My childhood? (laughs).
I can say my childhood was good, though there were problems and struggles. But then, such is life.
I’d been abandoned as a baby and I grew up in Nari Niketan, an orphanage in Jalandhar.
I had my formal education at Nari Niketan school and did my graduation as a private student. But I can’t say I learned much from books!
I longed to learn only the teachings of our great sages and saints. Since my childhood I’d learned about the kind deeds of Bhai Ghanayya and the Sikh gurus, besides other saints.
Naturally, I became inclined towards serving all the creatures of the Almighty.
I know the pain of being abandoned.
So the day I found an abandoned baby girl and brought her home changed my life.
As I bottle-fed her and cared for her, I knew what I wanted to do in life. I wanted to give abandoned girls a loving home.
That’s how Unique Home was born.
I wanted to give the girls the best care and education, so that they will grow up to have a meaningful life in society. I was greatly inspired by Bhai Ghanayya. You know, he gave water even to wounded enemy soldiers!
So the trust that a few of us started together is named after him. This trust runs the Unique Home.
I always appeal to everyone to save “kukh te rukh’’ (the womb and the trees).
It’s heartening to see my baby girls learning to walk and talk.
It’s interesting to watch the older girls choose the name whenever we bring home a new baby.
I feel satisfied when the girls do very well in their studies.
I’m happy the older ones are settled well and some of them have got good jobs.
I’m touched when some of my girls say they would stay single and help in my work. But I insist that they need not.
The Padma Shri award inspires me to do more service for society. You won’t believe me, but I literally fell ill when people told me that I was getting the award!
Till that day, I’d been working behind the curtains and I’d not imagined such a recognition.
The award has increased my responsibility. I’m grateful to the Almighty – it’s all His grace.
But, I earnestly request with folded hands that people stop female foeticide.
Please don’t throw the baby away in the dust bins to be killed by dogs.
If you can’t bring her up, I will.
Reporting by Rajesh Moudgil, a journalist based at Chandigarh. Photos by Balwant Singh and Pardeep Pandit.
NOTE: In case of dire circumstances, Kaur requests people to call her or Unique Home at 88472 90229 / 98721 20664