“Satguru Nanak Pargateya, Miti Dhund Jag Channan Hoeya.” It was Guru Nanak’s ethos which gave the three-decade-old organisation meant for the specially-abled — The Channan Association — its illustrious name. Under president Upinderjit Kaur (65), mother, activist and a fierce advocate for the specially-abled, the association is spreading its wings.
A single mother, a soft balance between her daughter’s care and upliftment of specially-abled kids, consumes her time.
Founded by pioneering disability activist, Amarjit Singh Anand in 1997, the association aimed for the welfare of special children and especially their parents — many of whom were then clueless about their rights, legislations and organisations which would help them bring up their children. As he plunged into activism, his wife Upinderjit Kaur cared for their beloved daughter Jasjit Kaur, a specially-abled child, inspiration behind the founding of “Channan”.
After Anand’s sudden demise in January 2024, these delicate responsibilities fell upon Upinderjit’s shoulders. In past two-and-a-half years, her resolve and determination has surprised many. At the heart of it, lies a mother’s love for her daughter.
Upinderjit Kaur Anand, president, Channan Association, and Jasjit’s mother, says, “Sade bacche sade sir da taj ne. (Our children are the crown of our heads). Many parents keep forgetting this, but it’s our job at Channan, to keep reminding them. We’re supposed to have fun, take them out, dress them up for weddings and parties, and enjoy ice creams together. At the house, Jasjit keeps flitting between the bedroom, lobby and her loved swing outdoors. Her chirpy presence makes me happy. I envision similar future for other mothers, and their specially-abled kids.”
The Channan Association currently giving skill training to 22 specially-abled adults above the age 18 years. They are being trained to make their own merchandise including masalas and festive goodies among other things. They’re picked and dropped every day from their respective homes, receive yoga sessions from an in-house instructor and participate in various other activities.
Upinderjit also takes up special children’s guardianship and health insurance issues with the administration. The Channan Association is also noted for providing services at very reasonable rates and sometimes for free, where many other organisations for the special, charge exorbitant fee which poor parents can’t afford.
Upinderjit Kaur says, “My husband was always concerned about the disabled. Months before his passing, he asked me to deliver a speech at a special event at the Channan Association. I think he was preparing me for a destiny we weren’t aware of.”
The transition from a mother to the president of an association wasn’t without challenges. Upinderjit says, “Anand ji had a huge circle and decades’ long experience of managing things. I hadn’t stepped out of my role as a mother until now. But the calls of people looking for safe place to send their kids keeps me going. We take in specially-abled only above 18 years of age.”
She further says, “As per my husband’s vision kids have schools, but no one cares for specially-abled over 18 years. Presently, finances are a huge concern. We’ve no government aid. A car has to pick and drop kids four times — twice in the morning and in the afternoon. Trips can be saved if we had a bus. At present, we have 22 kids. We have no space to accommodate more. Recently, we took in 14-year-old Noor, as his mother was not prepared to send him anywhere else. We keep getting calls to take in more kids. I will need much more staff and space for doing so.”
Upinderjit’s son and daughter-in-law live in Uttar Pradesh. After her, she hopes to send Jasjit into their loving care.