Jagdish Lal Ahuja, popularly known asLangar Baba (1930s – 29 November 2021), was a social worker fromChandigarh, India.[1] He was known for offering free meals for hungry and poor people.[2][3] In 2020, he was awarded thePadma Shri, fourth highest civilian award of India, for his contributions in social work.[4]
Ahuja migrated to theDominion of India fromPeshawar,Dominion of Pakistan, at the age of 12 following thePartition of India. His family took refuge inPatiala and then inAmritsar andMansa.[5]
Ahuja served the poor and hungry people by organisingLangar daily for 2,500 people.[6] He started organising langar at thePostgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh in January 2000 when he was admitted there for treatment of cancer. He later offered free meals at the Government Medical College and Hospital, sector 32, Chandigarh as well.[2]
He offered free meals to people for the last 19 years prior to his death.[7][4] He sold a chunk of his 36 acres farm, a 9-acre farm, a plot of one kanal in Panchkula, and a couple of showrooms to fund the free meals.[2]
Ahuja was conferred thePadma Shri, fourth highest civilian award of India, in the field of social work on 26 January 2020.[5]