How often do you offer help to those in need? A New Zealand Sikh student broke strict religious protocols by taking off his turban to help save a child who was hit by a car.
The 22 year old student, Harman Singh, has been called a hero by many as he removed his turban to cradle the bleeding head of the five year old boy who was struck down on his way to school in Takanini, South Auckland.
According to NZ Herald reports, Singh had heard the sound of the accident when it took place outside his home, he rushed outside to find out what happened when he saw the boy.
“I saw a child down on the ground and a lady was holding him. His head was bleeding, so I unveiled my turban and put it under his head” he said, “I wasn’t thinking about the turban. I was thinking about the accident and I just thought, ‘He needs something on his head because he’s bleeding’. That’s my job – to help.
“And I think anyone else would have done the same as me.”
The mother of the boy who had been knocked down came shortly after the accident and Singh and other embers of the public styaed until emergency services arrived.
Gagan Dhillon, who also stopped to help was on his way to work when he saw the accident.
Dhillon said: “There was enough help as there was, but being a Sikh myself, I know what type of respect the turban has. People just don’t take it off – people die over it. He didn’t care that his head was uncovered in public. He just wanted to help this little boy.”
The child who was on his way to school alongside his elder sister was reported to be in stable condition in the hospital after he was initially thought to have sustained life threatening head injuries.
A resident nearby said she heard a vehicle skidding, and then a big bang.
One of those who arrived on the scene to help, Charmaine Tuhaka, described how she and two others held the boy still to prevent him moving and further injuring himself, while his sister stood in tears.
The hero, Singh, who removed his turban thereby breaking strick Sikh religious rules, has been hailed by people from around the world for the heroic act. He has received thousands of messages and comments on his Facebook page.
“Great symbol of – we are all human beings. We have our individual beliefs, but at the end of the day to care for one another is key,” Ashleigh Garrett said on Facebook.
“This is why I have high respect for the Sikhism faith. Awesome job mate!,” one person commented.
“Humanity before religion. Nice one buddy,” another said.
Mr Singh is a citizen of India and is in Auckland studying a business course. He said the praise he has received has been overwhelming.
“Thousands of people have said ‘well done’. I was only doing what I had to and trying to be a decent member of the community,” he said. “Thanks to all who messages, calls… thanks all the worldwide Facebook members who messaged me. I think i just did my job nothing else.”
