Tarn Taran Diary: Bhai Veer Singh Birdh Ghar: A safe haven for elderly
Bhai Veer Singh Birdh Ghar, which is run by Chief Khalsa Diwan Charitable Society, was established in 1959 to provide shelter and other facilities to destitute individuals, especially who were neglected by their kids in the old age. In the Birdh Ghar, there is provision to adjust as many 100 inmates and at present, around 45 are receiving care and other facilities provided by the management here. Previously, people from across the state came to live at the Birdh Ghar and the capacity was to full. The facilities provided to the inmates are free of cost.
The Birdh Ghar complex has around 100 rooms, with some of these with attached bathroom and kitchen facilities. The complex also has an open yard and a park. Meals, tea and other activities at the Birdh Ghar are scheduled accordingly.
Besides hygienic food preparation, rooms are cleaned in routine and laundry facility is also provided by the management.
Swaran Singh (74) and his wife Charanjit Kaur (67), residents of Guru Nanak Enclave, Khandwala, Chheharta (Amritsar), have decided to lead a peaceful life at the Birdh Ghar.
The couple, Swaran Singh and his wife Charanjit kaur, have a son and daughter. Swaran Singh was an auto-rickshaw operator and was hardly able to make his ends meet. Gradually, the couple had to leave their home due to their miserable life. Charanjit Kaur came here in August, 2017, and Swaran Singh came in mid-2021. They said they were being ill-treated by their son and his wife so they had to leave their home to lead a peaceful life at the Birdh Ghar. The couple said they had to pay nothing to live at the facility. Many people often come here to donate clothes and other essential items to the inmates. The Birdh Ghar is a peaceful site with a gurdwara, library, guest house etc. Central Khalsa Hospital also provides round the clock medical facilities at the Birdh Ghar.
Photograph creates trouble for top officials
Many eyebrows were raised in the district, when less than a week ago, the state government transferred Deputy Commissioner Paramavir Singh and SSP Gaurav Toora. Both the officials allegedly attended a function organised in Ghrariala village, where former SAD leader Virsa Singh Valtoha was also present. He shared the stage with the Deputy Commissioner and the SSP.
The closeness was not appreciated by the top leaders of the ruling party and the matter was immediately brought to the notice of the Chief Minister, who ordered immediate transfer of both the officers. There are reports that a businessman, who is close to Virsa Singh Valtoha, has established a ‘Bio Fuel’ unit. The businessman called the DC and the SSP to inaugurate the unit to urge the farmers not to burn paddy straw in their fields. Virsa Singh Valtoha was also seen standing next to the DC and the SSP while inaugurating the unit. Later, both the officers were transferred. The photos of the programme had gone viral on many social media platforms.
Encroachment has become order of the day
Encroachment has become a severe problem in Tarn Taran. The administration has failed to provide any relief to the residents despite various anti-encroachment drives. Encroachments around roads and in bazaars have worsened the situation, which has led to traffic congestion and mishaps across the city. The worst-affected road is the one which heads from Amritsar-Chabal bypass to Sarhali T-Point. Footpaths have also been encroached by hawkers, leaving no space for the pedestrian to move safely. In the absence of restriction, both sides of the main road have turned into a parking lot as. Even outside of the SDM’s office, haphazard parking has become a common sight. The adda, tehsil, noordi and Bheera bazaars, besides other sites, have been encroached badly. The administration need to take urgent action to remove these encroachments for the convenience of the commuters, especially pedestrians. (Contributed by Gurbaxpuri)
