PalliativePeace

Today was an incredibly emotional day—one that shook us to the core.

From Laxmi Bagh, Dhuri, we rescued a frail and elderly man who had been living in conditions of captivity for the past one and a half years. We were informed about his heartbreaking situation by Didar Singh Ji.

Our team from Capt. TPS Gill Memorial Care and Support Home, along with our founder Avtar Singh Cheema Ji and Manager Sukhdev Dass Ji, immediately rushed to the spot. What we witnessed there was devastating. Seeing his condition made our hearts tremble—humanity itself felt ashamed in that moment.

With the support of the Municipal Committee and local neighbors, we approached City Police Station Dhuri and filed a formal complaint. After their signatures, a DDR copy was issued, and following due legal process, we were able to safely rescue the elderly man and bring him to our center in village Bhadalwad.

The first thing we did was give him a warm bath and attend to his hygiene and care. As we looked at him, our eyes filled with tears—but there was also a quiet sense of relief that he was finally safe.

We pray to Waheguru that no human being should ever have to endure such suffering. Serving humanity is the greatest service of all. Let us come together to ensure that no elderly person is ever left alone, helpless, or forgotten.

🙏 Waheguru Ji Mehar Karan 🙏

Palliative Peace Branch and Extension, Capt TPS Gill Memorial Care & Support Home, Village Bhadalwad, Rural Punjab, has initiated a brand new and perhaps first-of-its-kind Respite Care service for nearly 35 villages.

Respite Care is a compassionate support service that provides temporary relief to families and caregivers who are looking after persons with chronic illness, disability, or special needs. It offers short-term day care, supervision, therapeutic support, and emotional assistance, allowing exhausted family members time to rest, attend to personal responsibilities, or recover physically and mentally, while ensuring their loved one remains safe, cared for, and dignified.

We are humbled to begin this selfless initiative with 13-year-old Khushpreet Kaur, who has been living with late onset cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder caused by injury or damage to the developing brain, affecting movement, muscle coordination, posture, speech, and at times behavior and emotional well-being. In Khushpreet’s case, the condition has brought many challenges to her young life.

Her story is one of pain, but also of hope. Having lost her mother in infancy and living in difficult circumstances, including neglect and abuse due to an alcoholic father, she came under the care of her aged paternal grandparents. With advancing age, frailty, and medical comorbidities, they are no longer able to manage her needs as they once did.

After surveying more than 17 villages, we identified several patients and families in urgent need of daycare support and caregiver relief. This inspired us to begin this initiative, starting with Khushpreet, who is now receiving structured support at our rural center—initially on a two-days-on and one-day-off schedule. We have also facilitated psychiatric consultation and initiated treatment aimed at improving her emotional and behavioral well-being.

The response from villagers has been overwhelming. This humble initiative has received immense applause, with more people stepping forward to help, volunteer, and seek support. It has reaffirmed our belief that community-based palliative and supportive care can transform rural lives.

What began with one child has opened a path for many more.

With collective compassion, we hope this Respite Care model becomes a lifeline for vulnerable families across rural Punjab.