PRAYAGRAJ, Jan. 31 -- Cutting across barriers of caste, creed and religion, Sangam city residents stepped out to help lakhs of pilgrims who suddenly found themselves struggling to find their bearings following the stampede on January 29.

Residents banded together and offered succour to hapless pilgrims with whatever was available and whatever could be mustered. The sentiment powering this aid effort was 'these are our guests and we must help them in their time of need'.

In the true Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb spirit, members of the Sikh, Muslim, Hindu and other communities stepped out voluntarily and started helping pilgrims, providing them food, water and shelter.

Pathvinder Singh, a resident of Naini and a member of the Sikh community said ...