A Normanton man who has broken a world record for growing the longest cucumber says his secret is praying to the plant every day.

Raghbir Singh Sanghera feeds the 49-inch plant – which is still growing – with water and fertiliser in the morning, lunchtime and evening, and sits next to it for three hours a day.

The 75-year-old was given the cucumber seeds by a friend five years ago and has planted them every year since.

Raghbir, a local priest and keen gardener, said: “Last year I grew a 39-inch cucumber with the same seeds but this year I wanted to do better. I sit next to it and pray for my health, for my family and for the cucumber.

“I’ve been growing vegetables all my life but I’ve never had anything like this. I think the hot weather may have helped it to grow.”

Raghbir recites the traditional Sikh prayer, the Mool Mantar, every morning next to the cucumber.

The first line of the prayer ‘Ik Onkar’, translates as ‘there is only one God.’

The previous world record of the longest cucumber was 42.5 inches.

Raghbir said: “I am so proud of it. When it stops growing I will keep it for a few weeks to show people but eventually I will eat it in a salad. It can’t go to waste!”

He said: “Our children and two grandchildren love coming to see it. They are very proud. It is like another child.”

Raghbir also grows Indian vegetables, sweetcorn and onions, but none have compared to the giant cucumber.

Normanton ward councillor Balbir Sandhu said: “Raghbir rang me on Friday to tell me that the cucumber was 46 inches. I told him to wait a few more days, then he rang me on Monday saying it had grown another three inches.

“He has to keep lifting it higher every day because it grows so fast and he has to hang it so it stays straight. I can’t believe it, it’s amazing.”

Raghbir plans to submit his cucumber to the Guinness Book of Records when it has stopped growing.

Source- www.derbytelegraph.co.uk

Akal Academy, Baru Sahib works as a benediction for thousands of children tucked in rural areas. It facilitates them with values and education to make their unprivileged lives significant and successful.

Their sole aim is to improve the lives of  such rural kids residing in distant rural areas with deficient facilities. Tendering them with education at low-cost schools and universities, Akal Academy gifts them adignified life.

Attaining education is difficult in rural areas. The case is worst when it comes to girls. Our conservative rural society does not give the allowance to girls to follow their dreams. They assume girls as a burden. But Akal Academy without being gender bias motivates girls to study and achieve what they want.

One of such fortunate child is our alumnus Satnaam Kaur. A genius mind deprived in a village Dona Nanka, district Fazilka, Punjab. Raised in a small village her eyes couldn’t stop dreaming BIG.

‘Does not matter where you come from, what matters is where you reach in the end.’

Satnaam’s ambitions were being polished by The Akal Academy, Baru Sahib and this was the major step leading to her success.  

‘The blend of hard work and opportunity is equal to profound successes’

Very gracefully she headed towards her goal of success. Fighting with challenges and tussles she grew into a golden charm. In her village where girls were deprived of education and freedom she made her own way.

She showed this keen interest for studying. She studied in a government school and marked her territory by topping Punjab in class 5th. Now her talent needed a perfect place to be settled in and embellished

She joined Akal Academy, Baru Sahib in her sixth grade where she was given free education. She secured an outstanding result of 93% in her XIIth medical examinations. Her talent was put into the right mould for procuring best results by this institution.

She pursued her further studies at Guru Angad Veterinary University

Then, she  gracefully scored 72 all India rank in NEET exams, which is an remarkable achievement.

She is the FIRST girl from this village to study till 12th class and the First one to become a Doctor. Her village, district is so proud of her achievements.

She procured all her education on the basis of her talent and hard work. People sponsored her studies.

Her parents were exhilarated with this news with their chest swelled with pride. They could not even afford her education fees but did not hestiate in taking a loan for their child’s education.

She is a wonderful Veterinarian- Animal Doctor now. And we all are so proud of her. She became the first doctor in her village who scripted her own story of success.

She recalls: – Akal Academy rejuvenated me. They educated me academically and spiritually so I can serve humanity. That serene environment is a blessing on earth. Whatever I learned it’s all because of this institution. From a small village to a Doctor today,I pay my whole credit and heartfelt gratitude to this celestial institute for helping me climb this ladder of success.

Satnaam Kaur very gracefully opened the windows for all other rural girls to seek dreams. Girls who never thought of escaping this rural life are now inspired and Dare to DREAM BIG. Her village has now opened their own high school for the advancement of children. Akal Academies are their footsteps to help them to make children achievers.

‘Success is just a word until you attain it.’

A sardar ji from Malaysia is making maves in the area of Islamic finance. An innovative financial solution in the area of sukuk, or Islamic bonds, by his team has won them yet another award.

Charanjeev Singh and Danny Kwan, the founding partners of New Paradigm Capital Markets Sdn Bhd, picked up the Best Structured Finance Sukuk by the Asset at The Asset Triple A Islamic Finance Awards 2018.

The award recognises their role as financial adviser and deal structurer for SkyWorld Capital Berhad’s RM1.0 billion sukuk programme.

“This recognition means an incredible amount to all of us at NewParadigm Capital Markets, as we are able to have an active part in the development of the Malaysian bond market,” Charanjeev Singh said in a statement.

Established in 2005, NewParadigm Capital Markets is an independent and privately-owned corporate finance advisory firm licensed by the Securities Commission of Malaysia. It is in the niche business of providing independent, unconflicted financial and strategic advice on capital raising, financings, recapitalisation & restructurings and mergers & acquisitions to a diverse client base.

The sukuk under consideration is said to be the first structured transaction in Malaysia involving unbilled sales and the first in the world to involve affordable housing, as well as the first Shariah compliant securitisation of progress billings and monetisation of progress billings in the market globally.

The transaction monetises future payments to be received from the sale of yet-to-be-completed development projects allowing the Issuer to more efficiently manage project development cash flows, according to the statement.

-asiasamachaar

In 1506 A.D. Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji stepped on the land of Odisha when he was on his tour to Assam and Bengal. Guru Nanak Ji took shelter at the city of Cuttack at a small cottage near the stay of a person named Chaitany Bharati who was a mesmerist. He used to perform witchcraft with the motive of mobilizing Bhairav. Due to the influence of Guru Nanak Ji several people used to gather there and started following him as well. Seeing this Chaitanya Bharti’s heart was full of jealousy and hatred for Nanak Ji and hence he started applying witchcraft to divert the attention of the people from Guru Nanak Dev Ji. But, all his trials were worthless.

Takhat Sri Damdama Sahib Talwandi Sabo, Bhatinda, is the fifth seat of the authority of Sikhs. This place owes its importance to the literary work of Guru Gobind Singh Ji done here during his stay in 1706.

It was at Damdama Sahib that Guru Gobind Singh Ji prepared the revised and authentic version of the Adi Granth which is now being honored by the Sikhs as Guru Granth Sahib Ji, their perpetual Guru or spiritual guide or teacher. He added to the original version prepared by Guru Arjan Dev Ji the verses of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji. A large number of new converts joined the fold of the Khalsa here. Guru Gobind Singh Ji stayed at Damdama Sahib for nearly a year.

One of the Five Takhats or Seat of Authority of the Sikhs. This takhat is situated at Batinda in Punjab, India and is the place where Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs prepared the full version of the Sikh Scriptures called Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in 1705. The Damdame Wali Bir or Damdami Bir as it is sometimes called was completed here by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. It was transcribed by Bhai Mani Singh Ji. The hymns of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji , the ninth Guru and father of Guru Gobind Singh Ji were added into the Bir.