Dr. Rupinder Kaur Sandhu fights the incredibly tough battle against drug addiction. It is tough because her opponent is the biggest problem for youth and old in Punjab. Along with her team, she is giving a new life to drug addicts through counselling and treatment and other positive activities. Dr. Rupinder says that her grandfather Captain Gurdeep Singh Sandhu was an army officer and was dedicated to the service of humanity. With her valiant efforts, she is carrying forward his spirit of service. After a M.Sc. and PhD in 2 subjects she was offered the job of teacher and income tax officer, but she did not accept. By the tirelessly working for the betterment of their patients, more than 1000 people have recovered from drug addiction thanks to her NGO. Here’s what inspired her to do this:
She recalls that a brother's friend had become a victim of drug addiction. This incited worry and fear in Dr. Sandhu’s mind regarding her brother ending up with the same fate. That is why Dr. Rupinder Sandhu first started counselling for her brother's friend. She subsequently taught her brother about the topic of drug addiction as well. After experiencing success in this, she felt that people struggling with this ailment need help. She also felt that more important than a menial job is providing the needed help to these people.
In 2007, she started the 'Captain Gurdeep Singh Society' NGO under the name of her grandfather. Her brother Palwinder Singh Sandhu also joined in. Both of them started helping the youth, elderly, widows and disabled people as well as solving health related problems. In the year 2008, the NGO was given the work of de-addiction by the government in Tarn Taran Civil Hospital. From there, the battle against drugs manifested. The ‘New Hope Drug De-Addiction Centre’ was opened in Manj Sahib area, located on Tarn Taran Road. Till now, more than 1000 people from the center have given up drug and live a happy and healthy life thanks to counselling.
Her altruism stretches outside the bounds of Punjab as she says that she is working against drugs for 3 more states. Apart from treatment and counselling, the centres also provides various physical activities such as sports etc. to help the patients to stay fit. The center also bears the accommodation and food expenses of the admitted patients.