Punjab: Beautiful horse serving in flood-affected Mand

Punjab: In flood-ravaged Sultanpur Lodhi, the figure of a horseman emerges like a fairytale figure. While tractor riders bravely navigate the rough and uneven terrain of unpaved roads, Satnam Singh and his mare, Rupa, navigate the difficult terrain with quiet pride and determination. Residents of Bhaini Bahadur village, Satnam and Rupa have become symbols of resilience and the “chaddi kala” (never-give-up spirit) that characterizes the flood-affected people of this region. Rupa is the only horse to “seva” during this difficult time. Satnam’s father, Joga Singh, also went viral as “Bapu,” always smiling despite the floods. Satnam, a school bus driver by profession, refused to abandon Rupa when his family decided to sell their two other horses—Noori and another horse, also named Rupa. Now, Satnam and Rupa travel miles to deliver food to the drivers of earthmoving machines strengthening dams around Baupur. This is their second flood experience; the first was during the 2023 floods.
Four-year-old Rupa has swum across swollen rivers, helped neighbors carry supplies, and delivered anchors in 5-foot-deep water when boats were unavailable in the area. “Rupa follows me wherever I go,” Satnam said. Inspired by an earthmoving machine driver who had to skip meals due to working long shifts at the dam, Satnam began feeding the drivers after the waters receded. “My grandfather was the first in the family to own horses. When the family decided to sell them, I couldn’t bear to part with them. People think we take care of them, but in reality, they protect us,” Satnam joked. “I go around with Rupa at odd hours to check on the neighbors. When I return from school, she whines and asks me for food,” Satnam said, adding that he is putting his five-year-old son, Armandeep Singh, through elementary school.