A Legacy Of Compassion
Ravi Kalra (1969-2021) was born in a well-off family of North Delhi. While at school he developed a strong fascination for the Korean martial arts and ended up becoming a ‘Taekwondo Black Belt 8 Dan’ by the age of 20. He was so good that the national commando’s organisation hired him to train their soldiers. Soon, there were offers from abroad also and, for many years, he travelled virtually all over the world training young people in unarmed combat. At some stage the gifted young man tried his hand at export-import business and achieved great success there too. It was a good life till a horrifying incident, in 2008, of witnessing a young child dying on the roadside changed everything and he made up his mind to devote his life to serving the poor, the abandoned and the destitute. That’s when ‘The Earth Saviours Foundation’ (TESF) was born ‒ first in a small hut in Vasant Kunj and later in village Bandhwari on the Gurgaon-Faridabad Road ‒ which has expanded to a massive organisation in the last 15 years.
This remarkable legacy of compassion, empathy and hope, created almost single handily by the tireless efforts and unwavering dedication of one exceptional individual ‒ Ravi ‒ has grown rapidly. The TESF’s shelter ‒ now led by his 24-year- old son Jas ‒ lodges almost 1,000 abandoned and sick seniors who have nowhere else to go. They are provided three nutritious meals a day, tea twice, clothes, beds and medical treatment either there itself or in a hospital.
More than anything else young Jas and his dedicated team of volunteers listen to their woes with compassion and talk to them so that they live in hope and with dignity. The organisation serves a diverse range of individuals; from abandoned senior citizens to mentally disabled people, victims of domestic violence, burn victims and more by relying solely on support from kind-hearted individuals and corporates – with food grains, vegetables, fruits, cooking oils, blankets, clothes … even building materials for perpetual repairs and continuing expansion of shed roofs and kitchens and, of course, money. Scrupulous accounts are maintained and the organisation enjoys tax exemptions for all donations. All visitors ‒ there are many everyday ‒ are welcomed with courtesy, shown around, explained in detail about the mission of TESF and seen off with gifts of a potted tulsi plant and some prasad.
The organisation has brought hope to countless lives, proving that the power of humanity can transcend boundaries and social constructs. The legacy of Ravi Kalra lives on and his son continues to steer it towards new horizons, poised to create ever greater impact in the lives of those in need. Young Jas actually has audacious plans to construct the largest free shelter home in the world, capable of providing care, comfort and support for up to 5,000 people. In a world often marred by indifference, the work of TESF stands as a beacon of hope, reminding us all that even a single act of kindness can transform lives, one person at a time.
Disclaimer: even though the author has visited the shelter and met the late Ravi more than once, information about this incredible story has been provided by Jas Kalra ‒ not related to the author.
The author is member, Managing Committee, Indian Cancer Society Delhi and former member Governing Council, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre. He is past president of the All India Management Association
