Beeji (Smt.Raj Kumari Uppal, maiden name Nanda) was born on December 5, 1927 in Eminabad, Gujranwala in the province of West Punjab in British India (current day Pakistan.)  After the Indian Independence and India-Pakistan Partition in August 1947, she and her family were forced to leave their home (and leave behind almost every belonging they had) and move to the newly formed India – all this at the age of 20.  Later that year in December 1947, she married Sri Lajpat Rai Uppal at the age of 20 in the Jalandhar City, Punjab.  

Her next years were dedicated towards raising her 5 children and her extended family, in their home located in the narrow streets of Jalandhar’s central main bazaar. My Grandfather passed away on June 16, 1979 at the age of 58, when Beeji was only 51, and shortly after Beeji moved to Canada to be with her family and provide support in raising her grandchildren. Also around the same time, she embraced a life fully devoted to God and spirituality.  Beeji lived in Canada continuously for almost 25 years.  As she got older, she split her time between Canada and India, eventually fully settling in India.  At the age of 91, she peacefully left our world to be with God which was a critical part of her life on earth.

At the age of 91, she peacefully left our world to be with God which was a critical part of her life on earth.