NISHKAM word in Hindi literally stands for “Selfless Service” and Nishkam Sewa Ashram is striving to achieve this rank through its various services like like; Senior Citizens Home, Education to Street Children of slums, Vocational Education to Rural Females in particular and Health Care. Besides these, Nishkam render all possible services in natural calamities from time to time.
Nishkam made its beginning in 1983 by opening a Old age home at Kot Mangal Singh, Ludhiana and later relocated to present place at Daad, Pakhowal Road, Ludhiana in 1975. Old-age home campus comprises of 71 rooms with a space for accommodating more than 100 Senior Citizens. On an average 44 to 50 male and female Senior Citizens reside at the Ashram all round the year. Free boarding, lodging and medical aid is provided. Every room is airy and has attached bathroom, geyser and necessary amenities.
Day - Care Centres were started for senior citizens in different localities of the city in 1987. One Day-Care Centre has 60 senior citizens on its roll at village Lalton, both male and female visit daily. Another Day-Care-Centre is located at Abdullapur Basti, Ludhiana where 24 senior citizens are registered. These senior citizens are provided tea/fruit in summer, winter clothing and medicines. Reading material like books and newspapers are made available.
Education is important from nursery to 10th class, considering this, in the year 1980 Nishkam started its first Nishkam Vidya Mandir at Ambedkar Nagar ( a slum area), Ludhiana. Later on three other Nishkam Vidya Mandirs were started in other slum areas of Ludhiana. Approximately 2200 children are getting education in these schools. These children belong to poor families.
An adult education centre was started in 1982 at Nishkam Vidya Mandir Dugri Road for the ladies and children doing household jobs and baby sitting, where 45 to 60 students get education. This programme is particularly aimed at making the rural females self reliant. In this direction different vocational training programmes are run throughout the year.
Nishkam Sewa Ashram has initiated a project named “Paawan Dham” for the terminally sick cancer patients. The chief objective of Paawan Dham- Hospice project is to render a quality care for the dying cancer patients. Paawan Dham’s health professionals and volunteers will provide medical, psychological and spiritual support to the terminally sick patients and their families. Facilities provided at Paawan Dham, which include food, medical care, pain management, equipments and boarding will be free of charges.
Nishkam Sewing School Centres: Training in Tailoring and embroidery is imparted in different cities and villages of Punjab and Himachal Pardesh. Up to this date more than 40,000 girls had undergone training at Nishkam Sewing School Centres and are now getting their homes rid of poverty by adopting sewing of clothes at their homes in spare time. Other value aided courses like Embroidery, Interior Decoration, Mehndi, Manners and Etiquettes are undertaken at the sewing schools.
Computer Centres: In the year 2002 Nishkam started training programme in Computer operation. This programme is particularly aimed at making the rural females self reliant. Nishkam has four computer centres giving Information Technology training to rural women. Nishkam also help and train them for getting employed.
Nishkam health care services were started in 1976 for the health care of rural and urban population of Ludhiana. At Vridh Ashram Campus facilities for free eye checkup – cum-operation and cornea transplants are provided transplants are provided. Dental clinic services are also available here.
Nishkam Sew a Hospital, Jujhar Nagar, New Shimlapuri Ludhiana: offers general medicine, eyes, dental; skin and gynae. Besides these health services; a special T.B. Clinic services are offered to T.B. patients. The laboratory has arrangement for the testing of sputum, blood, stools and urine etc.
Nishkam is running five Allopathic and Homeopathic dispensaries at various locations in Ludhiana for the general public.
Free Eye Check-up-cum-Operation Camps are held in different parts of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh on the request of the village Panchayats. Medical Service to Juvenile Ie Home: The Doctor of Nishkam Sewa Hospital to examine the inmates of Juvenile Home is made on call.
Unwanted children up to, the age of seven years are being taken care of at the new project Shishu Sewa Sadan (Anaathalya) and foster mother is bringing up children. Shishu Sewa Sadan Lalton is also running a school.
Mass Marriages are held during the month of March every year. The marriages are performed according to the religion of the girls. Every bride is presented with goods of daily use utensils, beds, clothing etc
Nishkam has undertaken a new project for the care of mentally challenged girls and women named as Matri Shakti Sewa Sadan. A campus measuring 6500 sq.yd. at village Behla, Ludhiana is under construction Sewa Sadan has started functioning and some girls also being taken care of here.
Other services rendered by Nishkam
· During winter woollen clothing, blankets etc are distributed amongst the needy.
· Senior citizens are also helped by providing pension from the Government and Rations from other organizations.
· Nishkam is represented on the Jury of Ludhiana District Juvenile Court.
· Nishkam is a Member on the panel of All India Women Welfare Society.
· Nishkam is an authorized agency for Child Adoption in India.
Nishkam Sewa Ashram welcomes any kind of suggestions. for improvements in rendering of social services to the humanity. Please do write your valuable suggestions.