Mata Charan Kaur Society

Birth and Childhood (1930 C.E.):

Think of selfless service Mata Charan Kaur's name automatically comes onto your lips. She was born to Mata Bant Kaur on Feb. 5, 1930 in a Sikh Dharam family in village Teng Nangal, Majitha Tehsil, Amritsar, Distt: Amritsar. Her father was Teja Singh.

At the time of her birth, the family had four milch buffaloes and a chariot. A water pitcher, a chaati (a big earthen container) of ghee (clarified butter), and those of sugar and shakkar were kept in a row beside a wall, which were considered symbols of prosperity in a village family.

Though not formally educated, Mata Charan Kaur was wise and deeply religious. Her parents frequently attended spiritual discourses, which were family gatherings. Evenings were marked by kirtan (singing of gurbani), Rehras (evening prayer), and Ardas (Sikh prayer) in the village.

Her mother instilled values of compassion, love, and care for all living beings. She helped her mother plant saplings, remove thorns from paths, and spread grains for birds. These experiences cultivated a deep sense of empathy and selfless service in Mata Charan Kaur.

Before breakfast, she would visit the Gurudwara Sahib for obeisance. Her mother shared stories of religious personalities and encouraged her to serve the poor, which developed her philanthropic spirit.

How Mata Charan Kaur Ji as a Sikh?

Mata Charan Kaur Ji regularly attended spiritual discourses and evening kirtans, which had a profound impact on her. These experiences inspired her to develop her physical, mental, and spiritual faculties. She reflected on social issues like environmental pollution, unemployment, child labor, and education and sought solutions.

Thinking of forming the Mata Charan Kaur Organization:

Mata Charan Kaur's mission was to love every human being as an image of Almighty God, treating everyone with equity and respect, and serving humanity without discrimination. She dedicated her life to helping the poor, feeding the hungry, educating the underprivileged, and caring for the sick. She advocated against child labor and shared the message of God through her actions.

Founding of the Mata Charan Kaur College:

The Mata Charan Kaur Group of Institutions, under the Mata Charan Kaur Para Medical Education Society, Majitha Road, Amritsar, Punjab, was established in 1996 with the aim of providing quality education to backward areas without caste discrimination. The organization conducted awareness seminars on health issues like Cancer, T.B., and HIV AIDS, and promoted better traffic control through the police department.

Medical Camps:

The society organized free medical camps for the sick, ailing, and old patients who couldn’t afford hospital treatment. Proper care, medicine, nutrition, and food were provided to the needy. Future plans included establishing old age homes, hospitals, and charitable institutions.

Mata Charan Kaur, the Woman:

Mata Charan Kaur was unattached to worldly possessions and focused on helping others. Despite donations flowing into her society, she spent generously on education and welfare without keeping any money for herself.
She provided motherly support to victims of domestic violence and other societal neglect, embodying Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings.
Her spirit of philanthropy extended to addressing unemployment and promoting simple living.
She deeply cared about the health of the environment and worked tirelessly for social betterment.

End of a Phenomenon:

Mata Charan Kaur Ji passed away on 16th April, 2005. She was a living legend, an institution in herself, and a phenomenon to behold. Though she is no longer physically present, her legacy continues through the Mata Charan Kaur Society, which remains a beacon of hope for the underprivileged.