Bhai Puran
Singh ji in undoubtly the single Sikh Hero of this century who worked
totally selflessly all his life to provide the last hope to the mentally
and terminally ill patients. Whenever he use to see a deserted dead body (human
or animal) immediately he would prepare (by his own hand) a grave and
him human/animal a deserving respect of death.
He was to Sikhism, what Mother Teresa is to Catholicism. Against
the backdrop of violence and poverty in 1947 he established a premier
institute which takes care of sick, disabled and forlorn persons.
Whatever money and financial resources he could gathered he used it to
establish this institute. It is also believed that he was almost
nominated to receive Nobel Peace Prize in 1990 but by not
giving him prize it was the loss
of sick and disabled persons as well as nobel Prize committee.
His life story is a saga of grit,
determination, faith in the almighty and unending love for the
suffering humanity. A very brief sketch of Bhagat Ji's life is given
below
Bhagat Puran Singh, born at Rajewal, Distt. Ludhiana on June 4 1904., at the house of Chaudhari Chibu Mal and Mehtab Kaur. In an interview to Patwant Singh Bhagat Puran Singh discloses how he became a Sikh ,in his early life he use to travel a lot from village to village and would stay at a Hindu Temple. One day when he was staying at a Temple Brahmins told him to clean the temple and then when he was done they sat in front of him and ate the food without offering him., Incidentally next time he had to stay at a Gurdwara and Bhai ji of Gurdwara not only gave him good food but also a cot and a glass of milk afterwards., without asking for any sewa for Gurdwara. After this Bhagat Puran Singh didn't even thought twice and became a Khalsa.
He set out in life for the service of the suffering humanity- the greatest religion. He founded Pingalwara in 1947 with a few discarded patients. He was also a writer as well as publisher and an environmentalist. Pingalwara is a very big home of human service. Bhagat Ji's contribution in spreading awareness about the global dangers of environment pollution, increasing soil erosion etc are also commendable. His dedication was awarded with heaps of honours by many quarters. Prestigious among these was the Padamshri award in 1979, which he surrendered in the wake of the army attack on the Golden Temple in 1984. He left for his heavenly abode on August 5, 1992. We request you to kindly display the attached appeal at the maximum number of places so that the Sadh Sangat is made aware of the efforts being put up by this Society. Our Web site is presently under construction.
Here are some of the quotes of Bhagat Puran Singh ji
- Dignity in death is a birthright of each living thing.
- All Punjabi should at least sow a tree of "Bohar", "Pippal" and "Neem". These trees are essential to our eco system.
At this time Pingalwara is run by Dr Inder Jit Kaur, she is also President of All India Pingalwara Charitable Society(Regd). She has embarked upon a mission to produce a movie on the life of Bhai Puran Singh ji. Please spread this information.
Click here to read about pingalwara, established by Bhagat Puran Singh ji