Parwinder Sandhu
New Delhi, Mar 13 (UNI) Even as fears of a cooking gas shortage ripple through the city amid the ongoing US–Israel–Iran conflict and global energy disruptions, Delhi’s gurdwaras have resolved to keep their kitchens burning round the clock, refusing to let the centuries-old tradition of langar falter even for a moment.
Feeding nearly 40,000 people every week, with the number crossing one lakh during weekends, community kitchens at prominent gurdwaras in the national capital, including Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib, have decided to continue their round the clock langar seva, with volunteers and management committees tightening consumption, tapping pipeline supplies and preparing contingency plans to ensure that no visitor leaves hungry.
The decision comes at a time when a shortage of commercial LPG cylinders has already forced several eateries across the city to shut down operations, while many others are on the verge of closure.
Speaking to UNI, gurdwara authorities assured that the uninterrupted flow of food in the langar would continue despite the supply constraints.
Stating that kitchens in the gurdwaras are connected to Pipe Natural Gas (PNG) pipelines, Harmeet Singh Kalka said there was no immediate shortfall of fuel.
“When the whole world was shut down due to COVID-19, we were able to manage everything and run the langar seva 24×7 at that time too. We have two major programmes lined up towards the end of March and in April, including Baisakhi,” he said.
Kalka added that while the kitchens are operating on PNG pipelines, they also have reserves of commercial gas cylinders as a backup.
“Despite everything being in place, we have instructed the sewadars that there should be no wastage of resources. We are able to manage everything. We haven’t had any problems yet,” he said.
As a precautionary measure, the gurdwara management has also written to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas seeking uninterrupted supply of gas cylinders to ensure the langar services continue without disruption.
In a letter addressed to union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Kalka stated that langar is served daily to devotees at all historical gurdwaras managed by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee.
“Due to the present war situation in the world, gas cylinder supply has been stopped by the gas agencies. In this regard, langar distribution is being affected in the gurdwaras,” the letter said.
He urged the ministry to ensure that the supply of gas cylinders to DSGMC remains uninterrupted so that langar distribution at the historic shrines continues smoothly.
