Owners of an Indian restaurant in Australia have cooked thousands of free meals for the victims of bushfires. At least 17 people have been left dead since wildfires started to rage through Australia in September. Australia goes through a fire season during their warmer months because the hot, dry weather and wind makes it easy for flames to spread. This year, the combination of 40C temperatures and strong winds has caused the fires to spread to the degree that the country's military had to be deployed in evacuation procedures.
Kanwaljit Singh and his wife Kamaljit Kaur owners of the Desi Grill restaurant in Bairnsdale, Victoria, along with their staff have been cooking curry, rice and pasta for people affected by the bushfires. The bushfires have destroyed dozens of homes and resulted in one death in the area. Mr Singh has been living in the area for the last six years. They have been working with an NGO 'Sikh Volunteers Australia' to distribute the meals to people living in temporary shelters as well as firefighters.
"It's terrible out there. People are severely affected and they need food and shelter. It's our duty to serve them when they need us the most.
"We follow the Sikh way of life. We are just doing what other Australians are doing today, and that is to serve and pray for the people who have been hit hard by these terrible bushfires," said Kanwaljit Singh in a statement to SBS Punjabi.
The bushfires crisis has destroyed more than 4 million hectares, damaged homes and stressed out wildlife in the country.
