Tavleen’s Story
“The purpose of Tavleen’s life was perhaps not live for long years. It was to be useful, to be responsible, and to be compassionate. It was, above all, to matter and to stand for meaningful things, to have made enormous difference in lives around her.”
- Dr. Gurmeet Singh Narang (father)
Tavleen, born on 16th June 1993, was a pampered child of her parents. She was an avid reader, ‘Adamya saahas’ written by Former President of India Shri APJ Abdul Kalam being the last book she read. Her inclination towards art was visible through her mellifluous playing of the santoor and unforgettable dances. Environment was one aspect she remained most sensitive about, and always insisted her parents and school teachers for plantations and nature care. She often visited gurudwaras for prayer and orphanage centres for helping the needy children. Even at a young age, her vision and mission in life was surprisingly clear. Though her self-motivation helped her fight bone cancer successfully the first time, God’s will made her fate fall short when cancer re-emerged.
At age 15, one day from the window, Tavleen looked at her garden and asked her father, “My dear Dad, I want to live in this beautiful world, look at the butterflies, squirrels, roses, sunflowers, listen to the chirruping of birds, gaze into the vast sky. I want to live; please give me such a medicine that can cure me. I have to do a lot in this beautiful world; I have to read, write, sing and play santoor”. Despite the medical therapies and aids, her family watched the beautiful, brave and lovely girl pass away. The dreaded disease plucked this wonderful angel forever on 11th October 2008. The battle she fought with cancer is a story of great inspiration, may it be her courage or optimism, sensitivity or rationalism. She dreamt of a beautiful world and now Tavleen foundation is fulfilling her wishes.
Tavleen’s ideologies, her dreams and the way she made the most of each day had something unique, as if God meant her to be one of his messengers to spread the divine light around. Her life, and how she was, portrays true meaning and essence of life.