Flying high on humanity

Jasmine Singh

Amarpreet Singh from Patiala, Khalsa Aids’s director since 2014, has been appointed as the new Asia-Pacific director. Five years back this young man was training to be a commercial pilot. With 120-130 hours of flying and almost 20-30 lakh rupees already spent on his training, Amarpreet had no idea that the flight of his life would be taking an altogether different course. “I was in touch with Ravinder Singh, founder of Khalsa Aid, through social media at a time when no one knew much about the organisation. Once, I requested him to help fund a kid’s operation, which he did immediately and saved the kid’s life.”

This incident established Amarpreet’s faith in good people and good deeds. In fact, he had found his heart’s calling. “Khalsa Aid, here was an organisation that was helping people irrespective of caste, culture, religion and faith, and certainly wanted to be a part of it completely,” shares Amarpreet who had to convince his parents that seva for humanity was what he intended to do instead flying high in the sky. 

Till date, Amarpreet has coordinated 22 missions in four different countries (Burma, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh).  Despite all the recognition that the organisation has received over the years, Amarpreet finds a long path ahead of him as well as the organisation. “Khalsa Aid is an international NGO with the aim to provide humanitarian aid in disaster areas and civil conflict zones around the world. The organisation is based upon the Sikh principle of ‘Recognise the whole human race as One’. But we have faced criticism from our own community, which of course was a big challenge. Five years back not many people knew about us or what we were doing. I would feel disheartened that our service was not being recognised. But then seva is all about doing good without any recognition.”

With more than 15- 17,000 youngsters volunteering for Khalsa Aid, the organisation will soon be starting its Australian chapter officially, the workings of which will be handled by Amarpreet in India. 

What about celebrities wanting to get attached to the organisation? “Recently, cricketer Harbhajan Singh approached us, he appreciated our work and was interested in working with us. I told him the only charity that he can do for us is to join us in the field, ‘wear a Khalsa Aid T-shirt and join us in the mission. To us, mission is more important than the person, we are not interested in photo opportunities.” Harbhajan recently funded the medical care of a patient and even went to meet him in the hospital.

“We have our own flights, if only we all recognise it and follow our hearts with compassion towards one and all, this would be a far better place to live in,” Amarpreet concludes.