After meeting with the charismatic and inspiring 84-year-old founder of The Kalgidhar Trust/Society (KT/S) three years ago, TI's Dallas-based employee Surinder Singh immediately devoted himself to supporting to the institution's noble mission.

KT/S addresses the significant social issues that face the poor, remote, rural communities of Northern India. These communities have no educational prospects and suffer from rampant drug abuse and violence against women and girls.

With funds raised through volunteers like Singh, the organization is able to offer a value-based education system, combined with a modern scientific English-language based curriculum, in remote, inaccessible areas that are not reached by the Indian government and private education system.

"There is a massive need for funds for building schools, hospitals and de-addiction centers and I have devoted myself to raising funds for it," said Singh, who is a manager of TI's power software group.

"My family and I have traveled to numerous places in the U.S. to speak about KT/S and set up stalls as a way to increase awareness and raise funds."

Raising funds
In June 2011, Singh helped raise $152,000 for K/TS through a large fundraising luncheon held in the Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) area. He has devoted more than 100 hours to volunteering for KT/S during the last 12 months.

Before the June 2011 fundraiser, the organization had 72 schools. With the funds raised, this number has grown to 101 schools with more to come. After seeing Singh successful efforts in the Dallas area, volunteers in Las Vegas and Seattle are inspired to do the same thing in their areas.

"This money has helped tremendously in opening new schools in rural parts of North India," Singh said. "But the most important thing is that the money being raised is also going towards preventing violence against women and girls and keeping people away from drug abuse."

Anju Chawla, K/TS executive fundraising chair, said Singh has contributed a great deal to the organization and the people it serves.

"Having felt the need to expand the scope of this noble cause, Mr. Surinder Singh has been working closely under the guidance of Baba ji for many years," Anju said. "I have come across many people in my years of volunteering, but very rarely do you meet someone as special as Mr. Singh. Without our talented pool of dedicated and generous volunteers, we could not save the abused, neglected, abandoned and ignored children of this earth."