Local gurudwaras in Pune have joined hands and are preparing food for more than 5,000 army aspirants from poor families, who have come to the city for a territorial recruitment drive, The Indian Express reported on Tuesday, 8 January.
The 101 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army Maratha Light Infantry (MLI) who is conducting the two-day recruitment drive, saw over a thousand of aspirants applying on 7 January, and are expecting the number to swell on Tuesday. However, as most of the aspirants come from poor families, many have taken refuge on the city streets.
Speaking to the daily, Raj Singh, member of the Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar in Pune Cantonment area said that the community is arranging food for more than 5,000 people while they are also distributing T-shirts, blankets, and other amenities among these candidates.
“Most of these aspirants come from poor families. They do not have much money in their pockets, no blankets or proper clothes for winters. We are doing our best by providing them food and clothes.”Raj Singh, Member of the Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar
One of the aspirants, 23-year-old Santosh Pawar from Yavatmal said that it is understandable that the Army is not obligated to provide services to the aspirants but help from gurdwaras “are crucial for us all.”
Singh further told IE that NGOs and other communites have also joined the cause as the number of aspirants is expected to rise on Tuesday. He added that Isha Foundation distributed 4,000 water bottles while ISKCON food relief foundation organised food stalls for the aspirants.
(With inputs from The Indian Express)
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