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Jalandhar: When langar is already an integral part of the farmers’ protests at Delhi border and villagers are sending pinnis to keep them in good health, two NRI brothers have started serving almond langar for farmers. Around 20 quintal almonds have already been sent from Jalandhar and more are coming.
The almonds are being sent by California-based Tut brothers in the US. Originally from Paragpur village on the Jalandhar outskirts, Tuts are among big almond producers in the US and are sending these free through their trusted friends. Some other philathropists also sent dry fruits at the protest site. On Friday, cashew nuts and raisins were distributed.
“Our friend Jasbir Singh from Tanda in Hoshiarpur district wanted to serve almonds and approached me for providing these at half the price. When I learnt that he wanted to serve these in langar at the farmers’ protest venues, we decided not to charge anything and instead make it our contribution to a cause so important to entire Punjab,” said Ranjit Singh Tut when TOI contacted him on Friday. The four Tut brothers are known for philanthropic works, especially related to Sikh community.
In the first consignment, five quintal almonds were sent through Jasbir, and then more followed. “A few other close friends and relatives have also chipped in. I have asked them to provide almond bags to volunteers serving langar or working in other physical tasks,” he said.
“We have already sent around 20 quintal almonds and more would be sent,” said Ranjit’s cousin Ranbir Singh Tut, who is managing the operations here in Jalandhar.
“Earlier, we were getting shipments of unsheathed almonds but after demonetisation, a few of our containers were wasted as traders did not get these released and the dry fruit got spoiled. Then my US-based cousins decided to have machines here for complete processing and taking the almonds out and supplying in Indian market,” he added.
Videos of almonds and other dry fruits being served among farmers have already gone viral.
