Rough sleepers in Preston got a sweet-tasting boost on Saturday (16 June).

The city’s Sikh community served hundreds of free drinks to the public as part of International Chabeel Day.

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Chabeel – a punjabi word – refers to a sweet, cool, non-alcoholic drink made from rose-water syrup, milk and ice.

A tradition in India the drink is offered to the public on hot days between May and June when Sikhs remember the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji.

Read more: How the Sikh community is quietly feeding the city’s homeless

Jasveer Singh Gill of the Sikh group said: Guru Arjan Dev Ji taught Sikhs to accept God’s will as sweet. Therefore, we honour the Guru’s burning by cooling everyone else. This is in line with the Sikh concept of Chardi Kala.

“In today’s climate, we feel spreading Chardi Kala is more important than ever.”