Marching Forward As A Soul Soldier Fighting Against Drugs – Akal De-Addiction Center!

Working without any Govt. support, Akal De-Addiction Centre, Cheema Sahib has helped over 3400+ addicts restore and reclaim healthy lifestyle! Established in the year 2004 at Cheema Sahib, under the aegis of the Kalgidhar Trust of Baru Sahib, the Akal De-Addiction Centre has been relentlessly working towards rescuing the youth of Punjab from the swamp […]

Working without any Govt. support, Akal De-Addiction Centre, Cheema Sahib has helped over 3400+ addicts restore and reclaim healthy lifestyle!

Marching Forward As A Soul Soldier Fighting Against Drugs – Akal De-Addiction Center!Established in the year 2004 at Cheema Sahib, under the aegis of the Kalgidhar Trust of Baru Sahib, the Akal De-Addiction Centre has been relentlessly working towards rescuing the youth of Punjab from the swamp of Drug and Alcohol addiction. The centre provides treatment facilities to patients with or without admission to the asylum.

Providing details about the De-addiction centre, Dr. Rajinder Singh told that this centre, built in the hometown of Sant Attar Singh Ji, Akal De-Addiction Centre is operating with a non-profit motive with the sole interest of Human Welfare and for the purpose, all arrangements and expenditure is borne by the Kalgidhar Trust – Baru Sahib. For this noble cause, the same does not sought for any help or support of any kind from the Government. Till now, this De-Addiction Centre has provided treatment to around 2878 patients after admitting them into the asylum and around 600 have been treated otherwise (without admitting).


Another one of the De-Addiction Centre is at the headquarter District Sangrur, which has been established at the expense of Rs.52 Lakhs, with a capacity of 10 beds in the asylum. At each of these De-Addiction Centers, besides providing the medical and psychological treatment to the addicts, their self-confidence is also worked upon, giving them motivation and inspiration to start working towards earning an honest living. The patients are also nurtured spiritually wherein they are explained about its power and relevance alongside their practice during the special counseling sessions. 

Know more about our fight against Drugs here – http://barusahib.org/drug-and-alcohol-rehabilitation-center/

How Canadian canola is helping educate India’s poor

In the crisp air of the Himalayan foothills, an 89-year-old Sikh spiritual leader with a grey beard lies inside a thatched hut lit by lanterns and repeats a pronouncement that has echoed across the golden plains of Saskatchewan. “I have come to the conclusion,” he says hoarsely from beneath a black blanket, with two acolytes […]

In the crisp air of the Himalayan foothills, an 89-year-old Sikh spiritual leader with a grey beard lies inside a thatched hut lit by lanterns and repeats a pronouncement that has echoed across the golden plains of Saskatchewan.

“I have come to the conclusion,” he says hoarsely from beneath a black blanket, with two acolytes kneeling at his bedside, “that canola oil is the only oil.”

Iqbal Singh Kingra, once a director of agriculture for the Indian state government of Himachal Pradesh, is the revered head of a foundation that builds high-tech schools for India’s rural poor. What’s unusual is one of the ways he funds the effort: By selling canola oil harvested and ground on the Canadian Prairies.

His ardent belief in the health benefits of canola oil – a Canadian innovation – have made Mr. Kingra and his followers an unlikely bridge between farms in Western Canada and the immense edible oil market in India that Canadian canola farmers have never been able to crack. It’s a market where 1.2 billion people fry almost everything they eat, but do so mainly with palm oil.

For Mr. Kingra and the philanthropic Sikhs who work tirelessly for him, canola oil is simply a means to an end.

Angered by alarming levels of substance abuse and widespread illiteracy in their native Punjab, Mr. Kingra and his Kalgidhar Society want to construct schools as fast as they can – and donations simply can’t keep up. Mr. Kingra, whose followers refer to him by the spiritual title baba ji, turned to canola and decided to start a social business that would import Canadian canola oil to India.

Canola – a contraction of “Canadian” and “oil” – was engineered in the 1970s after concern over the high erucic acid content of other rapeseed oils. It is generally considered to be healthier than other oils because it has lower levels of saturated fats.

The society’s members first tried growing the yellow-flowering plant in Punjab, where the Green Revolution started in the 1960s. But despite farmers’ solid reputations in the grain-basket of India, it was still much cheaper to import the oil from Canada. And so the disciples of Mr. Kingra got on planes bound for the Canadian prairies, where they toured farms outside Saskatoon and found the October air unpleasantly chilly.

The first few years weren’t profitable for the business, which operates as Jivo, but has grown steadily. From early losses, the company is set to make $500,000 (U.S.) in profits this year and roughly $1-million next year – which could fund the sustainable construction of eight schools per year. Simultaneously, Canadian canola oil exports to India have jumped from just 82 tons in 2009 to around 1,600 tons in 2013.

Jivo estimates they now import about 300 tons of canola oil each month. Hudson, another canola oil company in India, also imports its canola oil from the Canadian prairies. But these numbers are tiny compared to India’s palm oil imports, which regularly exceed 800,000 tons each month, as well as Canada’s existing exports to India of peas and lentils. Oil importers face additional challenges because of tariffs designed to protect Indian oil producers.

Mr. Kingra’s vision is bold: With 129 modern schools built and 60,000 students already studying on high-tech digital smart boards – Mr. Kingra and his foundation want to expand to 500 schools by 2020.

In a tiny village called Balbehra, a gleaming, three-storey school rises from the surrounding wheat fields.

“This is a very backward part of Punjab,” says principal Rajinder Kaur Virk, as she strolls past students dressed in clean, plain blue and white uniforms switched everyday between boys and girls to encourage gender neutrality in an area where many fathers don’t send their girls to school. “The school has been a revolution.”

It seems to be working. “Sir, I want to become an engineer, a mechanical engineer,” says one 14-year-old girl, Arshbreet Kaur. “And my parents support me.”

The schools instill student leadership in their impoverished communities, as well as sometimes in their homes. Kaka Singh, a middle-aged farmer whose son attends the school, says he used to drink alcohol every night after working the fields, but gradually stopped, as he felt increasingly awkward drinking near his studying son. “My son is getting such a good education,” he says. “I run the risk of inspiring him also to drink. And I can’t do that.”

The society’s headquarters, where “Baba ji” lies in his hut, is not some premodern village. It is a 400-acre campus that includes schools, a university (where all undergraduates are women), a 300-bed hospital, a training centre for nurses with connections to U.S. universities, towering dormitories and a majestic Sikh Gurduwara. The schools even attract foreign students. “I know the education is really good here, especially compared to Ontario,” says Canadian Gurveen Cheema, 16, whose mother was a volunteer teacher here years ago.

Because the campus is remote, it needs to be self-reliant: there is a separate building for cleaning uniforms, a mechanic to repair their fleet of vehicles and a kitchen with huge vats of simmering Punjabi beans and lentils. A nearby mountainside is covered in solar panels.

“Have you seen my hut? It is symbolic,” says Mr. Kingra, or Baba ji, gesturing around him. “I could have retired and built a bungalow in Delhi or Chandigarh (Punjab’s capital) and read newspapers.”

Community members volunteer their time for the cause. “This is a battle we cannot afford to lose,” says Amandeep Singh, the founder of an advertising firm, as his driver pilots between the cattle-drawn bullock carts and grain-laden trucks of Punjab’s hectic harvest season.

“There’s so much to do,” he says. “And so much to lose if it’s not done.”

~ By IAIN MARLOW
~ The Globe and Mail, Canada

Follow Iain Marlow on Twitter: @iainmarlow

Ongoing – “Youth Leadership Training Camp” at Baru Sahib: Around 400 Students receiving ‘Gurmat Vidya’

Like every year, this year too, “The Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle” is organizing “Youth Leadership Training Camp” from 9th to 14th June at Gurdwara Baru Sahib where around 400 students are participating to receive ‘Gurmat Gyan’. “Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle” in association with the Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib has been organizing this camp every year at the Gurdwara Sahib at Baru Sahib since almost a decade.

This initiative carried out by “Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle”, which is truly worth appreciating, brings the young generation in contact with some of the greatest and the most prominent personalities of the Sikh Community, so that the youth can be imbibed with the heritage and values of ‘Gurmat’.

Gurdwara Baru Sahib, in support to this noble initiative of “Study Circle”, arranges for the accommodation and meals for all the participating students, the members of the “Study Circle” staff alongside facilitating other provisions.

~ Deeksha Singh
~ New Delhi, 12th Jun ’14

All 50 Surgeries performed successfully at the Free Medical Camp at Akal Charitable Hospital, Baru Sahib!

Over 350 smiles restored…

Working towards the welfare of humanity, the Kalgidhar Trust – Baru Sahib, restored health and brought smiles to over 350 ailing patients who had come from far flung regions to seek medical treatment from the specialized team of doctors at Akal Charitable hospital, Baru Sahib on 6th , 7th and 8th June.

During the medical camp, around 300 patients were treated and around 50 surgeries were performed Free of Cost; these included complicated & critical cases of Cholilithasis, Hysterectomy, Hernia, Plastic, ENT and Orthopedic which were all treated successfully by the expert doctors.

For the noble cause, a specialist team comprising of 18 doctors and 26 paramedics had come from Patiala who treated each and every patient with intense care, love and devotion.
Hail the efforts! Help us in this endeavor of common good of the masses and help us organize free medical camps here – http://barusahib.org/medical-camps/

~ Deeksha Singh
~ New Delhi, 9th Jun ’14

Winners all the way! – Combined Celebrations on Hockey, Basketball and Football events…

Students outperform at the 10th Sant Attar Singh Ji Memorial Hockey Tournament, 6th Sant Teja Singh Ji Memorial Basket Tournament and 4th Inter Academy Football Tournament for Girls!

Akal Academy, Baru Sahib organised an inter academy sports tournament for girls where students from across Akal Academies participated and displayed a great sportsmanship and inter academy bond. Akal Academy – Balbera, Bhadaur, Mander, Ajitsar Ratia, Dhinda, Cheema Sahib, Fatehgarh Channa and Baru Sahib A and B participated in the listed events.

 

After different rounds of matches the clear winners took appreciations and trophies back home…

Winners of Hockey Tournament –

1st Position
Akal Academy, Baru Sahib (A)

2nd Position
Akal Academy, Baru sahib (B) &
Cheema Sahib

3rd Position
Akal Academy, Bhai Desa

4th Position
Akal Academy, Fatehgarh Chhanna

Basketball Tournament Results –

1st Position
Akal Academy, Baru Sahib (A)

2nd Position
Akal Academy, Baru Sahib (B)

3rd Position
Akal Academy, Dhindsa

4th Position
Akal Academy, Ajitsar Ratia

Football Tournament Winners –

1st Position
Akal Academy, Balbehra

2nd Position
Akal Academy, Baru Sahib (A)

3rd Position
Akal Academy, Bhadaur
4th Position
Akal Academy, Mander

4th Position
Akal Academy, Baru Sahib (B)

The event was a great success organized by Organizing Secretary: Mr. Sikander Singh
The Umpires were Mr. D.S Randhawa, Mr. Anupam Sharma, Mr. Dilbag Singh, Mr. Ajay Kumar, Mr. Manpreet Singh

~ Deeksha Singh
~ New Delhi, 7th Jun ’14

Rural Student Outshine across Akal Academies with 98% Results in Class XII – CBSE

  Flagship of Fully Residential School: Akal Academy Baru Sahib(Estb. in 1987) CBSE XII Result – 2014 Total number of students passed 445 98.10% Students above 90% in aggregate 32 7.05% Students between 60% – 90% in aggregate 321 70.70% Total Students above 60% 353 78% Overall Highest % age of Marks 95.8% Subject wise […]

 

Flagship of Fully Residential School: Akal Academy Baru Sahib(Estb. in 1987)
CBSE XII Result – 2014
Total number of students passed 445 98.10%
Students above 90% in aggregate 32 7.05%
Students between 60% – 90% in aggregate 321 70.70%
Total Students above 60% 353 78%
Overall Highest % age of Marks 95.8%
Subject wise Highest Marks
Subject 1st Topper Academy 2nd Topper Academy 3rd Topper Academy
Chemistry 100 Balbehra 98 Balbehra 97 Balbehra
Biology 98 Balbehra 96 Balbehra 95 Baru Sahib, Bilga
Maths 99 Balbehra 98 Baru Sahib 97 Baru Sahib
Physics 95 Bilga, Gomti 94 Baru Sahib, Gomti 92 Baru Sahib, Bhadaur, Muktsar
Buss. Std. 97 Baru Sahib, Bilga 95 Baru Sahib, Bilga 94 Baru Sahib
Economics 96 Bilga 95 Baru Sahib, Bilga 93 Baru Sahi,            Reeth Kheri
Accounts 95 Baru Sahib 94 Baru Sahib 91 Bilga
P. Ed. 99 Bilga, Bhadaur,   F. Chhanna 98 Bhadaur, F. Chhanna 97 Bilga, Muktsar, Reethkheri, Bhadaur
Music 98 Baru Sahib 97 Baru Sahib 96 Baru Sahib

Students of Akal Academy – Baru Sahib stand with their heads high with 100% results!

We are more than happy to announce the results of Class XII where the students have achieved an outstanding performance in Academics with 100% results! Check out the News Coverage Here –   

We are more than happy to announce the results of Class XII where the students have achieved an outstanding performance in Academics with 100% results! Check out the News Coverage Here – 

 

35 Sikhs opted for ‘Khande Baate Da Amrit’ on the pious day of ‘Maseya’

at Gurdwara Cheema Sahib!

Cheema Mandi, 28th May 2014: On the pious day of ‘Maseya’, an Amrit Sanchaar ceremony was organized at the Gurdwara Sahib located at the birth place of Sant Attar Singh Ji Maharaj – Cheema Sahib. During the Amrit Sanchaar 35 Sikhs took up Guru’s ‘Khande Baate Da Amrit’ through Five Pyaras of the Gurdwara Sahib in the Divine presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Before this, dedicated to the occasion of Maseya, Bhog of Sri Akhand Paath Sahib was observed and Kirtan was also performed by the Raagi Jatha. On the occasion of Maseya, the devotees came in large numbers; they took the Holy Dip in the sacred Sarovar and marked their presence at the Gurdwara Sahib.

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

Calling out Registrations for Akal Gurmat International Youth Camp – 2014!

Looking as to how to make the most out of your kid’s Summer holidays? Look no further! Get your child get Sikh experience with Akal Gurmat International Youth Camp – 2014! Program and General Information DATES – 25th JULY until 17TH AUGUST 2014 At – Akal Academy, Baru Sahib, HP, India, Baru Sahib, Via Rajgarh, Teh. […]

Looking as to how to make the most out of your kid’s Summer holidays? Look no further! Get your child get Sikh experience with Akal Gurmat International Youth Camp – 2014!

Program and General Information

DATES – 25th JULY until 17TH AUGUST 2014
At – Akal Academy, Baru Sahib, HP, India, Baru Sahib, Via Rajgarh,
Teh. Pachhad, Distt. Sirmore,
Himachal Pradesh – 173101, INDIA
Tel: 1799-276031/91, 9816033303, 9816033304
Fax: 1799-276041
E-Mail: info@barusahib.org
Contact Person: Jatinder Singh
Mobile: 9816441198

Location

The camp will be held at Akal Academy, Baru Sahib, located in the lap of the majestic sylvan Himalayan Hills, ensconced in the valley surrounded by beautiful mountains from all sides, 135 km from Chandigarh, near Solan in Himachal Pradesh, India.

Education Exchange Donation (voluntary)

While you gain your education, please support Baru Sahib to sponsor an underprivileged child in exchange.
For example A donation of £315 provides a year’s student fees for one child. (the actual cost of camp is £175)Most of the young children in rural North India have to stay at home due to poverty and lack of educational opportunities around their villages. They indulge in household work or child labour. Your sponsorship could change that. Sponsor the value based education of a rural child in North India. Your sponsorship will make a difference to theirlife and the panth, enabling them to develop into a responsible, honest and hardworking citizens helping in the creation of man ideal society.

Program and Activities

You will learn Gurmukhi, NaamSimran, Nitnem, GurbaniSanthya (correct pronunciation of Gurbani), Kirtan, Gurmat, Sikh philosophy, Sikh history and practical way of Sikh living. Classes for learning musical instruments will also be provided. To sharpen the mind and body, Yoga exercises, Gatka (Sikh martial arts), Sports, hiking in the hills, picnics and many other fun activities will take place. Interested campers can also avail the opportunity for Amrit Sanchar at the camp.

Music Instrument Classes

You can choose to learn to play any of the following music instruments: Harmonium, Tabla, Sitar, Violin, Rabab, Saranda, Taus, Sarangi etc.

Camp Facilities

The camp will be housed in a new building with modern, sanitary facilities for boarding, lodging and classrooms. Students will be provided with distilled water for drinking. Separate facility will be available for parents.

  • Meals
    Delicious and highly nutritious vegetarian meals will be provided. Pizzas, veggie burgers, French fries, milk shakes and other western dishes will also be served.
  • Medical
    Baru Sahib has a fully equipped 280-bed Akal Charitable Hospital with competent medical staff of 50.
  • Communication
    Students may receive mail; phone communication may take place on the designated days; and e-mail messages may be received, which will be printed and given to the student. Authorized visits are allowed.
  • Transportation
    Air-conditioned Buses will leave AMRITSAR for Baru Sahib ON 28TH. Students will also be provided with transportation on trip to historic Gurdwaras and back to AMRITSAR. Arrangements will be made to pick up unaccompanied minors from the airport.

 

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • DEPART UK BETWEEN 25TH AND 27TH JULY 2014
  • Arrive BETWEEN AMRITSAR 26TH JULY 28TH JULY- Baru sahib sewadars will be at airport to receive all campers
  • OVERNIGHT STAY AT DARBAR SAHIB AMRITSAR (Historic Gurdwara visit and stay)
  • MID CAMP PROPOSED VISIT TO POANTA SAHIB DATES TBC
  • DEPART for camp 29th July 2014 AMRITSAR 11.00 AM AND ARRIVE BARU SAHIB 29TH JULY EVENING
  • Registration of the campers at Baru Sahib July 30th 2014
  • Inauguration of the camp July 31ST2014
  • Closing ceremony and of the camp Aug17th, 2014
  • Return flights 19thAUGUST – Baru sahib will arrange transport for all passengers back to Amritsar for flights.
  • Suggestions for Airline Travel: Try to adjust your flight to AMRITSAR to ARRIVE BETWEEN 26TH AND 28TH LATEST 2014

 

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Things to Pack

  1. Several Pagris/Patkas/Chunnis (minimum 2 each)
  2. Kurta and Pajamas/ Salwar Kameezs for day trips (minimum 2 each)
  3. A pair of pants/jeans (no shorts or crop pants) and t-shirt for the picnic.
  4. 2-3 night suits
  5. Light jacket
  6. Sneakers/ Trainers
  7. Bath /shower rubber soled shoes (flip flops)
  8. Easy to slip on and off, sturdy, comfortable day shoes / sandals.
  9. Toiletries / personal hygiene items (soap, shampoo, toothpaste etc).
  10. Insect repellent
  11. Prescribed medication , inc details of medication
  12. Labelled Laundry bag
  13. Four day supply of undergarments, socks, cloth hankies etc.
  14. 2 Bath towels and 2 hand towels
  15. 1 refillable water bottle
  16. 1 backpack with a pocket for a water bottle

 

VERY IMPORTANT-PLEASE EMAIL YOUR TRAVEL PLANS TO ENSURE WE CAN ARRANGE TRANSPORT ETC

Registration Coordinators:

USA and other countries:
Bhupinder Singh, 860-233-6458, bsingh1699@gmail.com
UK and Europe:
Sukhdev Singh Rai, 07774 160006, sukhdev@cleversocks.co.uk
R.S. Atwal, 07711382621
Canada:
Avtar Singh Gill, 604-780-7200, info@akalacademy.ca
Japan:
Sarabjit Singh, 81669412179, abnash_bhatia@yahoo.com
Mandeep Singh, 81782416344, mschadha@recosoft.com

Registration Forms may be mailed to:

USA and other countries:
192 Mohawk Drive West Hartford, CT 06117
UK and Europe:
barusahib@hotmail.co.uk
OR
Baru Sahib UK camp (SS Rai, c/o Cleversocks Ltd., 101 Charles Henry Street,
Highgate, Birmingham, B12 0SJ
Canada:
Akal Academy Surrey, #204-12639-80 ave, Surrey BC Canada, Fax: 1800-518-0740
Japan:
Osaka-Shi, Chuo-ku, 1-1-8 nonibashiTanimachi green heights 802 5400011

NOTE:

  1. All personal items and articles of clothing must be labelled with the attendee’s name using a permanent marker.
  2. Avoid bringing clothing where the colours run during washing. Laundry will be done at least twice a week.
  3. Bring clothes that are appropriate to wear at this location.
  4. Campers will be responsible for their own belongings and are discouraged from bringing jewellery etc.
  5. Campers will be provided with camp uniforms.

IB ‘In-School Workshop’ at Akal Academy, Baru Sahib!

An IB Authorized In-School workshop was held at Akal Academy, Baru Sahib early this month, where 19 newly inducted staff members participated in the two – day ‘Making PYP Happen’ workshop. Mary Vedra – Quality Education Auditor, Emirates National Schools Abu Dhabi, UAE headed the workshop.

The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP) is an educational program managed by the International Baccalaureate (IB) for students aged 3 to 12. While the program prepares students for the IB Middle Years Program, it is not a prerequisite for it. The subject areas of the PYP are language, social studies, mathematics, science and technology, arts, and personal, social and physical education. Students are required to learn a second language during the program. Assessment is carried out by teachers according to strategies provided by the IB, and with respect to guidelines to what the students should learn specified in the curriculum model.

It was the 5th IB in-School workshop at Akal Academy in the last 3 years and the 3rd Category 1 workshop!

~ Deeksha Singh
~ New Delhi, 26th May ’14