The first time Amarjeet Singh caught our attention was when an item in the media appeared about a Sikh gentleman, who was a school cab driver, ferrying children from their homes to school and back, in his Maruti Ritz Uber. This was in the summer of 2021 when COVID was raging globally and almost everything except essential services had shut down in the lockdown.
Like millions of others, Amarjeet had neither any work nor income but seeing the scenario around him – he decided to provide free rides in his small white car to patients needing hospitalisation, or upon release, going home. These numbers, he recalls were few as it was mostly a one-way ride.
R – MSDB Amarjeet Singh and family
Used funds saved for kids’ education
Where did he get the money to keep his car running constantly, sometimes 24 x 7? And to continue to feed his family of four? Plus exposing himself to the ravages of COVID19?
An obviously concerned head of the family told his wife and children that he might be a potential Covid19 carrier. To which Avneet, his then 8-year-old daughter, replied, “Papa, if something happens to us, at least we can tell Waheguru that we did the right thing.” Also in agreement were his wife Jasbeer, 47, and three children Khushmeet, 24, Parmeet, 23 and Avneet, 13. This motivated Amarjeet, 56, to continue doing so.
Funds were imperative. Initially, Amarjeet withdrew Rs. 1.5 lakhs from the eight lakhs he had set aside for his children’s education. And started transporting patients free across Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad and Noida in his oxygen cylinder fitted car. About the money spent, he simply says, “Waheguru phir de dega (God will give again)”.
Amarjeet then lost track of days and nights as word spread about this man’s mission. His small car was painted over with FREE AMBULANCE/COVID PATIENT and his mobile number, to give more visibility to the services he rendered in spite of adverse conditions.
When we first spoke to the soft-spoken Sikh gentleman and realised he needed help with funds, we – the Gurugram based Central Park-1 residents – were glad that our collection helped him continue his work. It was the start of what has become a familial bond. Amarjeet Singh, accompanied by his son Parmeet, continues to be a regular, welcome visitor to our condominium.
Delhi-born Amarjeet Singh, after schooling from Salwan Senior Secondary School, started his career as a member of Equipment Maintenance in Standard Electrical Industries. “When we shifted to Gurgaon in 2012, as commuting to Delhi was difficult, I invested in the taxi business, but unfortunately met with a financial recession. This led to driving an Uber cab, which I consider the turning point in my life,” he highlights.
C – MSDB with Santa Claus
R – MSDB Karate class
Teaching Covid Orphans
Keeping up to his earlier promise, Amarjeet has since dedicatedly been educating Covid-19 orphans. The students are provided with uniforms, books and stationery funded through other NGOs and residential communities like ours who contribute in cash and kind. Much also goes towards improving the lives of Covid widows as well.
In July 2021 the NGO Mission Sarbat Da Bhala (MSDB) was established and registered as a charitable trust. “The title, literally, Welfare for All, was inspired by the Sikh principles of Selfless Service (SEWA). We continue serving the community with our free hearse (Shav Vahan), and an ambulance service that has become my identity in the NCR.”
Our Numerous Supporters
Amarjeet briefly wants to acknowledge organisations that have supported him and his work from the start. “First on my list is The Khalsa Aid which provided us with an e-rickshaw, a boon during our fundraising drives. The Tata Magic Ambulance while very useful, unfortunately due to its poor suspension, is not preferred by patients. It was converted into a free mortuary van. Next, the Hemkunt Foundation, has provided us oxygen concentrators, face masks, gloves etc. since the Covid period.”
Delhi-based Collectors Gadgets Limited, as part of their CSR initiative, has generously sponsored our education program for a period of five years.
MSDBs numerous ongoing and ad hoc projects include another free education vertical. The Gurumukh Shiksha Mera Adhikar, started with five underprivileged children in 2021, currently has 110 students, and moving on to expand in the future. A free, healthy midday meal is served daily. The entertainment aspect includes celebrating multireligious festivals, national days, and combined monthly birthdays for the students.
Amarjeet Singh appeals to his readers: “To run this mission, funds are constantly required. These are generated in many forms including the campaign Raddi Se Unnati. We collect scrap from homes and sell to dealers. Yet, ground reality is that we need to procure books, stationery, uniforms, desks, benches, boards and pay teachers salaries. A mini school van would help pick up and drop our students. Since 2021, during winters we continue our drive to serve tea and biscuits and give blankets and woolen clothes to pavement dwellers.”
While Amarjeet MSDB, and its activities, he is no longer alone in this. His daughter Khushmeet and son Parmeet have joined him. Khushmeet says, “I really enjoy working in an NGO, especially in our Vertical Education. During my graduation, I also completed a B.Ed, and now I’m pursuing my Master’s degree alongside. When I started teaching, the kids who came to us were garbage collectors. Totally illiterate. I started with basic subjects like Hindi, English, and Maths. Today, they are studying in English-medium. Seeing them now brings a sense of joy, a feeling that my hard work has truly paid off. The most enjoyable moment for me is when the blessings I receive are reflected in their smiles. When they feel happy, seeing me, it brings me immense joy.”
Son Parmeet, mature for one so young, reveals he “dropped schooling at 17 when in Class 9 due to financial crisis. Am now pursuing my B.Com 2nd year at Open University. Having helped my father for almost five years now, I feel it is an honour to help improve lives of those less fortunate. Also, it gives me great satisfaction to spend maximum time working towards such activities. I would earnestly like to make it my career. Especially to continue the health care program for the public.”
A dedicated Amarjeet Singh ends his interview with “We don’t know which incident in life will have what effect on us, how it will awaken us. But it is true that often an unexpected event brings such a change in one’s life that we find a goal for our future.”
MSDB led by its Founder, his family and supporters, has accomplished many noteworthy responsibilities during this philanthropic journey. Determined to implement numerous ambitious ideas that are in the pipeline, Amarjeet Singh continues to be tireless in his mission.
C – MSDB Dancing
R – MSDB Notebooks
Contact
Amarjeet Singh
Mobile +91 79828 2408
Email [email protected]
Parmeet Singh
Mobile +91 85069 9983
Email [email protected]
Amita Sarwal
After practising homoeopathy for 10 years, Amita Sarwal changed her career path. Since 1973 she has been writing on lifestyle, personalities, architecture, interiors and travel. In Singapore, she was an Editor with Editions Didier Millet for pictorial encyclopedias, books and magazines. Her personal milestone continues to be The Spirit of SKV – Chronicle of a Girls’ School, to mark the Golden Jubilee (2006) of her alma mater, Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya, Gwalior. To showcase the exemplary work being done by Changemakers / Unsung Heroes, Amita now focuses on showcasing how they are elevating lives of socially disadvantaged.