FAITH IN SERVICE
OF OTHERS
We have been all seeing the images of
the horrendous destruction, of homes, businesses,
and infrastructure caused by Hurricane Katrina. The
scenes of devastation caused by the Hurricane along
the Gulf Coast in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama
and the inland communities is like reliving the nightmare
of the recent Tsunami in Southeast Asia. The unfolding
aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is revealing unimagined
heartbreaks. We are beginning to learn about the loss
of life and the livelihoods of tens of thousands,
and the shocking scope and magnitude of the disaster.
We cannot possibly fathom the despair and anguish
of the people who have lost everything.
We are witnessing the frustrations of lives disrupted;
people suddenly made refugees by the Hurricane, the
present inadequate governmental response to urgent
health needs and basic hygiene, and the availability
of food and safe shelter. The authorities are not
allowing residents to return to their homes and communities
to find the missing and unaccounted for loved ones
or companions, and pets. There is a breakdown of law
and order situation in the city of New Orleans, where
80% of City is under water and there is no electricity
and drinking water. The conditions of life and safety
of residents trapped in the City are deteriorating
by the minute. There is a potential for outbreak of
disease and misery index to rise to inhumane levels.
This is a humanitarian disaster. People in the devastated
region are going to need the boundless goodwill of
all Americans. Besides the prayers and universal expressions
of concern by people of every faith, culture, and
nationality, each of us need to step forward to restore
hope, rebuild infrastructure, and provide generous
support to meet urgent needs of hundreds of thousands
made homeless and ruined by the fury of a natural
disaster.
As Sikh Americans, we too have a special responsibility
to respond to this crisis for our fellow citizens.
Sikhs have a tradition and long history of seva, a
mandated and important commandment of our faith: "Vich
duniyan save kumayyia tan durgeh baisen paayeeay (Engage
in selfless service during your sojourn on Earth to
assure a place to be seated in the Court of the Lord
upon your return to Him." As individuals, congregations,
major successful Sikh businesses, and philanthropic
organizations we collected funds and provided material
resources and critical skills and services during
the Tsunami Disaster. Once again, individually and
collectively we must offer hope and healing in the
present catastrophe. Let us do all that we can: Collect
and channel funds through local Red Cross. Ask Sikh
American doctors/nurses to volunteer their time and
expertise to Doctors without Borders and the medical
network already in place in the New Orleans and other
effected areas. Lend a hand or equipment in the massive
cleanup operations. Harness Sikh American expertise
and resources in rebuilding the infrastructure to
bring life back to normal in communities and for people
shattered by the Hurricane.
This is going to be a huge task and is going to require
long-term acts of generosity.
Let us all be messengers of hope in this hour of crisis
for our fellow Americans. There will be light at the
end of this dark midnight; it will originate from
each of us working to offer our gifts as an act of
living our faith in service of others. Earn the gratitude
of the American people and blessings of Sutguru. The
Sikh scripture affirm: "God is Love. To love
God is to love all His Creation. Every act of service
is an offering to God."
Sikhpoint.com is proud to spearhead this effort and
calls upon all Sikh Americans and Sikhs around the
world to join in prayer and spirit to serve the cause
of humanity and reach out to the people along the
Gulf States shocked and devastated by Katrina.
Kanwal Prakash "KP" Singh
Indianapolis, Indiana USA
