Nofal Ek Umeed Trust Celebrates Diwali with Needy Families and Cancer Patients, Spreads Light in Homes by Distributing Solar Lamps
Shimla: The true spirit of Diwali lies not merely in lighting lamps, distributing sweets or celebrating with fireworks, but also in bringing happiness and hope into the lives of those who remain deprived of festive celebrations due to poverty and difficult circumstances. Embracing this spirit of service, compassion and humanity, Nofal Ek Umeed Charitable Trust celebrated Diwali this year with underprivileged families and patients undergoing treatment at the Cancer Hospital of IGMC, Shimla, along with their attendants. The organisation distributed sweets, traditional diyas, candles, firecrackers and solar lights among extremely poor migrant labourer families living in Shimla and surrounding areas. At the same time, a special milk-and-jalebi langar was organised at the cancer hospital to share the joy of the festival with patients and their family members.
Gurmeet Singh, President of Nofal Ek Umeed Charitable Trust, extended heartfelt Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas greetings to the people of the country and Himachal Pradesh. He said that the true happiness of festivals can only be experienced when joy reaches every section of society. He emphasised that the organisation has always been committed to bringing smiles to the faces of people who are unable to celebrate festivals in the usual manner due to financial difficulties and challenging circumstances. With this vision, the trust has continuously been undertaking various initiatives to support underprivileged and needy people.
Gurmeet Singh informed that last year, the organisation had identified several migrant labourer families living in Shimla and nearby areas. These families are primarily engaged in making brooms and are struggling to make ends meet. Their financial condition is so poor that they have to manage their entire year's expenses with just one month's earnings. Many families even struggle to arrange two proper meals a day. Their poverty is so severe that, at times, they are forced to survive on water mixed with green chillies. Witnessing their difficult living conditions, the organisation had decided last year to celebrate Diwali with them so that these families could also become a part of the festive celebrations.
He further explained that during last year's Diwali celebrations, members of the trust had closely understood the needs and difficulties of these families. Keeping that experience in mind, the organisation, with the support of the Sangat, made efforts to expand its service activities and make them more meaningful this year. This time, the initiative was not limited to distributing sweets and festive items. The trust also considered the daily requirements of these families and provided them with solar lights.
As part of the initiative, sweets, diyas, candles and firecrackers were distributed among the needy families. In addition, each family was provided with a solar light to ensure access to lighting during the night. The objective was not only to bring temporary festive happiness into their lives but also to provide a lasting source of light in their homes. Receiving solar lights brought immense happiness and excitement among family members. For them, these lights were much more than ordinary gifts; they represented a new ray of hope and brightness in their otherwise dark homes.
Gurmeet Singh said that when members of the organisation distributed solar lights, sweets and other Diwali essentials, the happiness on the faces of these families was clearly visible. They felt that society stood beside them and that someone genuinely cared about their happiness and well-being. He added that bringing even a little happiness into the lives of needy people is itself a great act of service. Members of the trust actively participated in the initiative and experienced immense satisfaction by celebrating Diwali with these families.
Apart from supporting underprivileged families, the organisation also organised a special service programme at the Cancer Hospital located at IGMC, Shimla. A special milk-and-jalebi langar was arranged for cancer patients undergoing treatment and their attendants. Gurmeet Singh said that regular langar services continue at Guru Nanak's Ghar, where meals are provided to needy people as part of the organisation's daily service activities. However, to make Diwali special for patients and their families, a special milk-and-jalebi langar was organised on the occasion.
He said that cancer patients and their attendants often go through tremendous mental, physical and financial hardships. During treatment, family members are compelled to stay in hospitals for extended periods, often missing important festivals and celebrations at home. The organisation wanted to ensure that these patients and their families did not feel deprived of the happiness associated with Diwali. With this objective, special decorations were arranged at Guru Nanak's Ghar, and preparations were made to celebrate the festival alongside patients and their attendants.
During the programme, women members of the organisation prepared beautiful and colourful rangolis at Guru Nanak's Ghar. The entire premises were decorated with colourful lights, traditional diyas and candles, creating a festive and cheerful atmosphere within the hospital premises. The women members enthusiastically took responsibility for the decorations and ensured that the surroundings reflected the warmth and spirit of Diwali. Special arrangements were made to involve patients and their attendants in the celebrations and make them feel included.
Gurmeet Singh further informed that the programme also included plans to organise activities involving firecrackers, sparklers and other recreational events with cancer patients and their attendants. The objective was to provide them with moments of happiness and help them take a temporary break from the stress and worries associated with hospital life. He said that it was a matter of immense happiness for the organisation to celebrate Diwali with people who need love, support, care and a sense of belonging the most during such difficult times.
He also expressed gratitude to the Sangat and all members of the organisation, stating that such humanitarian initiatives are possible only with the support and cooperation of society. He assured that the trust would continue its efforts to support underprivileged families, poor people and patients undergoing treatment in hospitals in the future as well.
The initiative undertaken by Nofal Ek Umeed Charitable Trust has delivered an inspiring message of humanity, compassion and social responsibility. The organisation has demonstrated that the happiness of festivals should not remain limited to our own families but should also be shared with those whose lives are surrounded by poverty, hardships and deprivation. Whether it is bringing solar-powered light into a needy family's home or putting a smile on the face of a cancer patient and their attendant, such small yet meaningful efforts ignite the lamps of humanity, brotherhood and selfless service in society.
The initiative has beautifully highlighted the true message of Diwali: the festival is not just about illuminating homes, but about bringing the light of hope into someone's life.