A revolution is never started by a hundred men.
It is always a one-man creation.
Many a time, truth turns out to be stranger than fiction. It fascinates and bedazzles like a fairy tale. Yet it remains as pure as unalloyed gold. We are set to embark upon a similar story or, shall we say, a real life saga.
It is about a man who had the humblest of beginnings, went through a troubled childhood, encountered trials and tribulations as he grew and faced scorn and ridicule from the society even as he rose to exemplary heights in business. People perhaps acted as they did because this man seemed to be doing the unconventional and the unbelievable.
Even as his business has now swelled from lakhs to crores and leading companies, including multi-national corporations, have become his clients this gentleman does not own even a single bank account and his dwelling is a tiny room in a gurdwara premises. Each and every paisa, yes every paisa, that his real estate brokerage business earns goes to charity. And he, wedded to service and sacrifice, deliberately remains wrapped in humble anonymity.
His message: “If you want to rule, then rule over hearts. If you want to indulge in looting, then loot people’s love and blessings. If you want to win, then try to win hearts.”
It’s time the world knew him better not because he craves for publicity and fame. (Far from it, he is keen on ploughing his lonely furrow doing whatever he can for humanity). But because his example needs to be highlighted to inspire others to follow a similar path. Because there is a dire need of many many more like him to make this nation and earth a better place and an abode of universal brotherhood. Because it’s time that our hearts bled for the downtrodden and the underprivileged.
Baba ji’s disciple
Meet Jasbir Singh, the unassuming disciple of Baba Iqbal Singh ji of Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Saheb, Himachal Pradesh. Though Jasbir Singh always had a spiritual bent of mind it was the guidance of Baba ji that showed him the path of service and charity. Today all he earns goes directly to the Kalgidhar Trust for its manifold social welfare programmes spread across several states. Surprisingly, Jasbir Singh has made it abundantly clear that his name should never find a mention in any of the Trust’s records and documents.
Didn’t we start by saying that truth can be stranger than fiction? So let’s learn a few more fascinating facts about this formidable personality – from the beginning.
The beginning
Born in Delhi’s Rajouri Garden in 1966, Jasbir found himself in rather impoverished environs from childhood. The family atmosphere too was not congenial for a child. A shocked Jasbir found love and succour in his grandparents, particularly grandfather. The two doted on each other.
The wizened old Sikh would narrate to the youngster tales of the faith’s glorious heritage. Jasbir still recalls how he and grandpa hugged each other and cried like babies when the old man talked about the unparalleled sacrifice by Guru Gobind Singh’s sons to protect the honour of the faith. Grandpa would also regularly recite the Gurbani, thus unwittingly laying a religious, humanitarian and spiritual foundation in Jasbir’s mind and heart. No wonder, the young boy dreamt about service, sacrifice and martyrdom even with his open eyes. There lay a new world in front of him.
So it was indeed a devastating shock when grandpa suddenly passed away when Jasbir was just ten. Refusing to believe the tragic development, Jasbir quietly pinched grandpa’s body hoping he would get up. Nothing happened. Jasbir repeated the act but in vain. It then dawned upon the child’s mind that the physical body was driven by some divine force.
Spiritual journey
And thus began Jasbir’s quest for the divine element. Several queries cropped up. Where do we come from? Why are we born? What is the purpose of life? What happens after death? What is soul? Insurmountable imponderables for a mind so young! Yet they continued to haunt him. Jasbir’s spiritual journey had begun.
Gurdwaras and temples became Jasbir’s favourite haunts. His heart pined to meet a guru who could point out to him the perfect course in life. While he continued his school studies and went on to attend college as well, his heart and mind remained wedded to the spiritual syllabus. Unknown to him, God too was shaping the way for this ardent seeker.
In 1982, Jasbir came across Iqbal Singh ji, who was Himachal’s horticulture director then, at a friend’s place. “I felt I was standing in front of my grandfather. The same look and the same smile took me by surprise. It appeared I had discovered my destiny,” Jasbir Singh still recalls, visibly moved.
A new way of life
Came 1984 and with it the most heartrending anti-Sikh riots. Jasbir Singh was devastated by the depths which humanity could plumb. He was all set to tread the radical road. Distraught, disillusioned and agitated, he sought guidance from Baba Iqbal Singh ji.
Baba ji was equanimity personified even in those horrendous times. He seemed to have transcended happiness and sorrow. This is what he told Jasbir: “If you have to give up life, then do it for humanity. If you want to eliminate something, then eliminate the society’s ills. Whatever is happening today will only ruin social and spiritual culture. Dedicate yourself to promoting the ideal way of life. The first steps towards that are sacrifice and charity.”
Jasbir Singh was suddenly enlightened. “I felt as if I had till then passed only class one or two of humanity. I felt confident that Baba ji would lead me to PhD in this realm. Henceforth, sacrifice and charity became my watchwords, both in personal life and business,” he states.
So when Jasbir started a small business he chose to walk the extra mile. Though the Sikh faith mandates that its followers donate 10 per cent of their income to charity, Jasbir willingly opted for 25 per cent even when his business was not doing particularly well. This was only set to increase. Such was his ardour for following the ideal way shown by Baba ji.
Jasbir’s business, which dealt largely with real estate brokerage, did not have a flying start. In fact, it faltered initially and he had to switch to other lines of business. Yet he continued to increase his charity to Kalgidhar test. By 1998, he was contributing 90 per cent of his income. By 2005, the charity had risen to an unbelievable 100 per cent of his income. (Jasbir turned almost ascetic). The income too had reached crores, thanks to his efficient service to leading companies. The brokerage fee from the client companies was passed on directly to the Kalgidhar trust by cheques. And the practice continues.
But Jasbir has never asked where the donation goes. “I have more faith in the Kalgidhar trust than in myself. I know that the organization is using the money for the right causes and programmes. I seek no position in the Trust. I seek only the right to serve,” he asserts.
All this may sound unbelievable to most people. Yes, it still does to many but not to the clients any more as they make their payments directly to the Kalgidhar Trust through cheques. Their initial doubts and scepticism have vanished. On the contrary, the companies feel gratified that even they have become a part of the charity campaign even if indirectly.
Secret desire
However, many CEOs and top managers still wonder what keeps Jasbir going. How is it that this businessman lives the life of a virtual monk having donated all his possessions and wealth? How is it that he does not care to keep a penny for himself? Does he not feel insecure? Does he not expect any reward for all that he is doing? The queries are many.
But Jasbir’s answer is simple and straight. “Yes, I also have a desire. I want to become an insan (a true human being) before I meet my end. I am creating a system by which, unlike others, I will be able to carry along with me whatever I have earned when I pass away.” And he makes it clear, time and again, that he has been able to imbibe the sense of service with detachment thanks to the teachings and guidance from Baba Iqbal Singh ji, other great personalities and scriptures.
However, Jasbir Singh’s journey is far from complete. Having achieved one business goal he sets bigger ones for himself. For bigger the business, bigger the sacrifice and service.
And isn’t that Jasbir Singh all about?
The end
