Sant Seechewal has undertaken not just one or two, but many works to help people in this difficult time, showing his sensitivity and ability to feel the pain of others. He said that during floods, when the farmer – who feeds the entire nation – himself longs for food, the sight is unbearable. The homes, fields, and lives of farmers in Mand are submerged. Punjab as a whole has been facing this grim situation, and has united to overcome it, but the crisis is still not over.
It has been the 29th day since flooding began in Baupur Mand. Yet, the fury of the Beas river continues. At present, 46 villages in the Mand area, located on an island in the Beas river, are affected. Around 15,000 acres of land is under water here. The changed course of the river has started swallowing homes, forcing people to abandon them. To support the victims, the community is standing firmly beside them, and many families have been moved to safer places to save lives.
Rajya Sabha member Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal and his team worked for three days and three nights to build a massive boat for flood relief. This boat is capable of carrying large numbers of animals and heavy machinery to safe locations. Machinery worth lakhs has been saved, preventing massive losses for farmers already suffering under the flood. The boat has lightened people’s burdens not just materially but emotionally, giving them hope.
Not only that, Sant Seechewal and his team sail for about 10 hours every day delivering food, water, medicines, and other essentials to people stranded by floodwaters. While most politicians made short visits to flood-hit areas, Sant Baba Seechewal never left the ground after the disaster struck. He has dedicated the past three weeks entirely to flood relief in Mand – living among villagers, rescuing families, and distributing aid tirelessly. His efforts show that he is truly standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the people in this crisis.
For the last three weeks, every morning starting around 8:30 a.m. until 6 or 7 p.m., Sant Seechewal has been wading into the waters for people. He personally ferried trapped families, carried children in his arms, and helped them gather and transport whatever belongings they could save – including their animals.
Each day, dozens of people were rescued and brought to safety. By the end of August, nearly 300 animals were saved through his efforts. On August 22, he even cancelled his scheduled trip to England, choosing instead to continue the rescue work. “I cannot leave my people in such times,” he said.
After witnessing his commitment, many other politicians also visited the Mand region. Former cricketer and fellow Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh came on August 18. Punjab’s Water Resources Minister visited on August 20 – ten days after the flooding began. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann came on August 22. However, Seechewal remained there throughout, working with the people, and continues to stay with them. The local community is fully aware of his dedication.
“When our fields went under water, we thought everything was lost,” said farmer Nirmal Singh, looking at his ruined paddy crop. “But when Baba Ji (Seechewal) would arrive every morning in his boat, we felt we were not alone.” When people speak like this in times of dire crisis, it itself bears testimony to Sant Seechewal’s good deeds and shows that he truly stands with the people in their darkest hours.
