Despite not being well educated, Tarif Singh has devoted his life to providing education to needy and poor children. He has also started two old-age homes during the challenging COVID period.

Tarif belongs to Alwar in Rajasthan. He always lacked interest in studying. However, whenever he saw poor and needy children, he felt like doing something for them. Meanwhile, he met a person named Sajjan Singh Jahwa, who used to help poor students with their education. Inspired by him, Tarif also started doing this work of providing education to poor children in 2009.

The biggest challenge to establishing a set-up for this work were the finances, as he belongs to a middle-class family. But he was so determined that he took out a personal loan to start this noble work. Gradually, the Sikh community and other people started supporting him.

He initially opened eight educational centers at different places, having one teacher per center, and started teaching the slum children to guide and transform them into better people. Gradually, the number of children increased to 125, which made him think big, and he took over an English-medium school, KVM Public School, Alwar, as it was facing financial challenges. The students were provided with meals, uniforms, stationery, etc. at zero cost.

He also took 15 older girls under his organization and helped them study in higher classes through open school. Till now, about 70 girls have passed the 10–12th standard, and 12 have passed out of college. Many of these girls are working as receptionists in various hospitals in the city.

He also got these girls trained in self-defense. Initially, the parents of some of the girls opposed such training, but gradually they understood the purpose behind it. Two of the girls became national champions in Taekwondo.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a challenging time for him. Yet, with the help of the community, his team distributed over 600 food packets every day and also opened two old-age homes in Alwar and Sawai Madhopur. He was funded and honored by the Sangat and many institutions, overseas organizations from Canada and England, and local governments. Both his schools have now been closed for more than a year, but he has never defaulted on paying off the rent, salaries, etc.

Talking about education, Tarif shares that he was himself very less educated. He had passed 10th with the help of Sajjan Singh ji, who had paid his fees. But he realized the importance of education and passed 12th grade in 2012, studying alongside the girls he was helping.

When asked about leadership, he says he is slowly acquiring leadership qualities through his work.

If he gets a chance to travel back in time, he would like to go back to his school days and concentrate on his studies. He would also like to learn to speak English.

He says the most motivational factor in his life is the Gurbani from Guru Granth Sahib, which keeps him positive and helps him remain on the path of good deeds.

Tarif feels you cannot do social service without having a genuine urge to serve. For real service, you have to live among the poor and spend time with them to understand their problems.