PRENEETA SHARMA
When political leaders in flood-affected regions are unwilling to shoulder their responsibility and are preoccupied with blaming one another for their acts, a “VELA BANDA” from Shimla is busy helping the flood victims in Seraj in the Mandi district.
Known as “VELA BANDA,” Sarabjeet Singh Bobby helps mankind every day in addition to owning a shoe business in Shimla. Bobby abandoned all of his jobs the day he received the flash flood news, and without any publicity, he delivered two trucks full of relief goods, which brought much-needed help to struggling families. These supplies included 5,000 kg of rice, 1,800 kg of pulses, 1,500 blankets, 600 sleeping mats, and kitchenware valued at Rs 21,000.
Under the “Almighty’s Blessings” project, Bobby has spent more than ten years operating a free funeral van for unclaimed remains, setting up blood donation drives, and bringing happiness to elderly homes and orphanages. He also established Himachal’s first free cafeteria, known as “langar,” at IGMC Shimla in 2014, where underprivileged patients and their attendants receive daily meals, tea, and cookies.
