Punjab is facing a grave humanitarian crisis as floods devastate villages, submerge fields, and displace thousands of families. Amidst this calamity, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has stepped up its relief operations, proving once again why it is regarded as one of India’s strongest service-oriented organizations. With more than 1,700 Swayamsevaks on the ground, the Sangh has launched massive rescue and rehabilitation initiatives, reaching over 12,000 families across the State. Their efforts have not only provided immediate relief but also offered hope and reassurance to people who were left stranded with little or no help.
Relief Operations Across 41 Locations
RSS Swayamsevaks are actively engaged in relief work at 41 different locations across Punjab. Teams are distributing cooked meals, ration packets, drinking water, tarpaulins, blankets, folding beds, medicines, and mosquito repellents like odomos. Understanding the dependence of rural communities on livestock, they have also arranged for both green and dry fodder for cattle. In several areas, medical camps are being organized to cater to urgent health needs, ensuring that disease outbreaks do not compound the crisis.
Reaching the Unreached Villages
One of the standout features of the Sangh’s relief drive has been its commitment to reaching areas where government or external aid had not yet arrived. In Gurdaspur, Swayamsevaks transported trolley-loads of milk, sugar, rations, and medicines to ten villages that were completely cut off. In Kapurthala, entire teams delivered essential household items, candles, stomach medicines, and oral rehydration salts. Similarly, in Mukerian, volunteers provided assistance to families in flood-hit villages like Haled, Kolia, Simbli, and Mehtabpur, where water had risen to dangerous levels. Once the waters receded, Swayamsevaks organized cleaning and sanitation drives to restore normalcy.
Collaboration With Social Organizations
Punjab Prant Sanghchalak S Iqbal Singh stated that Swayamsevaks have been instructed to coordinate with social organizations to maximize relief efforts. Under the banners of Seva Bharati, Bharat Vikas Parishad, Vidya Bharati, Kisan Sangh, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Madhav Rao Mule Seva Samiti, and Sarhadi Lokseva Samiti, the RSS has expanded its network of aid delivery. This collaborative model has ensured that relief materials are distributed more efficiently and that no section of society is left out in the process.
Upholding the Spirit of “Sewa Parmo Dharma”
From carrying food on foot for hours to cleaning entire flood-hit areas, the Sangh’s Swayamsevaks have demonstrated their principle of Sewa Parmo Dharma service is the highest duty. Their actions mirror a long-standing tradition of standing by citizens during natural calamities, whether in the Himalayan terrains of Uttarakhand, the plains of Assam, or now the flood-stricken fields of Punjab.
Selfless Service Amid Crisis
The devastating floods in Punjab have once again highlighted the importance of voluntary organizations in disaster management. While the government machinery plays a role, it is often grassroots organizations like the RSS that reach the unreached with speed and compassion. By providing food, medicines, shelter, and moral support, the RSS Swayamsevaks have not only aided thousands of flood-hit families but have also reinforced the idea that service to humanity transcends all boundaries. Their work stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of resilience and unity in times of crisis.