COLUMNIST

LONDON – It is lunchtime atthe Karamsar Gurdwara, whereworshippers are tucking into thefree food. But Sikhs are not theonly ones enjoying the templemeals.Sikh Religious leaders reportthat an increasing number ofnon-believers are visiting theirplace of worship to eat, treatingthem as food banks while theeffects of austerity and economicslump bite, reported UK’sThe Independent Newspaper.The Sikh Federation UK estimatesthat around 5,000 mealsare now served to non-Sikhs byBritain’s 250 gurdwaras eachweek. They say the meals havebeen a lifeline for homeless peopleand overseas studentsswamped in debt.Harmander Singh, who worshipsat the Karamsar Gurdwarain east London and is aspokesman for the Sikhs InEngland think-tank, said: “It’snoticeable: more people comingin and more people coming frequently.Some are working inlow-paid jobs, cannot affordlunch and come here to subsidiseliving costs. They are alsowomen with kids.”He said that Sikhs welcome anyoneinto the gurdwara as long asthey are not drunk, they removetheir shoes and cover their head,adding: “It’s not a free buffet, it’sa way of serving the community.”In the Karamsar Gurdwara’sdining area, most people sit onthe floor while eating. The foodis made round the clock by volunteersand funded by donations. In Sikhism, only vegetarian food is servedin the gurdwara so the cuisine includeslentils, roti Indian bread, vegetables,yoghurt and Indian sweets.Foodbanks fed 346,992 people acrossBritain in the UK last year, according tothe Trussell Trust. The Sikh temples cannothelp that many people, but the serviceis welcomed. Among the 6,000 visitors aweek lunching at the Karamsar Gurdwarawas a group of overseas medical students.One student from China, who wished toremain anonymous, said: “My friendbrought me here. I found it very welcomingand peaceful. People were very friendly.They are taking care of me. I like thevariety of the food. I haven’t seen thisbefore I came to England. People seem tobe very nice.”Another student from India,who is Catholic, said: “For the last 10 dayswe have come here regularly. They have awelcoming attitude. People don’t discriminate.I was surprised to see a mini Punjabhere. The food is like home-cooked.”Amrick Singh Ubhi of the NishkamCentre in Birmingham and vice-chair ofthe Council of Sikh Gurdwoaras,explained how their local communitygroup does outreach work for people worriedabout visiting a place of worship.“Nishkam Help is one example of a projectto help feed people in the centre ofBirmingham which has had to extend itsprovision to three nights a week and wehave supported the initiation of similarprogrammes with gurdwaras in Leeds andGlasgow. “The Birmingham CommunitySupport Network has been set up to dealwith the increase in demand especially as aresult of the welfare reforms.“We are hearing and seeing an increase ofother nationalities frequenting gurdwarasspecifically for langar.“We have to realise that while we see ourrespective places of worship as a sanctuary,not all people will. We see that peopleof other faiths and none do mix, but thereis always that apprehension of “the other”and until we break down those barriersand start working together that will remainso.”Courtesy UK’s The Independent Newspaper