Introduction, Aims and Objectives: |
Seva, Simran and truthful living are a few basic concepts of Sikh way of life apart from Daya, Dharam, Santokh, Sanjam and Nimrata. Those who start with Seva without expectation of any reward (Nishkam-Seva) and go on doing it, are bestowed with the boon of Simran from which follows the Truthful living and other qualities. |
According to Encyclopedia of Sikhism: |
"True seva according to Sikh scriptures must be without desire (nishkam), guileless (nishkapat), in humility (nimarta), with purity of intention (hirda shuddh), with sincerity (chit-lae) and in utter selflessness (vichon ap gavae). Such seva for the Sikh is the doorway to dignity as well as to mukti (liberation). "If one earns merit here through seva, one will get a seat of
honor in His Court hereafter." |
According to Sikh tenets, "You become like the one you serve". Therefore, for those who desire oneness with God, serving God and God alone is the prime way. But God in Sikhism is transcendent as well as immanent. The Transcendent One is ineffable and can only be conceived through contemplation. Service of God, therefore, only relates to the immanent aspect of God and comprises service of His creatures. Humanitarian service is thus the Sikh ideal of seva. |
Sri Guru Nanak has said: |
"Truth is above everything but higher still is truthful living". Thus seva is the first step to achieve the final goal of eternal peace. |
With the above ideals in mind, the idea of forming "Nishkam Sikh Welfare Council" was conceived by a few like-minded persons and it was formed as a "Non-Political" body with the sole objective of serving the humanity especially the helpless widows, orphans,
destitute etc. irrespective of caste, creed and religion. The Council also helps the able-bodied poor people by providing interest-free loans. |
Policy of the Council: |
Though the idea of forming the Council was conceived much earlier, but the November, 1984 happenings in the country accelerated its setting up and taking in hand the work relating to relief and rehabilitation of the affected persons. |
The emphasis of the Council in the relief and rehabilitation effort was not on distribution of ration or giving cash doles, but on making the people self-supporting by providing vocational, medical and educational assistance. Though initially due to availability of limited resources and difficult circumstances, the assistance was mainly provided to the affected families of November, 1984 happenings, especially the orphans and widows, but with the passage of time and slow and steady build up of resources, the assistance is being provided without any distinctions as per teachings of "Sri Guru Granth Sahib". The only visible change in the policy over a period of time is that the services, which were earlier directed towards the urban population, are now being oriented towards the rural folks, where the need is more. This is quite visible with Nishkam setting/taking up the following projects/services: - |
(i) |
Setting up of Mata Gujri Sukh Niwas at village Khanpur, Kharar (Punjab); |
(ii) |
Punjab Elementary Education Project (PEEP) in Patiala III education Block; |
(iii) |
Setting up of a Dental Clinic at Mata Gujri Sukh Niwas, Village Khanpur, Kharar (Punjab) |
(iv) |
Medical services in the villages around Mata Gujri Sukh Niwas, village Khanpur, Kharar (Punjab), with the help of Medical Van provided by Sadh Sangat of Bangkok, Thailand; |
(v) |
Computer education to children of the villages around Mata Gujri Sukh Niwas; |
Activities of the Council: |
Immediately after setting up, with aid from "Indian Express Relief Fund" and "Ajit Relief Fund" and philanthropic individuals/Trusts, Nishkam provided vocational assistance to about 300 families of Sultanpuri, Mangolpuri, Tilak Vihar and other areas of Delhi. In addition doors and windows were got fitted in houses in Mangolpuri and the jhuggies, which had been badly damaged and in some cases even burnt down in Sultanpuri and Mangolpuri were got repaired or even reconstructed to make them livable for their occupants. |
Thereafter, besides providing relief materials, ceiling fans in about 700 houses of widows of Tilak Vihar, Sangam Park, Raghubir Nagar, Garhi and Jahangirpuri etc. in Delhi were provided, and a number of rehabilitation projects were taken up brief details with regard to which are given in the brochure. With whole-hearted support of Sadh Sangat, the projects are still continuing and serving the suffering humanity as per teachings of "Sri Guru Granth Sahib". |
Nishkam also played a very positive and effective role: - |
(i) |
In getting jobs in Banks/Govt. offices/Govt. Schools etc. for the widows of November, 1984 happenings; |
(ii) |
In persuading Delhi Govt., not to recover the cost of houses allotted to widows of November, 1984 happenings. |
As and when the need arose Nishkam took up disaster relief projects also, the major ones of which are: |
(i) |
Relief and Rehabilitation assistance to flood affected people in Punjab in 1988. |
(ii) |
Relief assistance to families affected due to earthquake in Uttarkashi in Uttar Pradesh. |
Relief assistance to families affected due to massive earthquake in Gujarat in 2001. |
Administration/Financial System of the Council:
The affairs of the Council are managed by the Managing Committee through a Governing Body, which is selected for a period of 3 years. The day to day activities are managed with the help of staff as well as Nishkam Sevadars. No Nishkam Sevadar is paid out of Council's funds and they even avail services on payment of normal charges, without any concessions.
The effort in the Council has been to have a sound financial system so that the money, contributed by Sadh Sangat is fully accounted for and
utilized for the purpose for which it is contributed. With this end in view the Council has been maintaining regular accounts on computers, which are audited by a Chartered Accountant, as per the provisions of the Income Tax Act and return is filed with the Income Tax Department every year.
As required under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976, the Council maintains separate Bank Account for the foreign contributions received by it. All payments in this account are made through crossed cheques/bank drafts and annual return/audited accounts are submitted to the Government of India. |
Our Sincerest Gratitude to: |
Sadh Sangat and our regular donors, who have all along been supporting not only the on-going projects but have encouraged us to take up new projects. |
