Ludhiana gurdwara empowers visually impaired through music and education

Ludhiana: A gurdwara in Ludhiana, known as the ‘Gurdwara of the Lightless,’ has been transforming the lives of visually impaired individuals by providing education, music training, and a sense of community.

Located on Gill Road in Dashmesh Nagar, the gurdwara was established in 1964 by Giani Lachhman Singh Gandharv, who lost his eyesight at the age of four. Before the partition, Lachhman Singh gained fame in kirtan and later founded the gurdwara to help the visually impaired become self-reliant.

Most of the services at the gurdwara, including recitations, kirtan, and langar preparation, are performed by visually impaired individuals. The managing committee consists of 31 members, with 90% of them being visually impaired.

Around 45 visually impaired individuals residing at the gurdwara receive training in music, Braille script, and other skills. The gurdwara also prints the Guru Granth Sahib in Braille script.

Over the years, the institution has impacted nearly 1,000 visually impaired individuals, some of whom have pursued higher education and found employment. Jaspreet Singh, who has been associated with the gurdwara since 1989, teaches kirtan and credits the institution for his journey of self-reliance.

Similarly, Iqbal Singh, a music teacher at a government school for the visually impaired in Ludhiana, completed his education while living at the gurdwara.

Gurpreet Singh Chahal, the gurdwara’s general secretary, said that people of all religions live here as a family. “Many visually impaired youth leave their homes to stay here because they feel comfortable and supported,” he said.

While accommodation at the gurdwara is for boys, arrangements for visually impaired girls have been made in Amritsar.

For Gurkanwal Singh, a 24-year-old from Patiala who lost his eyesight in an accident at 17, the gurdwara has been life-changing. “After my accident, I struggled for years. But here, I have found a new purpose. I am learning music and will soon start learning computers,” he said.

Shahzad Alam, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, has also been staying at the gurdwara since 2017. He, like others, believes the sense of community and understanding here is unmatched. “Neither our family members nor the outside world can understand our challenges the way people here do,” he said.

The gurdwara continues to provide skills and education to visually impaired individuals, helping them lead independent lives in India and abroad.