{"id":6010,"date":"2025-02-02T12:14:20","date_gmt":"2025-02-02T06:44:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.barusahib.org\/?p=6010"},"modified":"2025-02-12T12:49:09","modified_gmt":"2025-02-12T07:19:09","slug":"the-cobblers-lesson-a-turning-point-in-baba-iqbal-singh-jis-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/barusahib.org\/blog\/the-cobblers-lesson-a-turning-point-in-baba-iqbal-singh-jis-life\/","title":{"rendered":"The Cobbler\u2019s Lesson &#8211; A Turning Point in Baba Iqbal Singh Ji\u2019s Life"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_88 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/barusahib.org\/blog\/the-cobblers-lesson-a-turning-point-in-baba-iqbal-singh-jis-life\/#A_Humbling_Encounter_Under_the_Scorching_Sun\" >A Humbling Encounter Under the Scorching Sun<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/barusahib.org\/blog\/the-cobblers-lesson-a-turning-point-in-baba-iqbal-singh-jis-life\/#An_Unexpected_Lesson_in_Humility\" >An Unexpected Lesson in Humility<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/barusahib.org\/blog\/the-cobblers-lesson-a-turning-point-in-baba-iqbal-singh-jis-life\/#A_Revelation_That_Changed_His_Perspective\" >A Revelation That Changed His Perspective<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/barusahib.org\/blog\/the-cobblers-lesson-a-turning-point-in-baba-iqbal-singh-jis-life\/#From_a_Curious_Child_to_a_Visionary_Leader\" >From a Curious Child to a Visionary Leader<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/barusahib.org\/blog\/the-cobblers-lesson-a-turning-point-in-baba-iqbal-singh-jis-life\/#A_Legacy_That_Lives_On\" >A Legacy That Lives On<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Humbling_Encounter_Under_the_Scorching_Sun\"><\/span>A Humbling Encounter Under the Scorching Sun<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In the summer of <strong>1934,<\/strong> the village of <strong>Bharyal Lehri<\/strong> in Gurdaspur baked under an unforgiving sun. The heat was so intense that most people sought refuge indoors. But fate had other plans for <strong>eight-year-old Iqbal Singh<\/strong>, who joyfully ran errands for his sister. His task was simple\u2014take her sandals to the local cobbler for repair.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"An_Unexpected_Lesson_in_Humility\"><\/span>An Unexpected Lesson in Humility<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>As young Iqbal reached the cobbler\u2019s spot under a <strong>large tree<\/strong>, he was met with the <strong>strong scent of leather and grime<\/strong>. The <strong>unkempt, gray-haired cobbler<\/strong> worked skillfully with his hands, unaware that this encounter would leave a lasting impression on the boy.<\/p>\n<p>Iqbal, having a natural aversion to leather, looked at the <strong>dirty, tattered man<\/strong> with a sense of silent superiority. But as he watched the cobbler<strong> run a thread through his mouth<\/strong> before stitching the sandals, his curiosity was piqued.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cWhat are you putting in your mouth?\u201d he asked, his face twisting in disgust.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The cobbler answered plainly, \u201cCow leather from dead cows.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Horrified, Iqbal recoiled, exclaiming, \u201cChee Cheee\u2026 Chamda (leather) in your mouth?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Revelation_That_Changed_His_Perspective\"><\/span>A Revelation That Changed His Perspective<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The cobbler, wise beyond his years, simply looked at the boy and asked, <strong>\u201cTu maa da dudh pita hai?\u201d<\/strong> (Did you drink your mother\u2019s milk?)<\/p>\n<p>Iqbal nodded confidently, unaware of what was coming next.<\/p>\n<p>The cobbler followed with a profound question, <strong>\u201cTaan oh chamda nahi si tere mooh vich?\u201d<\/strong> (Was it not leather in your mouth then?)<\/p>\n<p>At that moment,<strong> Iqbal\u2019s sense<\/strong> <strong>of superiority crumbled.<\/strong> The simple yet profound wisdom of the cobbler struck him like lightning. The boy who had once thought himself<strong> above others<\/strong> realized how <strong>perception shapes understanding.<\/strong> This brief moment planted the seed of <strong>humility, self-awareness,<\/strong> and <strong>compassion<\/strong> in his heart.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"From_a_Curious_Child_to_a_Visionary_Leader\"><\/span>From a Curious Child to a Visionary Leader<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This <strong>turning point<\/strong> in young Iqbal Singh\u2019s life <strong>reshaped his mindset,<\/strong> paving the way for a journey dedicated to <strong>education, service<\/strong>, and <strong>humility<\/strong>. Years later, he would go on to become <strong>Director of Agriculture in Himachal Pradesh<\/strong> and, after retirement, <strong>Baba Iqbal Singh Ji<\/strong>, a <strong>beacon of wisdom<\/strong> and <strong>selfless service.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>He dedicated his life to transforming rural education, founding:<\/p>\n<p>\u2705 <strong>130 rural Akal Academy schools<\/strong> under <strong>the Kalgidhar Society, Baru Sahib<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>\u2705 Akal University, Talwandi Sabo<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>\u2705 Eternal University, Baru Sahib Sirmour<\/strong><br \/>\n\u2705 Educational sponsorships under<a href=\"https:\/\/educatetosave.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored\"> Educate to Save<\/a><br \/>\n<strong>\u2705 CSR opportunities via <a href=\"https:\/\/csrforchange.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener sponsored\">CSR for Change<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>\u2705 Women empowerment initiatives, drug de-addiction programs, and charitable hospitals<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>His tireless efforts earned him prestigious honors, including <strong>Padma Shri, Vidya Martand, and Shiromani Panth Rattan.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Legacy_That_Lives_On\"><\/span>A Legacy That Lives On<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Today, as we mark the <strong>29th of January<\/strong>, we remember <strong>Baba Iqbal Singh Ji\u2019s transition into the Divine Light<\/strong> in 2022 at the <strong>age of 96.<\/strong> His life, <strong>wisdom,<\/strong> and <strong>contributions<\/strong> continue to inspire millions.<\/p>\n<p>With each step he took, he sowed seeds of enlightenment, uplifting countless lives through education and selfless service. His legacy is as vast as the sky, guiding us toward humility, wisdom, and compassion.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his teachings illuminate our paths forever.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Humbling Encounter Under the Scorching Sun In the summer of 1934, the village of Bharyal Lehri in Gurdaspur baked under an unforgiving sun. The heat was so intense that most people sought refuge indoors. But fate had other plans for eight-year-old Iqbal Singh, who joyfully ran errands for his sister. His task was simple\u2014take [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6011,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7,59,3],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-6010","post","type-post","status-publish","format-image","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-religion","category-honour-and-respect","category-spiritual","post_format-post-format-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/barusahib.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6010","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/barusahib.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/barusahib.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/barusahib.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/barusahib.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6010"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/barusahib.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6010\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6014,"href":"https:\/\/barusahib.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6010\/revisions\/6014"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/barusahib.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6011"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/barusahib.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6010"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/barusahib.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6010"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/barusahib.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6010"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/barusahib.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=6010"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}