Mr. Tersam Lal  Founder – The Divine Onkar Mission

A man said to the Buddha, "I want Happiness."

Buddha said, first remove "I", that's ego,
then remove "want", that's desire.

See now you are left with only Happiness

.‘Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end’. Scott Adams 1957

My name is Tersam lal and I am the founder of the Divine Onkar Mission a registered UK charity.

I was born in the Punjab (India) on 22 September 1932. I came to England in May 1955, aged 19. Within three days of my arrival, I began working at Wednesbury Tube, Oxford Street, Bilston, West Midlands.

In 1985-1986 I experienced temporary blindness in one eye due to a cataract. This condition greatly impacted my life . I considered my self very lucky when an eye operation was able to restore my sight, a gift I have since cherished. I was able to continue working until September 1990 after which I retired.

I went to India with my wife in October 1990 on a holiday. I began spending more and more time talking to people living on the streets, including those suffering from leprosy. I witnessed how those living with the disease were not noly living in poverty, but were completely isolated from mainstream society because of terrible social stigma.

I saw many blind people with cataracts and glaucoma living in blindness despite treatment being achievable. Children as young as three, were collecting scraps from the rubbish dumps, struggling to raise some income to buy food for their parents.  Child labor was common as were the harsh realities of child trafficking and the exploitation of women.

These harsh realities hit me really hard! I decided that instead of feeling sorry for these people I would do something to help. I had been granted the gift of sight and a bountiful life I wanted to make it accessible to others.

I came back from India and started collecting household goods to recycle at boot sales to raise funds to help the people I had seen.

It was through a lot of hard work and commitment and the support of a team of dedicated volunteers that the Divine Onkar Mission [Duty of Mankind] was born. In 1991 Divine Onkar mission became a registered charity. With the continued help of local people and relatives we were able to build an eye hospital in 1995. Prior to this we had been running many medical camps to help poor people.

I have become accustomed to working over 50 -60 hours a week raising money and increasing awareness of the work being done by DOM. I realise a lot more still needs to be done if people are to be released from the grips of poverty and exploitation.

In 1997 we started an orphanage and school in Jharkhand in India. In addition programs for clothes distribution and langar [free food kitchens] are offered in remote rural areas.

To date we have established one eye hospital and two orphanages in Jharkhand and Orissa. Over 1,500 children receive fulltime education, many with board. The eye hospital offers 210 free eye operations monthly [ well over 8,000 to date].  363 Leprosy victims and their families –[1,500-2,000 people] get support through housing, health and education. 

Over 700 wells have been built, providing fresh uncontaminated drinking water. Projects in Orissa, offer vocational training to help skill rural tribal villages in agricultural and horticultural development so that they can become self-sufficient.

Employment/board/education is given to homeless widows and their children so they do not become victim to trafficking.

Currently a much-needed hospital for physically disabled people is underway to provide vital operations to replace and restore limbs and offer physical therapy. A specialized school will also be set up to provide education for children with special needs. 

I had a vision in 1990 that has evolved over the last 21 years into an unbelievable reality. Our vision at the mission continues to grow and gather momentum.

 I am 80 this month and although my health challenges me daily, I have vowed to myself and those that rely on this charity that no matter how old I feel, I must stay strong, resilient and focused, we still have a lot more work to do.

I appeal to you join me in a journey that will inspire, challenge and make you grow in ways you never thought imaginable.