Helping Hands organisation: 15 yrs of selfless service to community

Completing 15 years of dedicated social service, Helping Hands organisation has emerged as one of Phagwara’s most respected welfare groups, transforming lives through education, healthcare, women empowerment and humanitarian aid.

Founded in April 2010, the organisation was established by Harminder Singh Basra along with a group of philanthropists, including NRIs Surjeet Singh Ghumman, Tekchand Punni, Dev Sharma, Iqbal Singh Bala, Ballu Walia, Vikramjeet Singh Bablu and Sudhir Helen. Their collective vision was to support underprivileged students and serve society through meaningful initiatives. Harminder Singh Basra became the founder president and soon after, volunteer Harinder Kaur Sethi joined, strengthening the team and expanding its reach.

Since its inception, Helping Hands organisation has launched several socially relevant and impactful projects. The flagship educational initiative, “Akhhan De Tare” (Stars of the Eyes), launched in collaboration with Punjab Radio London, has supported nearly 8,000 students from schools across Phagwara Tehsil. Under this project, students are adopted annually and all educational expenses are covered, including school fees, stationery, uniforms, school bags, shoes, sweaters and socks.

The organisation has also been at the forefront of women empowerment. A free tailoring school for girls was set up in Mohalla Kaulsar, where hundreds of young women have received training in sewing and stitching.

Among its most compassionate initiatives is the “Kanya Daan” project, which has brought dignity and relief to hundreds of economically weak families. Since 2010, Helping Hands organisation has arranged the weddings for around 200 girls at Gurdwara Akali, Banga Road, Phagwara. Each year, the organisation manages the entire ceremony—from milni to doli—and provides every bride with essential household items.

The group has also extended vital medical assistance, providing financial aid worth several lakh rupees for the treatment and surgeries of underprivileged patients.

Expressing gratitude, founder president Harminder Singh Basra credited his team, NRI supporters and donors for their contributions.

Basra reaffirmed Helping Hands organisation’s commitment to continue expanding its humanitarian outreach. “As long as society stands with us, we will keep serving the poor and needy with even greater strength and dedication,” he said, adding that the trust and blessings of the people remain the organisation’s greatest inspiration.

From educating children to supporting marriages, from skill development to lifesaving medical aid, Helping Hands organisation has spent 15 years proving that humanity is the greatest religion. Today, it stands as one of Phagwara’s leading social service organisations, admired both in India and abroad for its enduring commitment to compassion and community welfare.