It’s 11 pm on December 31, mercury creeping toward 1.1 degrees Celsius, the lowest in the capital in 15 years. At the Singhu protest site, farmers are preparing to ring in the New Year with hymns from the Gurbani, hot tea, and some gusty slogans.
Hundreds walk to the stage, which has been growing steadily since the protest began more than a month ago, to light candles on its bars. Others sit across from him, not yet ready to get back to their tractor cars at night, while police personnel keep watch.
Some march with candles to pay tribute to Guru Gobind Singh, while behind the scenes, between 20 and 30 men and women decorate a palanquin for the ‘Nagar Kirtan’ at 5 am. A short distance away, a group of people decorate a tractor with orange flowers for a procession alongside the kirtan.
When the hands of the clock approach midnight, some get thoughtful. Gurdeep Singh (40), a former army turned farmer from Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, says he has been alone on the Singhu border since his wife and son returned after the latter fell ill. Loneliness is painful, he admits. “My children like to watch television and eat cakes or pies to celebrate the New Year.”
Gurtej Singh, however, does not see himself alone. “We are here for a cause and we will celebrate all the festivals together. There is a sense of brotherhood and we all hope that the new year brings glory to farmers. “
Just before midnight, slogans are raised against the Center for its refusal to repeal the agricultural laws, in addition to “Jo Bole So Nihaal, Sat Shri Akal” and “Kisan Ekta Zindabad”. These give way to cookie popping, singing Punjabi songs, sharing candy and bear hugs as the date changes to January 1, 2021.
While many wander off to video call families at home, greeting young children on the phone screen, Gurdeep goes to his cart to talk to his wife, before spreading out a mattress and laying down with his friends.
In one corner, the peasants observe a minute of silence to mark the protesters who died, most of them due to natural causes in colds or accidents on the road, and two of suicides.
Of the many langar that serve food, some remain open, producing hot pakodas and chai. Those industrious enough to store sweets on this big night will see them fly.
As it gets colder, the protest site is dotted with small sore throats everywhere except for heaters around a few carts. Until 1 a.m., there is a constant hum of gurbanis in the background.
Then, slowly, the farmers begin to retreat to their tractor wagons, huddled under blankets they bring from home, with plastic sheeting covering the vehicles for extra warmth. Several organizations have also distributed blankets at the protest site. Those who do not have vehicles move to the tents set up on the road, sidewalk or divider. Some more courageous simply unfold on the main stage, not caring about the cold.
By 5 a.m. the next day, the protesters already began to agitate, with Khalsa Aid volunteers and several young people preparing hot water and fixing heaters for the women and the elderly.
Rajbir Singh, 27, from Fatehgarh Sahib, recalling the extreme cold of the previous night, says: “Hot water is for whoever wants to wash. We also make tea and serve cookies. “
Among those preparing for a langar for about 500 people is Balvir Singh of Ludhiana, 70. The arthritis patient has developed a cold outdoors, but is more interested in talking about the killing paneer he is preparing to ring in the new year.
“For us, it is another day on the calendar. All I want is for others to feel happy; I see sad faces because people are not with their families. I made pakodas at 11pm last night; more than 100 people came to my tractor to have that, ”says Balvir, adding that every night, he stock up on vegetables so he can start cooking early in the morning.
All over the place, preparations are being made for poori-aloo, sarson ka saag, sweet rice and gulab jamun.
At 6 am, the ‘Nagar Kirtan’ has started and the site of the protest is at full capacity again. Some farmers sit near the stage to listen to prayers, others address an impromptu gurudwara that has appeared.
At a medicine stand are Sarbjit and her friend, who came to the protest 10 days ago from Mumbai. It’s not easy being here, admits Sarbjit. “At 6 am, we walked a kilometer to access a clean bathroom. Throughout the day, we avoid liquids. “However, winter of a type the two of them have not seen before has not hurt their resolve.” Last night, we did not party, but our josh was high, “he laughs.
At 11 am, farmers take a ‘Palki Sahib’ and ‘Nagar Kirtan’ to the street. The Palki is decorated with flowers, with the Guru Granth Sahib in the center.
Dr. Rajpreet (40), a Mohali dentist who has been to the Singhu border since November 26 and has performed more than 3,000 tooth extractions at the site so far, says: “It was beautiful. We saw it happen … This new year has been very different, but I am glad that we are here ”.
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