On Friday, March 28, 2008, The Kalgidhar Society launched the first Free Medical Camp of 2008 at its 200-bed Akal Charitable Hospital in Baru Sahib, Distt. Sirmore, Himachal Pradesh Held five or six times a year since 2000, these Free Medical Camps, believed to be the largest in India, serve rural poor primarily villagers from surrounding areas such as Solan, Shimla and Sirmore Districts of Himachal Pradesh.

By the conclusion of this 2-day camp, some 1532 of this area's underprivileged had been treated at the state-of-the-art medical and surgical facility where 62 major surgeries were performed. Patients and their families travel by car, bus, horse or on foot, some from as far away as 100 km, to receive free treatments that would normally cost up to one lakh rupees.

More than 100 doctors and other medical professionals, including specialists in plastic surgery, ear-nose-and-throat, gynecology, anesthesiology, dental surgery, pharmacology, pathology, nursing, physical therapy and hospital administration, had traveled from as far away as the U.S. and some of the far-flung states of India to volunteer their services. Others had come from neighboring areas such as Dr. Anil S. Narang, Head of Pediatrics, PGI, Chandigarh , Dr. Chanjiv Singh, a plastic surgeon from Jalandhar and Dr. K. S. Mehta, a dermatologist from Dharamshala.

Many of these professionals return to serve at the Free Medical Camps year after year. Dr. G. P. Singh from Jalandhar, who has come every year since 1998, has played an on-going leadership role since 2000 and has been instrumental in the growth of the Camps. “I come each year and recharge my batteries by serving the needy in these communities and spending time with the extraordinary sevadars who come repeatedly. We have become like a family and talk all through the year planning for the next Camp.”

In addition to the free medical checkups and treatments, dental care, surgical procedures and post-operative medical care all patients receive regardless of religious faith or social status, the family members who accompany the patients also receive free accommodations and meals, “all in the Sikh spirit of Guru Gobind Singh who said, ‘ Manas Ki Jaat Sabhey Aikey Pehchanbo (Recognize all humans as of one caste), said Hon'able Baba Iqbal Singh, President of The Kalgidhar Society, which covers the Rs 40 Lakh cost of each Camp.

The Camp was formally inaugurated by S. Hari Narain Singh Ji, MLA from Nalagarh. Mr. Rajiv Bindal, Himachal Pradesh's Health Minister visited on the second day to witness the work being done at the Camp. Minister Bindal was highly appreciative of the extraordinary community health services provided at the Medical Camp and of the special efforts made by the doctors who had traveled all the way from the U.S.: Dr. Shanon Harris, a gynecologist from Minneapolis, Minnesota; Dr. Marie Njoku and Dr. Jasjit Kaur Atwal, both anesthesiologists from Baltimore, Maryland; and Dr. Rameet Kaur Singh, a gynecologist also from Maryland. He said, “I am overwhelmed by the commitment and devotion of the people who have set up a gurukul environment like this.” He also recalled the sacrifices of Guru Gobind Singh for Hindus and the country, reciting a beautiful poem about the younger sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh. He promised all help from the H. P. government in the Society's endeavors.

The Kalgidhar Society is a multifaceted socio-spiritual, educational organization serving underprivileged rural communities in the areas of education, women's empowerment, holistic health, drug de-addiction, social reforms, and rural development.