A Mass Anand Karaj event was observed during the 12^th day of 148th birth Anniversary celebratory ‘Gurmat Samagam’ of Sant Baba Attar Singh Ji Mustuane Wale, at the Gurdwara of his birth place – Cheema Sahib.

The graced event observed ‘Anand-Karaj’ Ceremonies of 15 couples through the blessed hands of Sant Baba Iqbal Singh Ji of Baru Sahib himself in presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

We all have heard that faith moves mountains and here is a living example of that in Sapinder Singh, an ex-student of Akal Academy, Baru Sahib. Sapinder Singh, an embodiment of confidence, integrity and ethical values is a beacon-light for all of us proving beyond any doubt that faith is one’s sheet anchor in life.

His inspiring story – Sapinder Singh, a weightlifter was to compete in in 69-77 Kg category. He weighed 76.9 Kg in 69-77 Kg category. However, he insisted to keep on his Gatra & Kirpan, a symbol of the Sikh Faith, weighing 200 gms.
This brought his weight to 77.1 Kg, technically outside the limit of 69-77 Kg category.
He was advised the option of removing his Kirpan so as to fit into the lower category of 69-77 Kg, wherein the chances of his success were certain.

But Sapinder had other thoughts. His core ethical values made him believe beyond doubt that Kirpan was an essential and inseparable part of his body and that he genuinely weighed at 77.1 Kg alongwith his Kirpan, which was his body Ang .

Sapinder Singh’s choice certainly placed him in higher category of 77-84 Kg, where the competition was tough and seemingly insurmountable.

His faith remained firm and unshaken and he preferred to move to a higher category risking his chances of winning a medal. However, the providence had a pleasant surprise in store for him when Sapinder won the Gold medal and established a state record, which is yet to be broken.

Sapinder made a responsible choice by not removing his Kirpan, and preserving his identity as a baptized Sikh.

By doing so, Sapinder Singh set an example for millions of Sikh youth and proved in his unique manner that honoring one’s faith is a matter of fortitude, something uncommon and mortals, inspiring us all the way as we feel proud of him.

Dhan Sikhi! Dhan Khalsa!

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I recall the time that seems not so distant, the time when I first joined Akal Academy Baru Sahib; I was pathetically weak at academics and I remember scoring an embarrassing 36% in my class 6th examinations. As I burst into tears, I kept weeping for days in front of my mother, unaware of a upcoming, pleasantly surprising bouquet of almighty’s blessings in my life, that broke all my shackles to exalt me into a different realm, that changed my life altogether, ever since after that episode.

I passed out my 10th from Akal Academy Baru Sahib in 2001.and the five years I spent there, gave a turning point to my life, from a below average student I then transformed into a super charged person, a person charged to change at mind; and change all what may comes across; willing to learn more, do more…all the time!

All my achievements so far, both in the world outside & my inner-self, are the result of the Academic and Spiritual Education that I received at the Academy and blessings of Honourable Babaji and God Almighty.

Beyond Baru Sahib, life was quite challenging as I found the world very indifferent and insensitive. The protective cocoon provided by the Academy had vanished and I was in face to face with the outside world. As a result of my immense interest in literature, which I had cultivated at Baru Sahib’s Library and poetry competitions, I took admission in English (Hons) at the Delhi University,

When I was in second year when I penned a book named ‘Immortal Thoughts’ and started writing a novel called “Tragedy of an Orphan”. My book of “Immortal Thoughts” got published in Jan 2007 by Dreamland Publications and the novel is under consideration with one of the reputed publishers currently.

I remember when last year some of my classmates remarked that they idolize me….that whole night my mind took me to the journey I had covered so far. I could recollect all the support and guidance I was provided at Baru Sahib. That was when I remembered that how it transformed me and my overall performance, be it in debates, poetry or other similar competitions; even the performance in academics had gone remarkably high to 81.4% at the time I left Baru Sahib; after that, never again by Grace of God, I ever disappointed my parents or teachers with my performance. I am indebted to Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib for this.

Right now I am Pursuing MBA in International Business from ICFAI. Hope in future also I will continue to get support and Guidance from Akal Academy & Baru Sahib.

Gur-Fateh!

Regards,
Harmeet Kaur Sekhon (Sonia)

Ludhiana, 5^th March: Baba Deep Singh Welfare Society organized a Gurmat ‘Samagam’ at Gurdwara Kalgidhar Singh Sabha to celebrate the birth anniversary of Martyr Baba Deep Singh Ji & in the loving memory of Sant Attar Singh Ji Mastuane wale.

During the event, Baba Iqbal Singh Ji of Baru Sahib was honoured by the for his contribution towards social, religious & educational fronts by the Gurdwara Committee President Gurmeet Singh, Baba Ajit Singh, Satnam Singh Babbu Khalsa, Santokh Singh Khurana and Maninder Singh Ahuja.

Prior to the aforementioned ceremony, during the event, Giani Jaswant Singh Parwana of Akal Academy Baru Sahib, ‘Khalsa Akal Purakh Ki Fauj’ and Bhai Manpreet Singh Kanpuri sensitized the holy congregation through ‘Katha-Kirtan’.

Baba Iqbal Singh Ji motivated everyone to be a ‘Gurmukh’ by connecting oneself to Naam & Baani. During this occasion, Baba Kundan Singh Bhalai Trust’s leader Mata Vipanpreet Kaur was honored. Mr. Jatinder Singh Ghilotra, President of Gurdwara Singh Sabha Model Gram was honoured.

Other guests present during the event were Advocate H.S. Phoolka, Dr. Khem Singh Gill, Darshan Singh, Jarnail Singh, Bhupinderpal Singh, Gurminder Singh Batra,  Jasbir Shah Singh, Rajvinder Singh, Amanpreet Singh Aman, Harpreet Singh Tickoo, Bhupinderpal Singh Dhawan, Happy Kalra.

~ Ramandeep Singh
~ New Delhi, 6th March ’14

UCO Bank (A Govt. of India Undertaking) sanctioned two Ambulances to The Kalgidhar Society for the Akal Charitable Hospital under their CSR Initiative. The Presentation Ceremony was held at the hospital venue and presided over by Mr. B.Venkat Ramana, General Manager & Circle Head New Delhi. Mr. Rameshwar Sharma, Chief Manger, UCO Bank Circle office New Delhi, Mr. Thakur Bhagat Negi, Zonal Head, UCO Bank, Solan and Mr.Rakesh Verma Lead District Manager, at Lead Bank Office Nahan, District Sirmaur were also present in the function.

Dr. Davinder Singh, Secretary The Kalgidhar Society & Hospital Incharge welcomed the Guests and thanked UCO Bank for their support as the Hospital badly needed these Ambulances and the same shall help to serve the patient from remote areas and also would help to shift the serious patients to Chandigarh or Shimla in case of emergency.

Mr. B Venkat Ramana, G.M and Circle Head said “this is a small effort by us for this most backward area and UCO Bank shall make efforts for the growth of this area by opening an ATM or Branch office at Baru Sahib, H.P.”

Mr. Ramana presented the Bank Draft of CSR funding to Dr. Davinder Singh and handed over the keys of two Force Ambulances.

Dr. Davinder Singh later informed “the Kalgidhar Society runs a 280-bed Charitable Hospital in the backward district of Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh. More than 30,000 poor underprivileged patients annually are attended to with primary healthcare and emergency interventions. Four Free Medical camps are held in Sirmaur every year wherein free expensive surgeries are provided to poor beneficiaries by Doctors from India and abroad.”

In addition to the routine medical and surgical services, emergencies of all kinds are also attended. Akal Charitable Hospital is the only hospital in the region attending to the patients of snake-bite for which expensive antivenin is given.

The patients and their attendants travel to Akal Charitable Hospital from as far as 100 kms away, by bus, horse or on foot, undertaking quite long and arduous journey on difficult terrains to get rid of deadly diseases completely free of cost.

~ Deeksha Singh
~ New Delhi, 28th Feb 14