Ending the month of August with some refreshing moments that went uncovered. Witness some frozen frames of Independence Day Celebrations from Akal Academy Gomti and Rataolan. Celebrating the Spirit of Patriotism Akal Academy Gomti
In the light of teachings of being spiritual and of eternal values, Akal Academies yet again played a pivotal role in making students feel ecstatic and help work for a noble cause. In an event organized by Department of Forestry Punjab, Akal Academy, Bhariyal Lehri, motivated its students to participate in the Punjab Greening Mission to do their bit in saving environment and to promote greenery.
Pathankot DC Mr. Sibin C. and DFO Mr. Mahavir Singh alongwith school principals, teachers and students participated in the event and planted over 300 trees imparting the knowledge as to how to preserve the nature and work for the betterment of the Nation as a whole. “It is really heartwarming to see these kids and the planted trees grow together, both providing much needed solace to the society”, said Principal Mrs. Jasbeer Kaur Sandhu on the occasion.
Positivity afloat across Akal Academy, thus afloat the air of change.
“No Man Stands So Tall as When He Stoops to Help a Child”
In an auspicious event on 18th Aug 2013, 81 young students of at Akal Academy Tibber, alongwith their parents received Almighty’s blessings through “Amrit Sanchar” through the blessed five Piaras as they took on initiation into the Sikhi fold as per the rites instituted by Dashmesh Pitah Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The kids were glowing with pride on their initiation into Sikh Rehat Maryada.
Five Trees were also planted by the Panj Piaras as a timestamp for the remembrance of this graceful event.
Headmistress Gurvinder Kaur congratulated the blessed kids and their parents for being an example to the society. She said “My head bows in love to these young kids who stood tall in these testing times and chose to be Amritdhari at this young age. Not only that, they managed to convince and cajole their parents to walk the same path. I feel like kissing the forehead of each of these blessed kids.”
ਪ੍ਰਥਮ ਰਹਿਤ ਯਹਿ ਜਾਨ ਖੰਡੇ ਕੀ ਪਾਹੁਲ ਛਕੇ ॥
Prathham Rehith Yehi Jan Khanddae Kee Pahul Shhakae ||
On the rural outskirts of Ambala city, historical Gurdwara Sahib situated in village Panjokhra, recently organized an exclusive all-in-English event where rural school children participated in various contests like Sikhi-quiz, poem narration, recitation of Mool-mantra explaining its importance & contemplation in English.
In this first of its kind event, several Akal Academy students of village Majri, Dist. Ambala participated & received shields for their performances. The Gurdwara members reckoned the importance of the event, expressing how important it is for our youth to be able to understand the meaning of Gurbani, especially in the times when English is getting more prevalent a language amongst youth worldwide.
The authorities decided to encourage such events explaining to the students, the need to preserve the language of our heritage i.e. “Punjabi” alongside, whilst addressing the critical need of developing equivalent proficiency at the English language at the same time for efficient understanding, sharing the ideas of Sikhi at world level.
Learn more about the rural education revolution being brought about silently by The Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib through a chain of 129 Akal Academies & support us in building more rural schools to save Punjab by Clicking Here
~Ramandeep Singh, Student
~New Delhi, 26th Aug 2013
Davinder Singh a small farmer in Ratia, District Fatehabad used to always ponder at the fact the young boy born to him was always wide-eyed and gurgling with joy whenever he used to be in the open skies at night. Young Monty used to get hyper and excited when he saw the moon and the twinkling stars. Little did this rice farmer know that his Monty was destined for unraveling the mysteries of the other world?
A shy and quiet student, Montek performed brilliantly in his school exams and was always the pet of his teachers at Akal Academy, village Ajitsar Ratia. As he reached Class XII, he not only scored spectacularly in his boards but also cracked his way through SAT-I scoring an astonishing 2120/2400. Later in SAT-II he astounded a lot while smashing 750/800 in Maths, 730/800 in Chemistry, 5/5 in Physics & 5/5 in Calculus BC. Immediately, a hawk-eyed Professor noticed this hidden talent and invited Montek Singh to study at the University of Colorado Boulder’s CASA (Centre for Astrophysics & Space Astronomy) to pursue a specialised 5 year program on Astrophysical & Planetary Sciences.
Montek’s joy knew no bounds when he learnt that UoCB was offering him a scholarship of 60% of all his costs. This program is designed to meet student needs for training in space sciences, including astronomy, astrophysics, planetary sciences, and space physics. Students pursuing this major have the option of following one of two tracks: General Astronomy, housed in the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences (APS); or Astrophysics/ Physics, jointly supervised by APS and the Department of Physics.
To his father and Teachers, it seems that this will carve Montek’s path to enable him be a space scientist or an astronaut cruising space-ships, a career option that has a grown cult in India especially ever-since death of astronaut Kalpana Chawla, widely known as the first Indian American astronaut and the first Indian woman in space, who died in an accident while on a NASA space mission in 2003.
Montek’s success is being seen as contrastingly distinctive, especially for a rural student from village, belonging to an under-privileged family. It’s astonishing to notice that Montek Singh comes from a rural School where none of the students subscribe to tradition of attending tuitions beyond school hours! The Teachers themselves take up this responsibility of providing tuitions to their students within the school and school-hours.
Children at his village now know him as their super hero who is destined to fly into sky. As joy-filled tears well up, Davinder looks back to those days and realizes that there was a message for him, which he could not decipher.
You can also help a rural child achieve his dreams by sponsoring their schooling for as low as Rs 500 a month. Click Here
~ Ramandeep Singh, Student
~ New Delhi, 24th Aug 2013
News & updates on National Independence day celebrations have been pouring in all through this month, its over-whelming to witness spirit of young rural kids celebrating “Independent India’s” spirit with utter liveliness.
Keeping up with the spirit of patriotism, this week we are covering celebrations from Akal Academy, Ratia, Dist. Fatehabad, Haryana with some pics as we received.
Let us rewind & recall the days of our school-hood.
Independence day was celebrated with full zeal & fervor, the students reached school as usual & performed prayers.
Soon after began the celebrations with National Flag hosting ceremony by Mrs. Manjeet Kaur, the vice-principal followed by a ‘Band Parade’ presented by senior students of the school. Mrs. Balwinder Kaur, S.St. teacher did the honors with a speech describing the meaning, importance & history of freedom struggle to the young ebullient students.
Then began the cultural performances. Students along with 4 choreographers showcased popular patriotic songs in Hindi & Punjabi. Several junior students also presented creative patriotic poems & messages featuring diversity of Indian culture, sacrifice stories of freedom fighters etc & exhibited spirit to fight against social evils like Drugs, corruption, poverty, female foeticide, dowry & communal riots. Slogans like ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’, ‘Jai Hind’, ‘Inqlab zindabad’ filled the air with the vibes of patriotism.
A feast was organized at the conclusion of the ceremony, wherein all the students alongside teaching & non-teaching staff of the school had a meal together & shared sweets.
Similar celebrations were held across more than hundred Akal Academies across Punjab, Haryana, UP, HP and Rajasthan.
~ Ramandeep Singh, Student
~ New Delhi, 22nd Aug 2013
Many of us must have heard of the phrase ‘make your own history’, which advocates us to “go do something of our own” and that ‘something’ implies an effort or an accomplishment for which we will be remembered for ages. Ever since we learn that, we get on en route to discover that special “something” in search for that special effort that would help stay in the pages of the history we will leave behind us. Years through, we keep trying to discover ourselves; going places, meeting endless people, shedding all we can to get there., But somewhere in our quest, we land up blindly following the footsteps of others, losing our own identity, without even ever realizing it.
The context above is in reference to someone, who is no different from all of us, in fact less privileged, or for that matter, even misfortunate by birth.. On my recent tour to baru sahib during my internship, i across a student, Amandeep Kaur. A sprightly young girl from village Bhamma Badi, Sangrur, which is a predominantly rural area in the southern part of Punjab.
Born to Gurmeet Singh, a petty-jobs worker who always struggled with strained resources to meet both ends, Amandeep grew up helping her mother tide over expenses doing household work for her family and for others in the neighborhood too. Torn between thoughts of reality & her desires, Amandeep’s her faith in God helped her keep moving in life with a a hope for a better tomorrow.. She turned out into a full-of-energy youthful countenance and now beholds a fine personality. Her challenges seemed endless within the village environment to realize her silent dreams. But, as if guided by providence, she kept on honing her subtle-skills of sincerity, hard work, ability, knowledge to live through those dreams in real to set Her goals & self-determination did wonders & brought her a long distance.
I was stupefied and amazed when I interacted with her. This coy and soft-spoken girl literally swept me of my feet with her delicate and sober conduct. It felt peaceful serene to be around, she was swift, sensible & her talks carried substance & depth that is nowhere found in city-life, she was indeed “a Life” in herself.
Amandeep grabbed her lifetime opportunity when she learnt of the Free Teachers Training program being conducted by The Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib. It was with help of her friend and got her application filled and applied, after prolonged discussions for approval of her parents. She recalls , “I sold them my dreams and I was fortunate that my parents realized my aspirations wherein my happiness resided”. Amandeep today is in her 2nd year (English enhancement) at Akal Institute of Rural Women Empowerment Baru Sahib; after having successfully completed her first year foundation course. She is gearing up simultaneously to appear for her 12th Board exams. Many a heads turned when she scored an exceptional 86% in Maths during her Terminals. “It wasn’t as easy at is sounds” tells us Amandeep; she struggled with an eye ailment that took a year to subside
Aman possesses good pickup skills & her prime interests are in science and social studies. Besides academics, she takes keen interest at other creative activities at school including stage plays.Amongst colleages she is known as a and she has left her mark as a reserved personality & a patient listener who give an ear ofrespect to everyone’s opinion., maintaining her calm and poise.
Amandeep surprised quite a few Teachers recently when she proudly wrote two books named “ Prince and the Princess ” & “Me and my Quilt”. Given her limited knowledge of English language or skills to communicate, her work was much liked & appreciated by her teachers,s he was the star of her batch for having produced these books.
Amandeep’s approach to life provides us a critical reminder, that, in the race of life winner is the one who does not look back or upon other’s track but the one who keeps moving forward, watching his own pace, focusing the finishing line as his own exclusive. She believes she has to do a lot to improve herself, & her confidence and presentation capabilities affirm she will be a successful woman who works hard towards turning her dreams into reality. Her trainers believe that once she completes her course and is employed as a Teacher, her job will not only help herself but also her family in stepping to a better world.
Commendable is the spirit of unknown sponsorers like Amandeep’s education, who discreetly serve the nation & humanity in true sense. . Maybe it is people like her who are blessed souls that share their riches and generosity to bring smiles on scores of deprived girls like Amandeep.
~ Ramandeep Singh, Student
~ New Delhi, 21st Aug 2013
Whilst the socio-virtual world is all engaged in their “e-ways” to do their bit in the global “ Go Green “ uprising ; young aspiring rural students of class 7th of “ Akal Academy “ in the remote village Uddat Saidewala ( distt. Mansa ), Punjab, showed their spirit by resorting to the basic fundamentals.
In an event exquisite for any rural village, several kids, under cooperation of their teachers & the principal, planted about a 100 trees to celebrate the break of the monsoons. Variety of trees planted included poplars like Neem, Imali, Daikes, Safeda, Kaner & many others. Monsoons hold relevance no short of a religious festival, in the village carrying trend of constantly fighting against water scarcity/contamination & the several connected issues that arise from it i.e. diseases like cancer, stomach infections, epidemics etc.
Environmentalists explain the relevance of planting trees relating to several commonly observed needs such as, a source of fuel (wood), for fencing, paper, etc ; alongside scientific & the natural benefits, like, as an aid in adjusting the velocity of winds preventing soil erosion. Amongst all, the perspective of the young children, who were the lifeline of the event; was the wisest. For them, the idea of planting trees is an opportunity, to serve people, to prepare a gift for several; who will be served by the trees, by its shadow, fruits & flowers; & like a bouquet , the fragrance of love.
~ Ramandeep Singh, Student
~ 8th Aug 2013, Rohini, New Delhi
