With a firm belief in the saying -“A child that reads is a successful child”; imparting education and encouraging reading habits in young children is the need of the hour.

In the wake of imparting quality education and inculcating reading habits among the students, Akal Academy has understood the importance of Reading Corners. Making reading a pleasurable experience for the kids, developing healthy psychology and interest amongst the kids, is the priority.

Children who read every day at age of three, have a vocabulary at age five which is nearly two months more advanced than those who are not. A child taken to the library on a monthly basis from age three to five is two and a half months ahead of an equivalent child at age five who did not visit the library so regularly. Thus, the Reading Corner concept!

Witness how kids at Akal Academy, love to read at the Reading Corner. The concept is being followed across all 129 Akal Academies being run by The Kalgidhar Trust. We have put in a step forward to inspire kids to read in their free time and making them realize the importance of reading to be a learned person in the future.

Constant efforts are being put in to maintain & regularly update Reading Corners to not only provide the required inspiration but also to keep the children motivated through their vivid ambience with reading material that entices them to spend time reading.

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In a measure to combat problem related to shortage & cleanliness of drinking water, which has become a major national concern countrywide, Akal Academies have started installing heavy-duty Swiss made Ultra-filtration water treatment plants in their rural schools.

The project implementation of these state-of-the-art purification systems is sponsored & supported by Punjab & Sind Bank, taken up as a measure under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). After PFC and SJVN, PSB has been quite sympathetic to the needs of rural India in their CSR spends by holding hands for The Kalgidhar Trust in their noble mission of ‘Rural Transformation’.

The current project is aimed at covering 4 Akal Academies viz. Chunni Kalan, Reethkheri, Balbehra and Baru Sahib.The first phase of the project saw its successful completion on 8th Sept when the first state-of-art Swiss Plant was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner, Mohali, Mr. T.P.S. Sidhu at Akal Academy, Chunni Kalan.

“Problem of pollution is affecting every aspect of our life & environment, because of which several deadly diseases are spreading. Water is most critical need of every being & since polluted water is contaminating clean drinking water, the water-borne diseases have grown deadly,” stated DC Mr.Sidhu, “I also appreciate Akal Academies’ system of providing higher-education blended with spirituality to the students.”

In our country, every year, an estimated 3.77 crore people fall prey to water-borne diseases, in which the count of children remains very high, stated Mr. Iqbal Singh Bhatia, GM Punjab & Sind Bank, who presided over the inauguration event.

~ Ramandeep Singh
~ New Delhi, 10th Sep ’13

In the light of teachings of being spiritual and of eternal values, Akal Academies yet again played a pivotal role in making students feel ecstatic and help work for a noble cause. In an event organized by Department of Forestry Punjab, Akal Academy, Bhariyal Lehri, motivated its students to participate in the Punjab Greening Mission to do their bit in saving environment and to promote greenery.

Pathankot DC Mr. Sibin C. and DFO Mr. Mahavir Singh alongwith school principals, teachers and students participated in the event and planted over 300 trees imparting the knowledge as to how to preserve the nature and work for the betterment of the Nation as a whole. “It is really heartwarming to see these kids and the planted trees grow together, both providing much needed solace to the society”, said Principal Mrs. Jasbeer Kaur Sandhu on the occasion.

Positivity afloat across Akal Academy, thus afloat the air of change.

Many of us must have heard of the phrase ‘make your own history’, which advocates us to “go do something of our own” and that ‘something’ implies an effort or an accomplishment for which we will be remembered for ages. Ever since we learn that, we get on en route to discover that special “something”  in search for that special effort that would help stay in the pages of the history we will leave behind us. Years through, we keep trying to discover ourselves; going places, meeting endless people, shedding all we can to get there., But somewhere in our quest, we land up blindly following the footsteps of others, losing our own identity, without even ever realizing it.

The context above is in reference to someone, who is no different from all of us, in fact less privileged, or for that matter, even misfortunate by birth.. On my recent tour to baru sahib during my internship, i across a student, Amandeep Kaur. A sprightly young girl from village Bhamma Badi, Sangrur, which is a predominantly rural area in the southern part of Punjab.

Born to Gurmeet Singh, a petty-jobs worker who always struggled with strained resources to meet both ends, Amandeep grew up helping her mother tide over  expenses doing  household work for her family and for others in the neighborhood too. Torn between thoughts of reality & her desires, Amandeep’s her faith in God helped her keep moving in life  with a a hope for a better tomorrow.. She turned out into a full-of-energy youthful countenance and now beholds a fine personality. Her challenges seemed endless within the village environment to realize her silent dreams. But, as if guided by providence, she kept on honing her subtle-skills of sincerity, hard work, ability, knowledge to live through those dreams in real to set Her goals & self-determination did wonders & brought her a long distance.

I was stupefied and amazed when I interacted with her. This coy and soft-spoken girl literally swept me of my feet with her delicate and sober conduct. It felt peaceful serene to be around, she was swift, sensible & her talks carried substance & depth that is nowhere found in city-life, she was indeed “a Life” in herself.

Amandeep grabbed her lifetime opportunity when she learnt of the Free Teachers Training program being conducted by The Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib. It was with help of her friend and got her application filled and applied, after prolonged discussions for approval of her parents. She recalls , “I sold them my dreams and I was fortunate that my parents realized my aspirations wherein my happiness resided”. Amandeep today is in her 2^nd year (English enhancement) at Akal Institute of Rural Women Empowerment Baru Sahib; after having successfully completed her first year foundation course. She is gearing up simultaneously to appear for her 12^th Board exams. Many a heads turned when she scored an exceptional 86% in Maths during her Terminals. “It wasn’t as easy at is sounds” tells us Amandeep; she struggled with an eye ailment that took a year to subside

Aman possesses good pickup skills & her prime interests are in science and social studies. Besides academics, she takes keen interest at other creative activities at school including stage plays.Amongst colleages she is known as a  and she has left her mark as a reserved personality & a patient  listener who give an ear ofrespect to everyone’s  opinion., maintaining her calm and poise.

Amandeep surprised quite a few Teachers recently when she proudly wrote two books named “ Prince and the Princess ” & “Me and my Quilt”. Given her limited knowledge of English language or skills to communicate, her work was much liked & appreciated by her teachers,s he was the star of her batch for having produced these books.
Amandeep’s approach to life provides us a critical reminder,  that, in the race of life winner is the one who does not look back or upon other’s track but the one who keeps moving forward, watching his own pace, focusing the finishing line as his own exclusive. She believes she has to do a lot to improve herself, & her confidence and presentation capabilities affirm she will be a successful woman who works hard towards turning her dreams into reality. Her trainers believe that once she completes her course and is employed as a Teacher, her job will not only help herself but also her family in stepping to a better world.
Commendable is the spirit of unknown sponsorers like Amandeep’s education, who discreetly serve the nation & humanity in true sense. . Maybe it is people like her who are blessed souls that share their riches and generosity to bring smiles on scores of deprived girls like Amandeep.

~ Ramandeep Singh, Student
~ New Delhi, 21st Aug 2013