We live in a world where people from different walks of life are coming forward to create a positive impact.
In the heart of India lies a world that is often forgotten, where access to healthcare, education, and even basic necessities like food can be a daily struggle for many people.
But there is hope.
Organizations dedicated to helping these communities are working tirelessly to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need.
United Sikh Mission’s Journey
The United Sikh Mission has been a part of this transforming journey of rural healthcare in Punjab, environmental sustainability, and international peace.
Healthcare Initiatives in Punjab
For over two decades, the United Sikh Mission has been at the forefront of providing free healthcare services across rural Punjab, with more than 250 free eye care camps in the last five years. To date, more than 600 camps have been held in 19 years which have served more than 3 lac people.
At these eye camps, people receive free eye examinations, prescription glasses, eye At these eye camps, people receive free eye examinations, prescription glasses, eye surgeries including cataract operations, medications, and eye drops. They also learn about general eye health.
Once every month, a free eye camp is held in villages such as Bias Pind in Jalandhar, Billi Waraich in Jalandhar, Latala in Ludhiana, and Bolewal in Gurdaspur.
Pandemic Response
When the pandemic brought life to a standstill around the world in 2020 and 2021, the United Sikh Mission continued their noble efforts. They set up food pantries and free food distribution in Jurupa Valley, California (pronounced as Hurupa Valley) and continue to serve an average of 500 meals every month.
During the pandemic, the United Sikh Mission served more than 3,000 meals every day for over a year.
In India, during the same time, they set up free medical checkups and eye-care camps for the farmers and villagers on the outskirts of India’s capital, New Delhi.
Educational Support
The United Sikh Mission also gave scholarships for the education of children and women in Punjab.
Environmental Sustainability
In 2021, under the visionary guidance of Sardar Rashpal Singh Dhindsa, the United Sikh Mission took a step beyond healthcare and initiated the selfless service of setting up solar power plants generating a combined total of 1.2 megawatts at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar, and other Gurudwaras in Punjab.
The goal was to ensure an uninterrupted and clean power supply around the clock while saving 33% of its annual electricity consumption at Sri Harmandir Sahib, which was previously generated using conventional energy sources.
The project was announced on March 22, 2021, at Sri Harmandir Sahib by the combined efforts of the United Sikh Mission and key supporters.
Solar Power Project Completion
The work was accomplished in a record time of 11 months in February 2022. Solar panels providing a total of 525 kW of energy have been set up on the rooftops of 11 buildings within the Sri Harmandir Sahib complex. Additionally, solar panels providing 600 kW of energy have been set up on the rooftops of buildings in the Bir Baba Budha Sahib complex, located in Thatha village in the Tarn Taran district, and solar panels providing 78 kW of energy have been set up at the Gurudwara Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Ji complex in Amritsar.
The executive committee of the United Sikh Mission, as well as supporting organizations such as Sikhlens, regularly visit the installation sites to monitor progress. Thanks to the generous support from the global community, this mammoth task was completed in just 11 months.
The United Sikh Mission was honored for their generous work in serving humanity, ensuring sustainability, and achieving environmental conservation by completing the entire project in record time.
The complete report was handed over on June 26, 2023, at the office of Sri Harmandir Sahib.
Humanitarian Efforts During the Pandemic
When the Pandemic brought life to a standstill around the world in 2020 and 2021
the United Sikh Mission continued their noble efforts,
They set up up food pantries and free food distribution in Jurupa Valley, California (pronounced as Hurupa Valley) and continue to serve even now every month which serves 500 meals at an average
During the pandemic, the United Sikh Mission served more than 3000 meals every day for more than a year.
In May 2021, the United Sikh Mission donated oxygen concentrators to the hospital of Sri Guru Ram Das University of Health Sciences, Amritsar.
Spreading Awareness and Education
To spread awareness about the ethos of Sikhism with a vision to plant the seeds of hope post 9/11, the United Sikh Mission participated in the prestigious Rose Parade of Pasadena, spreading awareness, fostering understanding in the United States, and initiating dialogue and sharing values about who Sikhs are and what the turban means.
Each year, the Sikh American Float shares Sikh values, beliefs, and history with over 50 million viewers worldwide.
Through education, we strive towards creating a community where Sikhs and other religious minorities can freely practice their faith without bias and discrimination. We envision a United States where Sikh Americans are respected and recognized as a vibrant and integral part of the fabric of this nation, appreciated for our shared values of service, social justice, and an unshakeable belief in freedom and equality for all.
Sikh American Float Participation
The float was featured for six consecutive years from 2015 to 2020 in Pasadena, California:
– Sikh American Float 2015: Highlighted 125 years of Sikh American history in the United States.
– Sikh American Float 2016: Depicted Vaisakhi, the harvest celebration in Punjab, India.
– Sikh American Float 2017: Highlighted core Sikh values of love, peace, freedom, and justice for all.
– Sikh American Float 2018: Depicted the institution of Sikh Langar or free kitchen.
– Sikh American Float 2019: Again depicted Vaisakhi, the harvest celebration in Punjab, India.
– Sikh American Float 2020: Celebrated our greatest hope for the future – our children.
Peace Initiatives
In 2005, the United Sikh Mission initiated a dialogue between the governments of India and Pakistan on opening the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Marg. The report, consisting of the complete infrastructural, operational, development, and security plans, along with the proposed budget, was presented to both governments in 2011. The committee formed, along with the global Sikh community, offered to complete the entire project with donated funds. John W. McDonald, former US Ambassador to the UN, was the key advisor who named it the South East Asian Peace Corridor.
The project was finally completed in 2019 and launched on the 550th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Continued Efforts in India
The United Sikh Mission continues to work round the clock in India, providing free healthcare, medicine, hospital care, and education to thousands of people in the remotest and most rural areas of Northern India each year.
Khalsa Health Centre
The Khalsa Health Centre, announced in March 2023, is in the making to make a difference in the lives of the under-served rural population. The hospital, a tribute to the loving memory of Mata Pal Kaur and Mata Swarn Kaur, is nestled in Bias Pind, just 200 meters from the Village Post Office on NH44, District Jalandhar, Punjab. This healthcare initiative is dedicated to serving those in need.
Situated on the Jalandhar-Pathankot Highway in Bias Pind, the birthplace of Rashpal Singh Khalsa, it is strategically positioned as a central point for adjoining states like Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, as well as nearby Punjab districts including Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Ropar, SBS Nagar (Nawanshahr), Kapurthala, and Tarn Taran.
Future Plans
The United Sikh Mission continues to reach new villages and plans to bring mobile healthcare vans to remote regions.
Appeal to Youth and Supporters
Our efforts are driven by generous patrons from across the world who value health and adult care and want to support the improvement of healthcare screening in their villages in Punjab and Northern India.
Together, we can create a better tomorrow for humanity.
Visit us at www.unitedsikhmission.org to learn more.
All our work and initiatives are available to be read and seen with clear transparency.
United Sikh Mission USA is a charitable organization registered in both India and the United States. All donations are tax-exempt.
Let’s come together to make a difference.