RESIDENTS of Southall were treated to free drinks this week as Sikh volunteers revived a 400-year-old tradition as part of Chabeel Week.

Hundreds of non-alcoholic drinks were served by members of the Sikh educational charity, Everythings 13, from the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Park Avenue.

Along with soft drinks and water, volunteers served up sweet rose milk, the traditional Chabeel drink.

Chabeel is a Sikh commemoration which marks the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru.

In 1606 the Guru was burnt alive on a hotplate by Mughal Emperor Jahangir. The Emperor was torturing him in an attempt to have Him change religious scriptures.

A collaborative effort by various Sikh groups, Chabeel Week was put together to bring back an old tradition and introduce the world to the Sikh ethos of Chardi-Kala (eternal optimism).

Chabeel Week volunteer Kal Singh said: “The Sikh ethos dictates we should not look to mourn or get consumed with hate when things like that happen. The right action would be to help others that might be suffering similarly.

“That is what Chabeel is about. Jahangir tried to make Guru Ji suffer in heat, so traditionally Sikhs in India try to make sure others don’t suffer in heat by offering them cool refreshments.”

Chabeel Week, which finished on Sunday, involved more than 20 Sikh groups working together to hold Chabeel events all over the UK, as well as in cities in Canada, Singapore, the USA and India.