From struggle to success: How Project Kirti is changing lives

Dear Donor,

For decades, life for Jaskirat Singh (name changed), has been little more than a daily struggle for survival. The 55-year old lost his elder brother to the scarcely-remembered January 1989 anti-Sikh riots of Jammu, a brief but mad frenzy of violence and arson that claimed several Sikh lives. Burdened with the responsibility of two families, Jaskirat Singh struggled incessantly to make ends meet, only for his health to give way.

Despite nearing his sunset years, there was no way Jaskirat Singh could savor the luxury of retirement.

Thankfully, Project Kirti launched by UNITED SIKHS came to his rescue, arranging a bank loan and a down payment to help him obtain his very own e-rickshaw – a battery-operated vehicle used to transport passengers. Although Jaskirat still has to go to work, he now enjoys the relative comfort of having a stable and less taxing source of livelihood.

Daughter of a daily-wage laborer, 23-year-old Arshdeep Kaur* (name changed) had long aspired to become a professional cosmetologist. But with her father’s meager earnings and familial responsibilities – she has two other siblings including a physically challenged brother– she could ill afford the steep course fees. Luckily, she came to know of UNITED SIKHS’ Project Kirti.

Having received financial assistance under the Project, Arshdeep has now enrolled herself in the course.

She now looks forward to a bright future – a hitherto impossible dream.

It is hard to fight back tears for Harnam Singh* (name changed) as he recalls the untold hardships unleashed by the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown and its subsequent fallout. A father of two, 33-year-old Harnam Singh worked for a small private enterprise which closed down during the first wave of the pandemic, leaving him broke and unemployed. While Harnam received some help from UNITED SIKHS at the time, the following years weren’t easy as he had to work multiple odd jobs to try and cobble together a decent livelihood. Finally, UNITED SIKHS’ Project Kirti lent a hand, taking out a bank loan in his name and making a down payment to help him obtain his own e-rickshaw.

Today, Harnam is deeply thankful because he has a stable source of income. He is determined to work hard and pay off his EMIs.

Misfortunes have been a constant companion of 37-year-old Kawalpreet Kaur* (name changed), a mother of two school-going children. Afflicted with a spinal injury, her husband has been unable to work, leaving the family in dire straits. Mired in debt and financial difficulties, Kawalpreet finally found hope with UNITED SIKHS’ Project Kirti. The latter helped her procure two sewing machines she can use to earn a decent living for her family.

Kawalpreet can now look after her husband and children without having to constantly worry about money for square meals.

Kirat Karo, Naam Japo, Vand Chakko: Path to a Fulfilling File

Started by the India chapter of UNITED SIKHS, Project Kirti isn’t about creating jaw-dropping ‘rags to riches’ stories; nor is it meant for people scrounging for freebies.

Instead, it draws inspiration from the teachings of Guru Nanak Sahib ji (founder of Sikhism) himself who summed up righteousness as comprising hard work for earning an honest livelihood (kirt karo); reciting God’s name (naam japo); and sharing one’s wealth with the community (vand chakko).

Project Kirti was started sometime in the last quarter of 2022, and formally launched on 31st January 2023.

Ever since its inception, Project Kirti has helped scores of indigent but industrious individuals across Delhi and Punjab earn an honest and honorable livelihood by giving them access to income-generating resources such as sewing machines, juice carts, e-rickshaws, and welding sets, among others. It has also helped young people like Arshdeep Kaur enroll into or complete educational courses, paving the way for a promising career ahead.

The Best Part?

Under Project Kirti, beneficiaries are only assisted to the point of creating an opportunity for growth – they must labor on their own to repay the loan for the asset UNITED SIKHS helped them procure. Because ‘kirt’ is a virtue embedded in the Sikh way of life!

Help us sustain and grow this nascent project and touch the lives of thousands of beleaguered individuals who are unable to come out of the vicious circle of lack of employment, debt, and poverty.

Support Economic Self-Reliance! Support Project Kirti!

P.S.: Faces of beneficiaries have been blurred to maintain confidentiality.

Jasleen Kaur

UNITED SIKHS

Recognize the Human Race as One