Akal academy Kajri received the blessings of Gyani Gurbachan Singh ji (honorable head of Akal Takht Sri Harmandar Sahib) and Gyani Iqbal Singh ji (Patna Sahib) on their auspicious arrival on 28 Feb., 2017 in the school premises. Mrs. Simran Kaur Thind (the principal), the staff and children welcomed these spiritual gyanis reverently and gracefully with Shabad recitation. Gyani Gurbachan Singh ji blessed the children for their upcoming examination and their future and he wished to god for the welfare of the institution. Sardar Jagjit Singh ji (Kaka Veer ji, sewadar of Kalgidhar Trust Baru Sahib H. P.) showed respect to all the Jattha members by giving them Saropas.

In recent years, modern technology has dramatically changed the way we communicate through writing. However, despite the increased use of computers for writing, the skill of handwriting remains important in education, employment and in everyday life. Gureak Singh, a sixth grader of Akal Academy Gomti is the star child among his mates and teachers. Despite his being differently abled in hearing and spoken, the child shows remarkable beauty, accuracy and control of his hands on the pages of his note books in English, Punjabi, and Hindi. Not only this the child is wonderful in drawing and and arts. This special talent of the child was though unknown to many except his language teachers yet on a routine check of the class by the Principal, Mr. A.S. Guleria, this stunning skill and talent came to the light. Sewadar S Balbir Singh Ji awarded the child and praised his language teachers Mrs. Preeti Bhatia, Mr. Bhupinder Singh, Mr. Tulsi, Mr. Harpreet Singh. The child’s father S. Manjinder Singh and Mother Sardarni Rajwinder Kaur told that the child is obedient, introvert and likes meditate and play with pets at home. For Gureak Singh there is nothing more beautiful than the sight of a page full of beautiful cursive!

To enhance the knowledge of environment and science, a competition was conducted in Akal Academy Bilga. It was conducted by TARAMANDALA. It was 11th International level science talent search exam 2016. It was based on knowledge of general science and environment. 77 students from KG to 4th class participated in it. It was organized under the supervision of Ms. Arti Mahajan,Ms. Harjeet Kaur , Ms. Inderjit Kaur and Ms. Harwinder Kaur. Exam was conducted in the month of September 2016. It is matter of proud that 4 students got STATE level award and 4 students got NATIONAL level award. All the winners were awarded with Gold Medal, certificates and set of three general knowledge books. Guide teachers Ms. Arti Mahajan was selected as ‘Best Science Teacher’ and awarded with Gold Medal, a set of books and a certificate. Ms. Harjeet Kaur and Harwinder Kaur was selected as ‘Best Science Co-Guide Teacher’ and awarded with attractive bag, certificate and set of 3 General knowledge books. Ms. Inderjit kaur awarded as ‘Best Science Organiser’ in National level. She was awarded with the Certificate and set of 3 General knowledge books. Principal Ms. Harpreet Kaur Sahni was awarded with Appreciation certificate , attractive poster and 3 General knowledge. School was placed as Best in NATIONAL level. Principal Ms. Harpreet Kaur Sahni congratulated the winners and distributed the prizes. She also appreciated the efforts made by students and teachers.

Sant Baba Gurjit Singh ji Harigarh wale baptised these kids and bestowed them with the Khalsa Identity. In such Kalyug times where the youth are trapped in the Drug Menace, these kids are setting exemplary for the upcoming generation on how to preserve the seeds of Sikhi.

It is a rare opportunity that we were fortunate to meet a Divine Soul Baba Iqbal Singh in the urban jungle of West London (Southall). This meeting was arranged by my architect friend Ranjit Singh of Delhi. Baba Ji, who at the age of 92 was in England spreading his message of peace and harmony among human beings and to receive the prestigious Sikh Life - Time Achievement Award 2016. Babaji’s visit to England provided us the privilege to acquaint ourselves with his objectives more thoroughly and spread his message to Indian community in Britain. Baba Iqbal Singh began his movement of educational and social reforms after re- tiring as Director of Agricultural Department in the State of Himachal Pradesh in 1986. He was inspired by his Master Baba Teja Singh. As a socio-spiritual entre- preneur and leader of Sikhs, Babaji is renowned for his reforming zeal in the field of education. He has already established 130 schools, 14 colleges and 2 universities, all in a span of 30 years. They are spread across Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The main objective of these educational institutes has been to provide Value-Based Education and equip children with spiritual as well as latest high quality technical and scientific knowledge without any gender or caste discrimination. Babaji was inspired firstly by Guru Nank’s mission and secondly by the famous writing of Wordsworth that a child is the father of man. That is to say that if any one wants to transform a society start with children. In fact it is interesting to note that a small hut with five students in 1986 has grown to 65,000 stu- dents per year across Northern India. One of the most developed premises is Akal Academy, Baru Sahib. (photo below) It is also known as the valley of divine and meditation place and is located 110 and 170 km from Shimla and Dehradun respectively. In addition to his work in spreading educational opportunities to the poor and reforming the society Babaji’s Akal Academia has been instrumental in: Women empowerment: A vast long-term women empowerment programs in the community is zestfully being run, wherein young girls are first educated to 12th standard and later to an intensive Teachers Train- ing Program of 4 years enabling them to be employed as Teachers in schools. Drugs: Babaji believes and works hard to ensure that young and old abstain from drugs and alcohol with a hope of closing down liquor shops and decline in crime rate. Children free from drugs, would naturally make them a good global citizens. Education in rural areas for the benefit of the rural population implying technical know-how of land fertility, seeds and climate. The curriculum, in short, emphasises not only spiritual values but a change in social, ethical and scientific thinking among the student community. A true Karmayogi saint who inspires by his very presence. Ranjit Singh is Delhi based Architect who has been involved in designing Baru Sahib - Valley of the Divine Peace. He also has been associated with many other projects and schemes imcluding proposed Akal University in Talwandi Sabho at Bathinda, Punjab. Babaji is a great believer of international harmony and peace and still striding hard to achieve these goals at the age of nighty two. Ravinder Pal Singh Kohli used to be a businessman. He left his business and now devotes his time and energies with Babaji to promote the worthy aims and objectives of the Kalgidhar Trust / Society. He with his large team is based in Delhi.

India in the recent years has become a key player in the global education industry with 1.4 million schools having more than 227 million enrolled students and more than 36000 institutions imparting higher education. By 2020, India’s average age will be just 29 years, in comparison with 37 in China and the United States, 45 in Western Europe and 48 in Japan. This demographic trend will confer a significant competitive advantage upon India. To meet the future challenges of this potentially productive population a host of reforms and improved financial outlays is required to transform the country into a knowledge haven. With human resource increasingly gaining significance in the overall development of the country, development of education infrastructure is expected to remain the key focus in the current decade. In this scenario, infrastructure investment in the education sector is likely to see a considerable increase in the current decade. Still the country after Demonetization is in a calculative whirl and is responding to the economic, socio- political outcomes but in Education and human resource development this will surely help to uplift the Education sector with expectedly larger budgetary provisions, open investment and infrastructure. Moreover, there is larger scope of spurt in digital advancement in the sector in administration and education management system. In private education system demonetization will help to curb corruption that enters the sector via donations and capitations. It is expected that demonetization of currency will curb the menace of use of black money .It will bring equity among public and private sector. Author: Ashok Singh Guleria Educator, Akal Group of Schools Kajri,Gomti (U.P.) Kalgidhar Trust,Baru Sahib.