AI Generated Summary
- From food drives at gurdwaras to million-dollar radiothons in Canada, Punjabis across the globe are uniting behind a shared identity and a common cause.
- A wave of solidarity is surging through the Punjabi diaspora as communities from Southall to Sydney mobilise to support families devastated by Punjab’s worst floods in decades.
- “The Sikh diaspora is a community that transcends borders with interconnectivity, solidarity and kinship,” said Andrew Milne, a senior lecturer at the University of Bordeaux-Montaigne.
A wave of solidarity is surging through the Punjabi diaspora as communities from Southall to Sydney mobilise to support families devastated by Punjab’s worst floods in decades. From food drives at gurdwaras to million-dollar radiothons in Canada, Punjabis across the globe are uniting behind a shared identity and a common cause.
Mobilisation Across the UK
In Britain, the response has been swift and deeply rooted in community institutions. Gurdwaras in Southall, Gravesend and Birmingham have launched urgent appeals, with volunteers working around the clock to sort donations of food, clothing and blankets. Sangat TV, the Birmingham-based Sikh broadcaster, has devoted continuous coverage to the disaster, urging viewers to contribute generously.
Charities with long-standing humanitarian experience are leading relief efforts. Khalsa Aid UK has deployed teams across Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Ferozepur and Abohar, delivering food, clean water and even animal feed to devastated farmers. United Sikhs UK has pledged to adopt entire villages, committing to long-term rebuilding.
The UK’s Punjabi business community has also stepped forward. Surya Foods, best known for its Laila Basmati brand, has partnered with World Food Aid to send relief parcels. East End Foods has signalled similar support. “Punjab has given so much to us and to the world,” said Surya CEO Harry Dulai. “Now, when it is hurting, we must stand by it.”
British politicians of Punjabi heritage have amplified the calls. Preet Kaur Gill MP described the destruction as “heartbreaking” and tied it to the climate crisis. Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Seema Malhotra and Navendu Mishra are being urged by community leaders to press the UK government for stronger engagement.
A Global Response
Beyond Britain, diaspora communities have launched large-scale campaigns. In Canada, Punjabi radio stations became fundraising hubs. Vancouver’s Red FM alone raised USD 2 million in two days, with callers directing their donations to specific villages. In the US, 176 Punjabi associations pledged to match donations to India’s Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, amplifying their impact.
European Punjabi groups in France, Austria and the UK have pooled resources to provide cattle to flood-stricken dairy farmers in Fazilka and Ferozepur, helping restore livelihoods. Meanwhile, gurdwaras in California, New Jersey and New York are serving as distribution centres for medical supplies and water purification kits.
Australia and New Zealand saw gurdwaras fill halls with rice, dal and blankets within hours of appeals. Even smaller Punjabi communities in East Africa and Southeast Asia have sent aid, demonstrating that distance has not weakened their connection to Punjab.
Cultural Icons Join In
The diaspora’s cultural stars are adding momentum. Singer Babbu Mann pledged his Canadian tour income, while Karan Aujla donated a rescue boat. Global superstar Diljit Dosanjh has promised to adopt ten villages in Gurdaspur and Amritsar for long-term rehabilitation.
Artists with strong UK followings, including Ammy Virk and Sunanda Sharma, have mobilised their fan bases. Virk vowed to support 200 families, while Sharma personally distributed 250 relief kits containing solar lights and tarpaulins, telling supporters: “These are not just people of Punjab, they are my extended family.”
Bollywood has joined the effort too. Salman Khan’s Being Human foundation sent rescue boats and pledged to adopt flood-hit villages, committing to long-term rebuilding efforts.
Beyond Borders, One Identity
What distinguishes this mobilisation is its transnational character. Scholars see in it the enduring strength of a global Punjabi identity. “The Sikh diaspora is a community that transcends borders with interconnectivity, solidarity and kinship,” said Andrew Milne, a senior lecturer at the University of Bordeaux-Montaigne.
For flood-hit families, the international outpouring offers hope amid despair. “The water has taken our homes, our crops and our cattle,” said a villager from Ferozepur. “But knowing that Punjabis everywhere are standing with us gives us the courage to rebuild.”
