Indian taxi driver to be honoured for free meal initiative in Australia

Canberra: Scientists, entrepreneurs and actors of Indian origin have been hailed for making a mark in foreign countries, but sometimes the most ordinary people can pull off an extraordinary feat which goes on to inspire people across the world.

Not long ago, a man called Harman Singh was lauded globally for removing his turban to save a boy’s life after a road accident in New Zealand, and now a taxi driver is being honoured for his kind gesture in neighbouring Australia.

The man called Tajinder Pal Singh will be awarded the Northern Territory Local Hero award as part of the ‘Australian of The Year Award’ for his free meal initiative called ‘food van’, through which he has been feeding the poor and needy for the past four years.

After driving taxi for 12-hours, Singh would cook rice and curry in his kitchen to serve as free lunch for the underprivileged. He does this once a month ever since he was abused by a racist passenger, and was inspired to fight the negative prejudice against turbans.

Three other groups have started feeding the poor on Sundays after being inspired by Singh and he also refused monetary support from the authorities and instead asked supporters to start similar initiatives in their own communities.

The award will be given to Tajinder Pal Singh in January 2017.