Punjab Grill ,Washington DC: Decided to Make It a permanent fixture to Deliver Lunch to Homeless People Downtown

         
                         Punjab Grill Chef Jassi Singh Bindra

                     
The luxurious Indian restaurant serves langar,a Sikh communal meal typically offered at temples, in Franklin Park. 

When Punjab Grill closed its dining room in March due to the COVID-19 crisis, management at the luxurious modern Indian restaurant in Penn Quarter quickly realized the kitchen would not be operating at full capacity for a while. As the team discussed what it could do with the resources available, the idea of creating Langar, a community meal offered in Sikh temples, came to mind even before the decision to start offering takeout and delivery.

For Chef Jassi Bindra, it was an obvious and meaningful idea. The pandemic is devastating to different people in many ways. “If we can help with something as important as hunger, it’s a blessing for everyone,” he says.

As a Sikh person, Bindra says that the “langar tradition is truly in my veins.” He has been involved in many langar meals at Sikh temples in his hometown of Kanpur, India, since childhood.

“Wherever there are difficult times, Sikh people try to reach [out] and provide langar to the needful,” Bindra says. ”Now when things are tough with the pandemic, the team is very passionate about providing an essential service to those in need.”

Chef Bindra and team have taken fresh meals to Franklin Park downtown nearly every day to serve lunch to 25 to 30 people experiencing homelessness. They continue to provide langar meals 5 days a week, usually Wednesday through Sunday.

The langar meal dishes change every day. Some popular items have been butter chicken and rice, chicken naan wraps, vegetable curry and naan, and chicken tikka sandwiches. Occasionally the team also serves non-Indian dishes such as pasta and noodles, keeping in mind the diverse community they serve. Staff members show up in masks and gloves to distribute dishes that are individually wrapped in takeout containers and offered with plastic cutlery.

Bindra says people receiving meals in the park have gotten to know the staff, identifying favorite meals and making requests.

“Most people are familiar with us now and everyone is courteous and kind,” he says. “They also know to maintain 6 feet within the line.”

The chef says that there have been times when passersby have seen them serving meals and spontaneously volunteered to join and help.

Punjab Grill first prepared langar meals over a year ago, when it was preparing to open. The restaurant recently decided to make it a permanent fixture.

https://dc.eater.com/2020/8/24/21354316/punjab-grill-serves-sikh-langar-communal-meals-homeless-people-downtown-franklin-park-d-c

Dr. Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi