The story of Veerji Ka Dera is an inspiring tale of altruism and selfless devotion towards the needy and marginalized. The volunteer led self-motivated group have been providing freshly cooked food to nearly 3000 people for the past 30 years during pre Covid times without fail. Currently the number has shot up to approximately 7000 people.
Started by the late Tirlochan Singh Veerji, the organisation is now run by his sons Brig Premjit Singh Panesar and Kamaljit Singh along with a large group of volunteers both young and old.
They have been serving daily langar to migrants, poor labourers, homeless and needy people at six different places across the city for the past 30 years without fail. Along with it this they also provides free medical care to poor patients.
Interestingly much of the wheat and rice Used in the langar comes from a couple of farmlands that they have take on lease. It is cultivated by the volunteers themselves.
The Dera also runs a 65-bed hospital at Dashrathpuri where old and destitute patients are given shelter and provided treatment.
During the pandemic they diversified to oxygen langar for the critical patient.
It was an honour for us to have had the opportunity to document in 2019, the selfless service of this inspiring team whose ethos is compassion and love for all. So here is the story of great compassion through the eyes of very dear Sanju Veerji.