The issue of Kesh looms large in all the lives of Sikh children. One of the many challenges that Sikhs face is the hostility among the youth for the Turbans. Sikh parents face the challenge of nurturing the child, keeping seeds of Sikhi preserved.

Sikh Students also face difficult problems in the society- which impact on their self esteem and quality of life. Akal Academies are well aware of the challenges children with Kesh face at schools and thus take proactive steps to ‘arm’ their children with the skills to combat these challenges, and to build their self esteem so they can wear their Kesh and turbans with pride.

Taking a step forth in this light, Kesh Sambhal & Dastar Bandi Contest was held at Akal Academy, Theh Kalandar. The young participants adorned themselves beautifully with Dastars.

The atmosphere echoed with “Sir Jaaye taa jaave, mera Sikhi Sidak Naa Jaave” making the atmosphere emotional and inspirational.

Principal graced the ceremony with her inspiring words, “The Sikh turban is not just a piece of cloth, but a symbol, with of hundreds of years of our history and heritage wrapped in it. May it always be a reminder for you to stand up for yourself and others who need help in this world.”

The main Motive of such activities at school is Raising Sikhs of the Future & Grooming an army of Sikh youths according to the Sikh tenets.

The young children will be given a thorough knowledge of all walks of life including manners and civic sense along with Value based Education at Akal Academy. Thus the upcoming Sikh youths will be shaped as preachers of Guru Khalsa Panth’s thoughts and well equipped with modern education as well.

~ Tapasleen Kaur
~ New Delhi, 15th May ’15

In order to make children aware of uses of waste material, to give them a lesson on reducing waste to save our future, a ‘Best out of Waste ‘activities were organized for students.

Students from III to IX participated in the activity. Students were invited to prepare any object they wished for using their inspiration, ideas and creativity, understanding that waste material is something found in the garbage or something that is normally intended to be thrown away.

Right from waste ropes to broken bangles, plastic bottles, bulbs, waste nails to plastic glasses every waste material was used and the result was a hall full of projects made out of waste. The teachers appreciated the models made by children.

Our goal through the activity were; to reach maximum number of students and contribute to make them aware about environmental issues and how to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle, to collect some ideas from students through self-expression, for students to learn and progressively understand that resources should be used carefully & that they could reuse waste material and not always depend on new things.

The exhibition was kept open for all the students to see during school hours. The exhibits left the children astonished, spreading inspiration, awareness and sustainability understanding to other students through the exhibition of the works.

~ Tapasleen Kaur
~ New Delhi, 14th May 15

The importance of learning English cannot be overstated in an increasingly interconnected and globalized world.
Bringing the rural kids to the forefront & in pace with the modern world, Akal Academy Bhadaur organized an “Inter House English activity”, giving the participants, opportunities to express themselves creatively in English, for example, through drama, poetry or storytelling.

Classes belonging from Ist to X standard students participated in it. They were given different themes according to their standard. Various groups were allocated to different age groups with interesting topics, Storytelling, Poem recitation, Creative writing.

Four students from each class and section took participated in it according to their respective houses. Abhay, Ajay, Amul, Atul. Total of 125 participants participated in it. The students were full of vigor and enthusiasm. The Principal also took around for supervision & appreciated their zeal of participation.

Ajay, Amul house stood first followed by Abhay house, Amul House, Atul House with the help of English HOD result was declared. Overall result declared Amul House as the final winner.

Students who lack interaction, motivation in the classroom, either because they are introvert, shy or they have a low language level, this might be a good solution to involve them with their friends in doing various activities and to make weak student active. The good thing about this was giving chance to students to study English with fun and improvise their English at the same time.

Such activities help the students to get a grip over the language and face the challenges with confidence. These sessions are a very valuable part of the English language& for the students to experience.

Paving the way for students to build up their personality & discover themselves!

~ Tapasleen Kaur
~ New Delhi, 13th May ’15

To make students aware of the upcoming scarcity of Energy Resource & their possible solutions, Akal Academy, Kalloh conducted an interactive session on Energy Conservation including various activities such as model making & explanation, skits highlighting the theme of Save Electricity, poem recitation.

Colorful theme based charts were made by the students to be displaying the classrooms. The teachers and the young and enthusiastic learners decided to widen their horizons on the way energy harnesses for various purposes and inquired about other alternative sources of energy.

Most of the students resolved to take the ideas of Energy Conservation to their households and make their parents and other villagers aware of the scope of Energy conservation. So the inquiry into the various sources of energy provided the students an insight to the alternate sources of energy available in nature free of cost!

Such Interaction sessions provided students immense knowledge about the vast scope of various sources of energy in a big way in future so as to overcome the shortage of electric power in the world.

The day was well productive & fruitful for the students.

~ Tapasleen kaur
~ New Delhi, 13th May ’15

Celebrating the beautiful & warm spirit of motherhood, Students of Akal Academy Theh Kalandar celebrated Mothers Day on an emotional note. The students honored & expressed gratitude to their mothers by drawing beautiful handwritten cards with a personal touch. Students expressed their love & affection for their mothers.

Mother’s day Celebrations serves as an important learning experience by providing opportunities to discuss and acknowledge the Value of a Mother in our lives. A Day to pay Tribute to the hardships & struggles every mother undergoes while raising a child.

The day ended beautifully, filling the aura of motherly warmth to the air.

~ Tapasleen Kaur
~ New Delhi, 12th May ’15

Akal Academy, Bilga was once again abuzz with activities as the new academic session commenced in most of the educational institutions. The beginning of a new session is always an auspicious time – a time for new hopes and renewed dreams. “The school campus will bloom once again to receive new life with the echoes of the students. Children were seen dressed up in uniform with knife-edged creases, carrying big schoolbags, new books and lunch boxes to schools early morning. Students were too enthusiastic to get into their school life.

The day commenced with Nitnem Bhog of Shri Sehaj path which was being done by students followed by Shabad Kirtan.

Principal Harpreet Kaur Sahni welcomed the students & blessed them to be in high spirits. She congratulated the students for success & motivated them to work hard to achieve their goals. After this Mr. JB Singh welcomed the students and congratulated them for their good results. Parshad was distributed after the congregation.

“We strongly feel that each child is unique and school is a training ground for moulding their life. We believe in the genius lurking within every child, wanting to be discovered and transformed into a complete individual while experiencing the joys of life along the road,” said a school principal.

~ Tapasleen Kaur
~ New Delhi, 12th May ’15

Students of Akal Academy, Dhotian receive honor for their Gurmat performances. Gurmat competition was conducted in Goindwal Sahib. Students stood first in Gurbani Kanth competition as well as in speech presentations.

It’s great to see these little young aces perform so well in front of the Sangat. It gives us a sense of satisfaction that our students are equally growing both academically & spiritually, which is the main objective of our organization & all Academies.

The young children are given a thorough knowledge of all walks of life. These Students will be shaped as preachers of Guru Khalsa Panth’s thoughts and well equipped with modern techniques.

~ Tapaseen Kaur
~ New Delhi, 8th May ’15

English Olympiad by Silver Zone foundation was organized in our Academy. The main motive is to enhance the level of school students beyond their regular studies by paving way for them to compete at International level. To be part of this Olympiad our 55 students participated in it from class 3rd to 12th. Five Students bagged gold medals, five students won silver medal and three students got bronze medal.

Organizer of this exam was Mr Sameer Singh. The highest score is 85.701 which is scored by Simranjot Kaur of class 4th. Two students Harjit Kaur(+2) science and Simranjot Kaur(4th )class appeared in 2nd level test. Simranjot kaur cleared 2nd level test by getting 32 state rank and 597 olympiad rank and Harjeet Kaur cleared 2nd level test with 10th state rank and 283 olympiad rank. The Principal congratulated the winners and motivated others to take part in such type of exams with full preparation & zeal to strive.

~ Tapasleen Kaur
~ New Delhi, 8th May ’15

Dedicated to 425th incarnation day of Shri Guru Arjun Dev Ji Maharaj “Gurbani Jaap” samagam was organized at Gurdwara Shri Dukh Nivaran Sahib by Nanaksar Patiala on 2nd may 2015.

In this samagam students from various schools, teachers, Sant Mahapurush and many famous personalities of the Sikh panth were present. On the occasion of birth anniversary of Shri Guru Arjun Dev Ji Maharaj thousands of students from different Akal Academies participated.

In this samagam 5000 students and teachers from Akal Academies including Balbehra, Reeth Kheri, Fatehgarh Channa, Cheema Sahib, Bhai Desa, Dhudial, Benra, Seona, Dhindsa, Mander, Fatehgarh Ganduan, Rajia, Bhadaur, Bhunsla, Ubhia, Madhopur, Ratola, Ranno, Manal, Uddat Saidewal, Moonak, Chak Bhai ke, Dharamgarh Channa and Phaphre Bhai Ke collectively recited paths of ‘Shri Japji Sahib’ and seeked blessings from Shri Guru Arjun Dev Ji.

During samagam, Baba Harcharan Singh Nanaksar honored the sewadars of Baru Sahib on behalf of Baba Iqbal Singh Baru Sahib wale.

All the participants of this Japp-Tapp samagam were rewarded with the certificate.

~ Harsimrat Kaur
~ Cheema Sahib, 7th May ’15

To boost the self-confidence of the students & enhance their speaking skills, free talk sessions were organised by the teachers of Akal Academy, Dhotian. Students are allowed to chose the subject of their interest to speak about which enhances their public speaking skills as well as boosts their confidence. Students are asked to comment on what another student has said. Questions can be asked and students can be invited to discuss possible answers with each other before the public discussion.

Such skills are the ones which are developed through practice. Having an edge over speaking is the need of the hour installing a dose of confidence among the students. During such sessions teachers add to the student’s vocabulary of new words.

In fact, in earlier times students were punished for talking in class! Over time, the modern time educators realized that students had to use the language if they were to become better educated. As a result, well-intentioned educators called on individual students to respond to questions. Teachers expected them to use academic language in their individual responses, and as students spoke, teachers would assess their knowledge.

Akal Academy under the aegis of Kalgidhar Society take up challenges which are often faced by rural kids and make sure they add such extra-curricular activities to their academic sessions which makes learning more productive. They work step by step in building the foundation of literacy for rural students.

~ Tapasleen Kaur
~ New Delhi, 6th May ’15