Baru Sahib, Sunday 20th Oct 2013: It was not just another day at Akal Academy, Baru Sahib, it was a step forward to help one and all experience Oneness, diversity, colourful talents and successful Akal Academy change makers and much more.

26th Annual Day Celebrations at Akal Academy – Baru SahibThe flowers were a bloom at the ‘valley of Divine Peace’ and The Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib celebrated the 26th Annual Day of its flagship school at the Baru Sahib, Himachal Pradesh with much fervour and togetherness. The landscape was blooming with colour and music mingled with the happy chatter and cacophony of young colourfully dressed kids of all ages.

The ceremony was a combination of speeches by prestigious guests, prize distributions, Shabad – Kirtans, orchestra performance, educational/historic skits and much more displaying a blend of talent, mutual love and coordination of divine little souls!

The program started with the arrival of guests, Mr. S. Sikander Singh Maluka, Educational Minister, Govt. of Punjab, Guest of Honour – Mr. Gangu Ram Musafir, Vice Chairman Planning Commission, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh and members from Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee.

Further, the events of Fun and Frolic started with kids from nursery to the high school participating in the most diverse and the most colourful skits. Some bring a smile, some tears and some were waved-off with a great social message. Looking at little kids all dressed in colours was a feast to the eyes.

Principal Dr. Neelam Kaur graced the occasion with a soft speech sending out the message of Guru Nanak, announcing the Akal Academy achievers, and then showed the way bright future with the upcoming IB affiliated World School and much more.

The guests as well appreciated the event with their kind words. Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka was impressed with the way kids have been trained at Akal Academy, so much so that he promised to work with the Trust and help bring forward the talent in future.

The Honourable Chief Guest handed over the prizes to the academic achievers. He said, “it is my good fortune that I have been invited for this sojourn to the ‘valley of Divine peace’. I am spell bound to see  the type of value based education being imparted to the students of Akal Academies. This is how knowledge should be imparted to the students, the academic and the spiritual studies which is the need of the hour. I am amazed with the efforts of Baba Iqbal Singh ji, the way he has nurtured the Akal Academies which were bringing laurels in all the fields”.

Thereafter, beautifully written and performed skits were displayed by the kids to put forward the message on social issues of child labour, unity and fight against war, tree plantation and fight against drug abuse. The program ended with a great performance of Sikh Martial Arts that left the audience spellbound with the amazing performance – ‘Gatkha’ by the students who performed their heart out! The audience was moved to tears when young kids enacted “Bhagat Dhruv”, a skit based on historical facts from Guru Granth Sahib ji.

The annual day program ended on a Divine mood with a spiritual speech by Baba Iqbal Singh Ji, President of the Kalgidhar Trust and the divine spirit behind Rural Education Revolution. Babaji, as he is lovingly called by all, blessed the audience with pearls of Divine wisdom. He appreciated the little kids and the efforts they had put in to put forward the Sikhi Culture so well. He also thanked all guests and parents, children and volunteers for making this event a successful one and also put forward his belief that “someday, shall ultimately lead the world to permanent peace”.

It was a feast for the eyes with panoramic mountainsforming the backdrop to an open air Stage amidst great weather, wherein we witnessed hidden talent being uncovered in little flowers that bloomed in the Valley of Divine Peace!

~ Deeksha Singh
~ New Delhi, 23rd Oct 2013