SULTANPUR LODHI, Oct 4 — Hope has returned for a family in Sultanpur Lodhi that lost their home in last month’s floods. New parents Gurnishan Singh and Kuldeep Kaur, who were recently blessed with a baby girl, Jaapleen Kaur, had seen their Rampur Gaura village house destroyed in the disaster. Now, generous community members have purchased a plot for them in Passan Kadim village, safely beyond the dhussi bundh, ensuring security for the family and their two daughters in the years ahead.
On Thursday, community members, social workers, religious preachers, and singer Mankirat Aulakh jointly laid the foundation of the new home, promising to get it ready as quickly as possible. Aulukh handed over around ₹2 lakh to Jaapleen to assist with construction costs. Born on September 5, the baby girl already symbolizes resilience for her parents.
“I am so happy to meet the parents of this baby. They have not shown a sign of stress despite so many hardships. They have been in ‘Chardi Kala’. I sincerely hope that the floodbaby gives them permanent respite from such natural disasters in future,” Aulukh said, holding the baby in his arms.
Volunteers and community members involved in building the house pledged to make it livable within weeks so the family can move in while gradually completing the remaining work. The couple also owns some livestock, and Kuldeep Kaur contributes to the household income by stitching clothes.
Thursday’s efforts coincided with Aulukh’s birthday, which he marked by distributing 21 tractors to flood-affected villagers. Explaining why he skipped a cake, he said, “I cannot celebrate while my friend Rajvir Jawanda is hospitalised. My father was also unwell, and doctors had warned that his sugar levels were dangerously high. By the time I reached this holy town and began doing good work, my father was declared out of danger. I call it ‘guru di apaar bakshish’.”
Through this gesture, Aulukh and the local community have turned a personal tragedy into a story of solidarity and hope.
