Gangasagar Mela is the world's second-largest human congregation at the confluence of the holy river Ganga and the bay of bengal after kumbh. A pilgrimage that interweaves the never-ending loop of uncertainty, faith, danger, and redemption. Since its inception, millions have embarked on this perilous pilgrimage, risking their lives with the belief that a dip at this holy confluence will wash away the sins of a lifetime. Hence the genesis of Khanar Vachan (the Gospel of the Soothsayer), "Sab Tirtha Barbar Gangasagar Ekbar."

IHA Foundation under the guidance of its Chairman Satnam Singh Ahluwalia, due to the extreme cold wave and weather, decided to extend a helping hand at various spots to the pilgrims who were on the way to Gangasagar. In order to provide assistance and support to them, IHA Foundation started a week long special drive from the eve of the Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda at various locations of Howrah, Kolkata and South 24 Parganas.

IHA Foundation assisted the pilgrims who were on route for the holy dip, on the occasion of Makar Sakranti with Blankets, warm clothes, medical assistance, first aid medicines, water and cooked food through their initiative of Food on Wheels.

Ganga Sagar Mela is said to be the convention of great souls like yogis, pious pilgrims, sadhus, sannyasis, spiritual tourists who come from around the world. Many Sadhus come from various holy places and the remotest forests and mountain caves in the Himalayas.

IHA Foundation was able to serve more than 35,000 devotees by providing them with warm cooked food and water, and distribution of more than 2700 blankets to the pilgrims which includes men and women who were staying at various temporary tents, which were set up on the way towards the Gangasagar. “We have always made it our mission to serve people, irrespective of the religion they belong to, as Sewa means selfless devotion of your service. We feel honoured that we could have the opportunity to serve a hot meal to the devotees who have come a long way from their abode to our state West Bengal and it becomes our our duty to assist people who have come to our home by extending them a helping hand .”, said Satnam Singh Ahluwalia, Chairman IHA Foundation.

Satnam Singh Ahluwalia further added, “We were also able to serve the pilgrims with the support of Howrah Police Commissioner Shri Praveen Kr Tripathi IPS and Howrah Police Commissionerate with the support of Bhuri Devi Charity Trust, who enabled our teams to reach certain pockets and extend our helping hand to them during these harsh winters.”.