Bhai Puran Singh (June 4, 1904 – August 5, 1992) was born in Rajewal (Rahon) Ludhiana district, Punjab. Born into a Hindu family, he was given the name Ramjidas as a child. Later, while still a child, he choose to become a Sikh. Though he never finished his basic schooling, he became a writer, a (self) publisher, an environmentalist, and a philanthropist. He is perhaps best remembered for the home he founded in Amritsar, India, named Pingalwara, a home which long after his death, is still tending to the castaways of society: the sick, disabled and abandoned forlorn people.
He was honoured in 1979 by the Government of India with the Padma Shri award,[2] given for exceptional and distinguished service in any field.[3] He was among the citizens of India who returned their awards and medals after the Indian army's attack on the Golden Temple in 1984. He died on August 5, 1992 in Amritsar.