Aussie firefighters battling bushfires get gurdwara-cooked meals

By Asia Samachar Team | AUSTRALIA |

Firefighters battling major bushfires across New South Wales found a moment of respite when local Sikhs brought them meals cooked at the local gurdwara (Sikh temple).

The heartfelt moment came as Hornsby Rural Fire Brigade volunteers had just extinguished one of the more rapidly-moving ones. As they managed to contain the fire, just 20km from Sydney’s central district business, they received a welcome respite: hot meals.

The meals were prepared at Guru Nanak Gurudwara Turramurra which was itself located in the danger zone as the bushfires spread. As the volunteers were preparing the meals, bushfires were raging about 2km away, according to one report.

“A huge thanks to the Guru Nanak Gurudwara Turramurra Sikh Temple Sydney for providing meals to our hungry firefighters!! Pictured here are the crews from Hornsby 1 and Hornsby 7 enjoying their meals after bringing the Canoon Road fire under control,” read an entry at the Hornsby Rural Fire Brigade Facebook page on 12 Nov.

In response, the volunteer had this to say, as shared on their gurdwara Facebook page: “Thank you for the amazing work you all do every day in protecting all of us. Hornsby Rural Fire Brigade you have done a great job as it was very difficult to control. We truly appreciate your efforts. May God bless you all.”

In Sikh parlance, the meals cooked at the gurdwara is called Guru Ka Langgar. Many gurdwaras and local bands of Sikh volunteers are known to provide free meals prepared either at gurdwaras or elsewhere for the needy and during emergencies.