Scrap dealer by profession, social activist by passion

Jaswant Singh, a scrap dealer by profession, is known as a social worker not just in Panjwar village but in the whole area as he has dedicated himself to social causes. Though his name is Jaswant Singh, he often introduces himself as Jassa Kabaria.

In spite of his profession as a scrap dealer, he has the hobby of listening to the grievances of the general public, especially the weaker sections of society along with the Diviang (physically challenged). He is a resident of Panjwar village and his scrap shop is located in nearby Chabal village which helps him listen to the grievances of many more villagers of the area. He often holds meetings of the needy persons at his home and tries to redress their grievances by taking them up with the authorities concerned.

He knows all the technicalities of government schemes for social security like pension for the elderly, widows, Diviangs and other sections. He takes a keen interest to boost inter-caste marriages. He said that the government has a scheme to encourage inter-caste marriages by giving a grant of Rs 2.5 lakh to such couples as compensation. He said the meaning of inter-caste marriages should not be construed as creating hatred among the castes, but as a step to strengthen ties among different sections of society. He said that he has produced such couples before the administration who are given a financial help of Rs 2.5 lakh.

Jaswant Singh takes keen interest in getting drug addicts admitted to de-addiction centres run by the government where free treatment is provided. He often holds ‘Lok Darbar’ at his home and helps to resolve the problems of the people who have grievances with government departments.

He has a record of villages where there is maximum number of jobless youth. He organises ‘Nukkad meetings’ in villages of weaker sections and appeal to them to get their children educated which serves multiple purposes. He said it is only through education that one may get a government job and it would help them avoid drugs. He said there are many professions to earn a handsome income such as chicken farming, kite-making, knitting, tailoring etc. He said that the time is not far when school-going children would work side by side to earn while they learn.