New Delhi

A Sikh man Baljinder Singh has been serving the Muslim devotees on Fridays by doing seva (service) with just a miss of one day for the past 40 years in Amritsar, Punjab.

He voluntarily takes care of the jodas (footwear) of Muslims who come for Friday congregational prayers at Khairudin Mosque also called Jama Masjid that is situated in the narrow by-lanes of the old city.

The 60-year-old Baljinder is a vegetable vendor. On Friday, he winds up his work early and reaches the mosque before the devotees start arriving. He remains there till everyone leaves.

A Sikh by birth and faith, Baljinder says he is a secular person and believes in the dictum: humanity is above religion.

Besides,Baljinder feels by serving others, he is following the message of Sikhism’s founder Guru Nanak Dev of universal brotherhood and harmony.

People affectionately call him Bhaji and Sardarji. Baljinder Singh told Tribune newspapers that he had been serving at the mosque since his twenties.

He inherits the spirit of servicing others. He says his ancestors performed jodaa seva at the Golden Temple for 90 years.

“Doing seva is actually in my blood. I also do joda sewa occasionally at Baba Shayam Singh Dera at Atta Mandi Chowk during Sangat and at a temple at Majith Mandi during Krishan Leela programme,” he told the Tribune newspaper.

What does it get in return? To this question, Baljinder Singh said he gets a good amount of peace of mind.  “I get inner satisfaction and blessings from devotees that are pure in nature,” he said.

He has just missed his work for a day. On the days he is busy with personal work, his son Baldev Singh, who runs a general store makes up for his absence. His other son Verinder Singh lives in Malaysia.

People are awed by his sense of devotion. Imam of the mosque Maulana Hamid Hussain said, “I have never seen any person with so much selfless devotion in my life.”