Young 3^rd & 4^th Graders of Akal Academy Sangha gave a marvellous performance & won 16 medals for the Academy in the recent Olympiad tests. The 16 medals included 2 Golds & 2 Silvers in – Mathematics, Science & English each, 2 Bronze in Mathematics, 1 Bronze in Science & English each.

“We are very proud & happy that these young rural students have portrayed such performance & showcased confidence no less than city school kids in the popular Olympiad test. This indeed gives us great sense of achievement both personal & towards the goal of the organization, the Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib of bringing about a Rural Transformation. I am typically happy about the performance in English language test”, quoted Headmistress Ms. Baljeet Kaur whilst sharing the details of the test results.

~ Ramandeep Singh
~ New Delhi, 14th Feb ’14

Sometimes I feel that I am in some kind of a transition dream; from my father’s paddy fields at village Thandewala to being a Technical Assistant Manager at Fastway Tranmission Pvt. Ltd. Ludhiana. This journey brought a paradigm shift from a simpleton family to the age of digitization, amidst HD monitors, Digital boxes & LEDs. My plaything and toys consisted of old cartons, wooden discards and empty tin boxes. But now, my life revolves around cable meshes & the responsibility of handling 350+ channels.

I, Manpreet Singh could’ve well been a petty farmer, like my father, had I not been fortunate enough to receive my schooling from Akal Academy, Muktsar. Through my letter, I wish to convey all that’s has occupied a permanent place in my heart – Love, that, like a tree, will only keep blooming further as long as I live.

As a student, I was no brilliant but with blessings of God Almighty & the efforts of the teachers, I could always manage to score decent & my school instilled into me much more that academics. It imbibed into me the values & the spiritual element – the Nitnem; Our Heritage; Knowledge of our religion & much more from those Sakhis that our teachers narrated with such great intent.

Travelling to school was a real challenge. The school was 11 Kms away from my village, but my farmer father would escort me to school each day until the bus service started finally in the later years, as eventually the students’ strength was increasing.

I credit my school for most of my interest & knowledge of sports & arts. It was at school that I developed interest, learned & participated in various sport games & art workshops; the extra-curricular observed ensured that each child is participating whilst the P.T. teachers paid equal attention towards motivating everyone to be a part of the activities; +1 & +2 years were much filled with playing & all about games.

Amongst teachers, I wish to pay my regards to Akhvinder SIr, who gave us a strong foundation in English language & also our Principal Madam Sukhraj Kaur, who strongly motivated all the students at the school to work hard & perform well. Besides the regular school teachers, I also have memories of a very special external faculty, Jasmine Sir, who had especially come from Tamil Nadu to teach us Mathematics – he provided us an incredible base on the subject.

The Academy did a great job in improving the education situation in the village, but unfortunately, at my village not everyone could afford to send their kids to school, several of the families lived BPL & many of the village children remained out of school for that reason. But recently I have learnt that Akal Academies are running special programs like DeedaDay.in & other ancillary initiatives to provide free education such deprived children through sponsorship programs, which I feel can change the situation drastically.

As for the society, I desire more safety for people in our society, especially for people at the village & women, where Drug-Alcohol abuse is causing much damage.  I wish there are more Akal Academies & similar schools; infact, all Govt schools should adapt the values based schooling model like Akal Academies run by The Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib. A secure environment for students, especially for women alongside spirituality really makes a huge difference – I sincerely thank Akal Academies & wish even more success to the Baru Sahib’s Kalgidhar Trust in their noble endeavors. Gur-Fateh.

Atam Pargas Social Welfare Council (APSWC), Ludhiana, recently organized a Principals Conference on ‘Efficient Teaching: Methodologies and Responsibilities’ at Akal Academy Dhanal Kalan, Jalandhar on February 8, 2014.

More than 150 school principals/teachers from different districts of Punjab participated in the conference organized with the support of The Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib. Principal Narinderpal Singh (Retd.), Paritbha Vidhalya, Delhi talked about the teaching methodologies of Guru Nanak and inspired the teachers to develop their personality in the light of Gurbani; he discussed about the Great massacre of Sikhs that happened at Kup Rahira near Malerkotla during these days in 18th century and encouraged the teachers to be proud about the rich heritage and motivated them to come up as efficient nation builders.

Dr. Varinderpal Singh, Chairman APSWC encouraged the teachers to accept their professional responsibility with passion. He cautioned the decline of moral values in the society and emphasized the need for adopting value based teaching methodologies. He also sensitized the importance of handling little minds with responsibility and sincerity. While giving examples from day to day life he urged the teachers to adopt practical approach to tailor the minds of the students to lead a purposeful life. To achieve this objective effectively, the Council exhibited the ‘Jeeveey  Gurbani Naal-Play way book series’ meant for students of 2nd to 9th standard.

The impact of these books on the development of the child’s psychology was also discussed. The teachers not only listened to Dr. Varinderpal Singh with great intent but also owned their responsibility to work with new courage and devotion in their respective schools with raised hands. They were also seen keen to introduce special video DVD released by Atam Pargas in their school syllabus.

Pr. Hardev Kaur, Guru Hargobind Academey, Kothe Bagu, Pr. (Dr.) Kala Singh, Guru Arjan Dev Public School, Kartarpur, Pr. Jasdeep Mohan, Lyallpur Khalsa Senior Sec. School, Jalandhar and others appreciated the contribution of Atam Pargas to empower teaching community in the country and  called all the teachers to support the initiative of Atam Pargas with commitment.

On the occasion, Principal Harpreet Kaur, Akal Academy Dhanal Kalan while proposing vote of thanks, appreciated the workshop as wonderful experience in her life. She congratulated the young participant teachers that they are lucky to learn in today’s workshop at age younger than her. She extended all kind of support to organize these workshops at her school in future.

Be a part of this wave of Rural Transformation here – www.Deedaday.in

~ Ramandeep Singh
~ New Delhi, 11th Feb ’14

Sant Attar Singh Ji’s main branch Baru Sahib’s division of Akal Academy, located at village Bhadaur recently organized an inter-school competition in which around 77 students from 11 different schools participated.

The event observed Painting, Hand-Writing, Essay-Composition & Speech Competitions. During the competition, amongst the Special Guests – Akal University, ‘Guru Kanshi’ Damdama Sahib’s Zonal Director Principal Tejinderjeet Singh, Madam Lamba and Intercom University’s Professor Praveen were present.

After the competitions, Principal Tejinderjeet Singh motivated the children to study with a great intent whilst addressing the students; he also said that the students who receive low marks should not feel low or lose hope, but, should instead work with more determination to secure better marks next time. On the occasion, Professor Praveen provided vital information about Baru Sahib to students & their parents during his speech.

Winning participants from the competitions were presented with certificates and the teachers alongside others attendees accompanying the participants were also honored. Academy’s Principal Madam Gurdeep Kaur gave special thanks to the visiting Special Guests, Accompanying teachers & other attendees of the event.

~ Deeksha Singh
~ New Delhi, 11th Feb ’14

The Kalgidhar Trust proudly announces that Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Maharatna Company (a Public Sector Undertaking),under the Golden Jubilee CSR Project has extended its support for 60 KW multiple-grid interactive SPV Power Plant to be installed in two rural Akal Academies ( 30 KW each in Akal Academy, Dadehar Sahib and Akal Academy, Teja Singh Wala of Tarn Taran district, Punjab).

The agreement in this regard was signed on 6^thFebruary 2014 at BHEL office, Noida between BHEL –IVP Goindwal and The Kalgidhar Trust.

This agreement states that the power produced from these plants will be transferred to the main grid and extra power (beside Schools consumption) will be a great source of energy for the locals.

The Kalgidhar Trust – Baru Sahib is a non-profit charitable organisation focussed on providing quality education to fight against the alarming rise in drugs and alcohol abuse. With equal stress on Healthcare, Women Empowerment and Social Welfare, the organisation has been instrumental in the socio-economic uplift of the poor in the far-flung rural areas of North India.

Today the rural areas of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan, and the backward hilly areas of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab are dotted with 129 low cost CBSE Schools, providing modern, value-based education to around 60,000 students. The students are mostly from the deprived sections of society, admitted regardless of caste, creed, region, religion and social status. The aim is to build a total of 500 low cost schools to provide value-based education to all children at the village level.

News Coverage:

~ Deeksha Singh
~ New Delhi, 10th Feb ’14

As per the orders of Honorable Advisor, Health & Education Dr. Neelam Kaur, Baru Sahib, Akal Academy located at village Uddat Saidewala observed a Kindergarten Workshop recently on 1-February 2014.

Resource person, Ms. Gurjeet Kaur, Headmistress of the Academy, informed us about the key agendas of the workshop – the workshop observed discussions on  various strategies :

– To create maximum activities for the kindergarten children;
– How  to make children able to understand general commands in English & able to converse in English;
– Emphasis on Moral Values & General Behavior changes to attract parents attention so that their child may go n explicate good manners through habit of recitation of path, divinity poems, Rhymes at home .
– Also, a system to receive feedback from the parents was discussed.

“Several teachers attended the workshop with great enthusiasm & learnt new techniques with immense focus & dedication”, quoted the Headmistress, Mrs. Gurjeet Kaur whilst sharing her report on the workshop which was observed in light of keeping the teachers up to date with the latest & innovative techniques of providing an effective value based education to the little young students.

~ Ramandeep Singh
~ New Delhi, 7th Feb ’14

An Inter School, ‘Sant Attar Singh Ji’ Knowledge- Quest was organized recently during the ongoing series of Seminars on Re-Kinetising Education that will are to continue till 10 Feb 2014 across various Akal Academies and other institutions; students from class 6th to 12th of various Akal Academies participated in the quiz event.

During the event, the students competed in Debates on: Slogan Writing Competition, Women Empowerment and Media – a blessing or a Curse? The students also presented colorful Artistic representation encouraging Anti-Alcohol/Drug De-addition in the Art Competition event.

During the program, Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Training & Placement Officer, Eternal University, Baru Sahib; Dr. Maghar Singh, Retired Chief Education Officer; Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain, Head Training & Placement, SLIET Longwal and Geeta Goswami, School Inspector were present. Mr. Sanjay Kumar provided information about various courses being offered at Eternal University to the students whilst Dr. P.K. Jain, shared his views about value-based education being provided to Rural children by Baru Sahib.

Towards Conclusion, the special guests presented the winners of the competition with prizes & certificates. Akal Academy Principal S.Baljeet Kaur and Beant Kaur thanked the invited special guests.

The seminars & the Knowledge quest, organized by Eternal University, Baru Sahib, with support of Akal Academies under the organization of the Kalgidhar Trust are focused on subject of providing values based education alongside spiritual & scientific education to the under-privileged & Rural children in North India.

~ Ramandeep Singh
~ New Delhi, 5th Feb ’14

With the grace of Almighty and the generous support of Sadh Sangat, a ‘Shabad Gayan Samagam’ was observed by Akal Academy Dhanal Kalan. The event saw an overwhelming response from Sangat which comprised of staff members, parents and students from all Dhanal Kalan cluster academies alongside their Headmistresses.

The Samagam was held in an assembled Pandal in the ground of Akal Academy, Dhanal Kalan in remembrance of the ‘Parkash Utsav of Shri Guru Har Rai Ji’. Amongst participating academies were Akal Academy Boparai Kalan , Akal Academy Mander Dona , Akal Academy Kakran Kalan , Akal Academy Ghugg.

62 students from all Academies, of Grade I to IV performed on stage. Open invitation was sent to parents of all the children. In all, more than 300 parents attended the function..

The ‘Samagam’ started with the Shabad Recitation by students of AA Dhanal Kalan ‘Deh Shiva Bar Mohyie Hai’ in which our tenth Guru , Shri Guru Gobind Singh ji urges the Almighty to give strength of work; Ms Kamalpreet Kaur handled the stage responsibility alongwith Grade IV students viz. Taranpreet Kaur , Arvinder Kaur and Harleen Kaur.

Ms. Kamalpreet Kaur threw light on the life of Shri Guru Har Rai Ji and the four goodnesses – Education, Health , Peace and Happiness which are promoted by The Kalgidhar Trust . “Shabad Gayan” the first section of Samagam was by students of AA Boparai Kalan by the shabad ‘Charan Kamal Ki Aas Piyare’.

Kawishris were presented in front of the audience, which made the spectators feel proud of being a family member of The Kalgidhar Trust Baru Sahib and Sikh Religion.

Two choreographies were also presented – delivered by Grade IV students of A A Dhanal Kalan and AA Mander Dona .

The enthusiasm which was shown through the expressions and action by the students sensitized the audience. Towards conclusion Ardas was recited by a Grade II student and Hukamnama was delivered by Grade IV students of AA Dhanal Kalan. Parents were amazed & extremely happy to see their wards presenting beyond their expectations.

Ms Harpreet Kaur – Principal, AA Dhanal Kalan thanked the parents for attending the ‘Samagam’ and encouraging the students with their presence. She told the parents that they were blessed to have such wonderful kids and asked them to pray for all Teachers & staff members to have the strength to fulfill their duties / responsibilities given by Hon’ble Baba Ji and help these students bloom & spread their fragrance where ever they go. All participants were honored with mementoes.

~ Ramandeep Singh
~ New Delhi, 5th Jan ’14

Teachers of several academies recently received a bouquet of Academic & Non-Academic upgrades through a series of workshops. Few of the key inclusions were Spoken English amongst students & children, Emphasis on more effective & interesting/child centric classroom teaching, Identification of learners with specials needs; also special focus & attention was given on value based education strategies.

The strategies were discussed for imbibing values amongst students for  – Reverence of ‘Dastaar’ on head after leaving the school, both for boys & girls; Better discipline/manners/etiquettes in van; Courteous & Respectful  behavior at home; Observation of SLC(Students Lead Conference) in addition to PTM(Parent Teachers’ Meeting) so children can showcase the knowledge gained.

On spiritual front, specific strategies were discussed around observance of NITNEM :-

– Deep reverence while Nitnem is in progress by all staff members (teaching & non-teaching)
– Availability of Gutka Sahib for all children and children to be made aware of the respect to be given to holy scripture
-No other parallel activity during Nitnem
-Emphasis on accurate Recitation and pronunciation of Nitnem should.
-Principal / Headmistress to oversee the proceeding of Nitnem Sahib (No delegation).
-Sikh students to get sensitized to Five Kakaars.

“It was a wonderful meeting as I shared many things regarding Academic, value based education, Nitnem & academic Managements and learnt a lot from our zonal directors, Inspection team and from Principals of the other academies. I felt energetic, motivated and felt with courage to do better in my academy so we decided to improve and I conducted the same workshop in my academy for two days and motivated my staff to implement the same by heart in our academy”, quoted Headmistress Gurjeet Kaur of Akal Academy Uddat Saidewala whilst sharing details of her report to the concerned department.

Appreciate the little efforts put in by the teachers and Principals to keep up the good work, Donate Here

~ Deeksha Singh
~ New Delhi, 3rd Jan ’14

Mansa’s District Education Officer, S. Swaran Singh Sandhu recently visited Akal Academy located at village Uddat Saidewala for inspection & doing NOC alongside his team members – Superintendent Mr. Hukam Chand Ji (Maths Expert), Mr. Singla & other team members. On this occasion, Chairman Dr. Khem Singh Gill was also present in support of Principal Gurjeet Kaur at the Academy.

The students welcomed the visiting guests with a welcome song & presented members with bouquets during the assembly where Mr. Sandhu & his team members observed all the activities & proceedings. Whilst addressing everyone, Principal Gurjeet Kaur welcomed the delegation and Dr.Khem Singh spoke about the Kalgidhar Trust Baru Sahib and extended his heartfelt greetings to the visiting team members.

Post assembly, after having refreshments, the team duly visited all the labs & classrooms during their inspection; besides checking all the records the students & also tested students with spontaneous questions on different subjects upon which the students gave satisfactory replies; Mr. Sandhu & his team appreciated the students’ performance.

~ Ramandeep Singh
~ New Delhi, 29th Jan ’14