29 August 2017 marks - quite literally - a watershed moment in Mumbai’s history. Huge swathes of the city went underwater as the heaviest rainfall of the season lashed against it. Thousands were stranded for hours and locals summoned all their resources to help as many people as they could. The gurdwaras of the city opened their doors and hearts for all stranded citizens, providing them with shelter from the rain, and food.
A French family, headed by Arie and Sophie Boleslawski, were among those who sought shelter in the gurdwara in Dadar. Touched by the immense kindness shown to them, they left a note thanking the gurdwara for all the help. For them, the gurdwara was nothing short of a lighthouse in the dark. Check it out here:
Dear friends, we were lost in the rain and your gurudwara (sic) appeared like lighthouse in the dark. Not only you provided us with a shelter but you welcomed (sic) us with extreme kindness. One of our worst experience in India turned to one of the best and we learned a lot from you.The note left by Arie and Sophie Boleslawski
But the Boleslawskis were only few of the many people the gurdwara sheltered. Kulwant Singh, businessman and the vice president of the gurdwara committee, shared with The Quint how they prepared for the deluge and tackled it.
Yesterday I myself was stuck in Dadar due to heavy rains. I reached the Dadar gurdwara with a few other people. We started with hot tea and then started making khichdi. In the morning, we had already coordinated with other gurudwaras in Mumbai if they can serve food. People were completely drenched and were getting off stranded buses and walking in the rain. The hot cup of tea gave them relief. We then started supplying food to other gurdwaras also.Kulwant Singh, vice president of the gurdwara committee
The Boleslawskis, with three young girls, came to the gurdwara seeking shelter.
We had almost 300 to 400 people already. We gave everybody food, the Boleslawskis had already eaten. We gave bedding to everyone. There were people everywhere. Our gurudwara has three floors and still it was completely full. I opened the society office for them. They are our guests, they should go back to their country with good things to say about our country.
The Boleslawskis left for Aurangabad the next day.
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