Radio Brisvaani
As the blazing bushfires wreak havoc in the nation, taking a toll on human lives and ravaging the flora and fauna, Indian-Australians are playing a vital role as good Samaritans, writes Deepika Banerjee
The deadly Australian bushfires burning unabated since September last year have had a devastating effect on the country. However, amidst all the destruction, the whole world has witnessed how the Australians have braved this natural disaster by showing solidarity and generosity to their fellow Australians. Even as citizens opened the doors of their homes to accommodate the hapless and petrified surviving animals and nursed them back to health, firefighters and volunteers joined forces to work tirelessly in order to combat the unrelenting fires.
The bighearted Indian couple
As poignant pictures of Australians forced to flee their homes due to the rampant bushfires have been doing the rounds, many good Samaritans have come forward eagerly to offer succor. Among these are the Indian couple, Kanwaljit Singh and Kamaljit Kaur, who are the owners of an Indian restaurant, Desi Grill, in East Gippsland area. Having witnessed the destructive fury of the deadly bushfires at close quarters, the couple has duly done the civic duty of helping the victims. They have been supplying free meals to the firefighters and the victims.
While many rescue missions are going on, the husband-wife duo have been cooking simple meals of curry and rice which are being distributed in relief centres and to those who come to the restaurant seeking a meal. They claim to have the capacity to cook for almost 1000 people every day and have a robust stock of rice, flour and lentils. Sikh Volunteers Australia, an autonomous social organization, has also helped the Desi Grill owners in distributing food where needed. The organization mirrored the noble initiative of the couple by setting up a food van in Bairnsdale Oval Relief Centre and serving all the meals on New Year eve. The volunteers were assisted by Kanwaljit and his wife. The commendable and selfless civic dedication of this couple exemplifies the kindness of Indian Australians.
Indian lady who stayed back to lend a helping hand
It had been more than a decade since Sukhwinder Kaur last set eyes on her sister back home in India. She was heading back home to meet her sister, who unfortunately, is in coma. Nevertheless, in a selfless act of sacrifice, the 35-year old Sukhwinder decided to cancel this much awaited trip and stay back to work as a volunteer, cooking meals for those made homeless. She has been carrying out this philanthropic work since December 30 as a part of Sikh Volunteers Australia.
On being asked regarding her decision to not go back to India and visit her relatives, Sukhwinder asserted that being an integral part of the Australian community, her first duty was towards her fellow Australians.
Indian hockey team pitches in
Indian celebrities have been quite vocal in offering their condolences and expressing their concern over the bushfire tragedy. A most benevolent gesture came from the Indian hockey team, which generously donated $25,000 to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal.
Apart from this, they have also sent two team jerseys bearing the autographs of Indian men’s and women’s team members. These are to be auctioned, and the funds raised will be used to augment the rescue and recovery efforts. The Hockey Australia Board expressed their gratitude for this generosity.
Tendulkar to coach Bushfire Cricket Bash team
Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, along with veteran West Indies pacer Courtney Walsh, has been invited by former Australian cricket team captain Ricky Ponting to coach the two teams, Shane Warne XI and Ricky Ponting XI, which would be playing against each other in a charity cricket match, Bushfire Cricket Bash, to raise funds for the victims.
Following the confirmation of Sachin’s appointment as the coach of the latter team, Ponting congratulated him on Twitter and lauded him for “giving up time for the cause”, to which Tendulkar posted, “Chose the right team and more importantly the right cause my friend. Hope that the Bushfire Cricket Bash will offer some relief to the people and wildlife in Australia.”
