Why in news:

• Bhai Naeem Tahir Lal, a descendant of Bhai Mardana, has shed light on the challenges faced by his family, who are descendants of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's lifelong companion. Amid financial struggles and cramped living conditions, appeals for support have been made to various organizations, including the Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.

Key Points:

• Bhai Naeem Tahir Lal, a descendant of Bhai Mardana, a prominent Muslim companion of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, has drawn attention to the hardships faced by his family. He has shed light on the living conditions of six families spanning the 18th and 19th generations of Bhai Mardana, comprising a total of 40 individuals, currently residing in cramped quarters in Lahore, Pakistan.
• Despite participating in religious events and receiving offerings ("bheta"), the families encounter financial difficulties due to the insufficient earnings. Bhai Naeem in this regard made appeals for assistance. These appeals have been directed towards organizations such as the Indian NGO Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
• Bhai Naeem has reached out to Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust, seeking financial aid and employment opportunities. Previously, the trust provided the family with financial assistance and employment opportunities in Dubai. 
• In addition to the Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust, Bhai Naeem has appealed to the SGPC and other Sikh organizations to construct a memorial dedicated to Bhai Mardana in Pakistan. While the SGPC provides a monthly scholarship to the family, further support is sought to address their housing challenges effectively.

Bhai Mardana Ji

• Bhai Mardana Ji was longtime companion of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first guru of the Sikh community.
• Bhai Mardana Ji was a Muslim by-birth who would accompany Guru Nanak Dev Ji on his journeys and became one of his first disciples and followers, and converted to the newly established religion.
• Bhai Mardana Ji was born to a Mirasi Muslim family, a couple, Badra and Lakkho, of Rai Bhoi di Talwandi, now Nankana Sahib of Pakistan.
• He was the seventh born, all other children had died at birth. He had very good knowledge of music and played rabab when Guru Nanak sung Gurbani. Swami Haridas (teacher of Tansen) was the disciple of Bhai Mardana Ji and learnt Classical Music from him.