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Regenerative Tourism - TRAV-272-0NB

Submitted to : Professor Megan Swan

Submitted by:

Hardip Kaur

Komalpreet Kaur

Komal

Priyanshu

Jainam.

Location: Sikh Spiritual Centre, Toronto

Date—30 July 2025

Time—1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

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As a group of travel and tourism students who are enthusiastic about sustainable methods and community involvement decided to volunteer at the Sikh Spiritual Centre Toronto, a hallowed and welcoming location where the Langar

(free communal kitchen) is upheld daily.

In keeping with a centuries-old Sikh custom based on equality, compassion, and food security, we actively participated in the preparation and serving of meals for the Langar for more than three hours on 30 July 2025. The values we encountered have strong connections to several Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations:

By assisting with the daily feeding of hundreds of individuals, we can achieve following SDGs:

2: Zero Hunger. Goal

10: Less Inequalities: Regardless of status or religion, everyone eats together.

12: Efficient cooking and little food waste are examples of responsible consumption and production.

Our knowledge of community-based tourism, sustainability in cultural contexts, and volunteer tourism has been greatly enhanced by this experience.

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Volunteer Work Day at Sikh Spiritual Centre 

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Volunteer Work Day at Sikh Spiritual Centre 

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During a planning discussion, our group came up with ideas for sustainable volunteer possibilities. The Sikh Spiritual Centre was unanimously chosen because of its strong influence and cultural importance. We got in touch with the volunteer coordinator at the center, who approved our participation.

In the Gurdwara, we dressed appropriately and showed cultural observance by taking off our shoes and covering our heads. When we arrived at 1:00 PM, seasoned volunteers greeted us and gave us an orientation.

We alternated between the tasks of cutting, cooking, cleaning, and tray preparation. The kitchen was quiet, welcoming, and incredibly productive; nobody was left out, and everyone understood their responsibilities.

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Helping in drying trays for langar service as part of selfless community work (seva) for the people who visit to eat food.

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Amid the peaceful atmosphere of the Gurudwara, we helped with preparing langar by chopping paneer — a small act of service that brought a deep sense of calm and purpose.

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The place where everyone sits together and shares a free meal in unity and peace.

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Everyone is working together in the Gurudwara kitchen, kneading dough and making chapatis for langar. It’s a moment of teamwork, love, and selfless service.

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Everyone is working together in the Gurudwara kitchen, kneading dough and making chapatis for langar. It’s a moment of teamwork, love, and selfless service.

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In the Gurudwara kitchen, we peel potatoes, slice cucumbers, and chop onions and tomatoes with care. Every act of Seva here is rooted in humility, community, and sustainability—ensuring fresh, home-cooked meals that nourish both people and the planet.

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On July 30, 2025,

I volunteered at the Sikh Spiritual Centre in Toronto for four hours. It was a really good experience and gave me a chance to do something helpful with my friends.

I was mainly helping in the kitchen, drying and organizing the steel trays used for langar (the free meal served at the Gurdwara). Even though the task was simple, it felt good to know that I was part of something that supports the community.

Everyone working there showed a lot of respect and teamwork. We all wore head coverings and followed the traditions of the Gurdwara. It made me feel more connected to the culture and the idea of seva—doing selfless service without expecting anything in return.

This small act of helping made me realize how important it is to support places like this. I’m glad I got to be a part of it, and I would definitely volunteer again if I get the chance.

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The experience of volunteering at the Sikh Spiritual Centre Toronto was enlightening and profoundly fulfilling. Rolling rotis with senior volunteers who graciously shared their methods and anecdotes was one of my favorite experiences. Seeing people from different backgrounds eat together and assisting with the food preparation made me realize the impact that small deeds of kindness can have. The orderly and courteous atmosphere in the kitchen particularly touched me; everyone had a part to play and nobody was left out.

This event got me thinking about how food can unite people and foster an environment of equality and decency. It also demonstrated to me that community, respect, and inclusivity are just as important to sustainability as the environment. In a genuine and useful way, the Langar embodies important SDGs including Reduced Inequalities and Zero Hunger. As someone just starting out in the tourist business, I can now see how moral, locally based experiences like this might encourage more considerate and responsible travel.

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We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Sikh Spiritual Centre Toronto's staff and volunteers for their kind reception and direction. Both our professional and personal development were profoundly impacted by this event.

As evidence of our involvement, we are providing the organization's formal acknowledgment letter.

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Group Takeaways – Building Social Sustainability Through Volunteering

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Group Takeaways – Building Social Sustainability Through Volunteering

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Working as volunteers at the Sikh Spiritual Centre taught us that sustainability is about people's well-being, culture, and dignity, not only about eco-practices. We have discussed hunger and inequality in class, and the Langar is a prime example of inclusive, community-driven solutions that tackle these issues.
Our main conclusions are:
- The strength of group efforts and seva (selfless service)
- How religiously motivated projects support social sustainability
- How awareness of ethical tourism is increased through volunteering
Our conviction that, as aspiring tourism professionals, we must support local communities, respect cultural customs, and lead with compassion and inclusivity was reinforced by this encounter.

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On 30th July, I had the opportunity to serve at the Gurdwara, where I assisted with drying dishes and helped with other tasks as needed. It was a truly fulfilling experience to contribute to the seva and be part of the community effort. Serving in the Gurdwara not only gave me a sense of peace and purpose but also deepened my connection with the values of humility, compassion, and unity

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As a group, we volunteered for four hours at the Sikh Spiritual Centre, where we participated in preparing and serving meals in the Langar. This collective experience allowed us to witness how community-based efforts can promote equality, kindness, and sustainability. The activity aligns with several UN Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by providing free meals to all, SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) through inclusive service without discrimination, and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by offering plant-based meals with minimal waste. This experience showed us how cultural traditions and teamwork can support meaningful local and global impact.

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Making Cultural Breads – Reviving Heritage Through Community

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Making Cultural Breads – Reviving Heritage Through Community

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Volunteering in the Gurdwara’s kitchen to knead dough and shape traditional breads (rotis) reminded me how cultural practices can become powerful tools for sustainable tourism. This hands-on experience not only preserved culinary heritage but also fostered community bonds, echoing regenerative tourism's goal of restoring local culture and encouraging respectful visitor participation in sacred traditions.

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 Peeling Potatoes – Nourishment Through Service

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 Peeling Potatoes – Nourishment Through Service

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Peeling potatoes for snacks may seem simple, but it reflected the Sikh principle of seva (selfless service). In the context of regenerative tourism, such volunteer work supports sustainable food systems by minimizing waste and maximizing community engagement. It fosters responsibility in travelers to contribute to local well-being, not just consume it.

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Cutting Paneer – Connecting Through Shared Responsibilities

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Cutting Paneer – Connecting Through Shared Responsibilities

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Slicing paneer in a communal kitchen setting showcased how shared labor sustains sacred spaces. In regenerative tourism, such involvement creates deeper human connections and strengthens the social fabric of host communities. Rather than passively observing, we became active contributors to a living tradition that prioritizes inclusivity, care, and sustainability.

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Komal’s Reflection – Serving with Purpose for a Better Tomorrow

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Komal’s Reflection – Serving with Purpose for a Better Tomorrow

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Volunteering at the Sikh Gurdwara allowed me to experience the true essence of (seva) selfless service. Through preparing traditional breads, peeling potatoes, and cutting paneer, I realized how food can bring people together and strengthen communities. This experience connects deeply with the values of regenerative and sustainable tourism, where travelers give back to the places they visit. By actively participating in meaningful cultural work, I wasn’t just helping serve meals—I was helping preserve a tradition and support a system that feeds hundreds with dignity, care, and respect. It was a reminder that sustainability starts with service and continues through every act of kindness.