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Ever thought how you are related to Tees Hazaari, Delhi? – The place where Baba Baghel Singh camped with his 30,000 forces before attacking Delhi!

Please share this with your children!!! Baba Baghel Singh (1730 – 1802) – The Conquer of Delhi, was born in village Jhabal, District Amritsar. From humble beginnings he arose to become a formidable force in the area between River Sutlej and River Yamuna. He aligned himself with Karor Singhia led by Sardar Karora Singh. After […]

Please share this with your children!!!

Baba Baghel Singh (1730 – 1802) – The Conquer of Delhi, was born in village Jhabal, District Amritsar. From humble beginnings he arose to become a formidable force in the area between River Sutlej and River Yamuna. He aligned himself with Karor Singhia led by Sardar Karora Singh. After the early demise of Karora Singh, Baba Baghel Singh succeeded as a leader of Karora Singhia misl in 1765. As well as being a good soldier, Baba Baghel Singh was a very good political negotiator and was able to win over many an adversary to his side. The Mughals, the Ruhilas, the Marathas and British sought his friendship.

 Then Baba Baghel Singh turned his attention towards the cis-Yamuna territories. Soon the Sikhs were invading territories in Delhi and beyond, including Meerut, Awadh, collecting tribute from the Nawabs of each area. He is celebrated in Sikh history as the vanquisher of Mughal Delhi. On the 11th of March 1783, the Sikhs entered the Red Fort in Delhi and occupied the Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience).

 It is also commonly believed that Baba Baghel Singh with his army had camped in the jungles surrounding Delhi from which they were planning to secretly launch their attack. The place where the camp was established later came to be known as “Tees Hazaari”. This is where the present day Delhi Court is located.

Dhan Sikhi! Dhan Khalsa!

~ Deeksha Singh
~ New Delhi, 15th Feb ’14

Ever thought how you are related to MORI GATE, New Delhi? – The History Behind!

Please share this with your children!!! Another story goes with Tees Hazari – When the Mughal Emperor came to know that Sikhs were planning to attack Delhi, as sufficient quantity of food and other essential commodities were stocked in the fort; he ordered that all gates of the fort be closed so that the Sikhs […]

Please share this with your children!!!

Another story goes with Tees Hazari – When the Mughal Emperor came to know that Sikhs were planning to attack Delhi, as sufficient quantity of food and other essential commodities were stocked in the fort; he ordered that all gates of the fort be closed so that the Sikhs camping in the jungles would soon run out of rations and go back.

Some of the Sikhs accidentally came across a mason from the neighbourly village who informed them that a particular place in the wall of the fort had caved in from inside though the exterior was intact. He also agreed to lead the Sikhs and show them this spot.

The Sikhs planned to ram the wall with logs to make a hole in the wall to enter the fort through. This place is now called “Mori Gate” and this is where the Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) in present Delhi is located.

Dhan Sikhi! Dhan Khalsa!

~ Deeksha Singh
~ New Delhi, 15th Feb ’14

Ever thought how you are related to PUL MITHAI a.k.a. Pili Kothi? – The History Behind!

Please share this with your children!!! Baba Baghel Singh had set up an octroi-post near Sabzi Mandi to collect the tax on the goods imported into the city to finance the search and the construction of the Sikh Temples. He did not want to use the cash received from the Government Treasury for this purpose, […]

Please share this with your children!!!

Baba Baghel Singh had set up an octroi-post near Sabzi Mandi to collect the tax on the goods imported into the city to finance the search and the construction of the Sikh Temples. He did not want to use the cash received from the Government Treasury for this purpose, and most of that was handed out to the needy and poor. He often distributed sweetmeats, bought out of this Government gift, to the congregationalists at the place which, now, is know as the Pul Mithai, New Delhi.

Near the Old Delhi railway station is a congested location with a quirky name. ‘Pul Mithai’ — a bridge with a sweet connection that goes back to the late 18th century. Pul Mithai is the stretch on Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Marg from Pili Kothi to the junction where it meets Qutb Road and Azad Market road with two railway lines passing below it.

It was in 1783 that thousands of Sikhs led by Sardar Baghel Singh laid siege to the Red Fort during Shah Alam II’s reign. The Mughal emperor, through his court official Munshi Ram Dyal and Begum Samroo, sought a “settlement.’ In lieu of ‘returning’ the Red Fort, Baghel Singh would trace all the sites in Delhi connected with Sikh Gurus and build gurdwaras there. He would stay for four years and get a cut from tax collected by Mughals for expenditure of his soldiers.

Dhan Sikhi! Dhan Khalsa!

~ Deeksha Singh
~ New Delhi, 15th Feb ’14

Yahoo India appoints Gurmit Singh as its Managing Director!

Yahoo on Wednesday, 12th February, announced the appointment of Gurmit Singh as Managing Director for Yahoo India.  As MD, Gurmit will oversee Yahoo’s business in India, responsible for its growth in the country, a company release said, adding that he will report to Yvonne Chang, VP & Head of India and South East Asia, Yahoo. […]

Yahoo on Wednesday, 12th February, announced the appointment of Gurmit Singh as Managing Director for Yahoo India.  As MD, Gurmit will oversee Yahoo’s business in India, responsible for its growth in the country, a company release said, adding that he will report to Yvonne Chang, VP & Head of India and South East Asia, Yahoo.

“With over 20 years of experience, Gurmit brings with him a deep understanding of the Media & Entertainment industry in India. Most recently, Gurmit was the CEO of Forbes India at Network 18.”

Commenting on the appointment, Yvonne Chang, VP & Head of India and South East Asia, Yahoo said, “Gurmit comes to Yahoo with a strong track record of delivering growth. His understanding of users and advertisers will be a great asset for Yahoo as we bring a number of product innovations to India. Yahoo is a loved brand in India, and we are very happy to have a leader of Gurmit’s caliber leading the team.”

Commenting on his appointment, Gurmit Singh said: “An Internet industry pioneer, Yahoo is now at a very exciting point in its journey. It truly reflects the energy and spirit of the world’s largest startup. Working together with an extraordinary team in India and colleagues across the world, I am looking forward to unlocking the full potential of Yahoo products and services in India.”

Gurmit has worked with Sony Music, Hindustan Times, India Today Group, Rajshri Media, Marico Industries and most recently Network 18. He received his Masters in Business Administration from the Faculty of Management Studies (FMS) at the University of Delhi. He is also a University Gold Medalist in Mechanical (Production) Engineering from Osmania University, Hyderabad.

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

Astounding 16 Medals won by Akal Academy Sangha in Olympiad Tests

Young 3rd & 4th 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 […]

Young 3rd & 4th 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

Roop Singh WINS Quarter Million Pounds at Game Show – Deal or No Deal!! Brings SIKHS to the limelight!!

Roop Singh has been telling stories to young students of Indian and British schools. His stories are fun to hear at the same time carry subtle messages on human values and ethics. He also engages his audience to learn more about Indian culture and the Sikh appearance.

Roop Singh WINS Quarter Million Pounds at Game Show - Deal or No Deal!! Brings SIKHS to the limelight!!

He has been successful in breaking the bias in western kids about Indians in general and Sikhs in particular. His initiatives have helped creating friendly bonds between students of Indian origin and western kids.

Vismaad has converted Roop Singh’s stories into cartoon animations to benefit Indian diaspora in every corner of the world.

~ Deeksha Singh, IP University
~ New Delhi, 13th Feb ’14

From a speck in the rural fields to being a Star in the galaxy of Satellite Television

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. […]

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.

The Sikhs Who Built New Delhi, Modern India’s Capital

It would not be an exaggeration to say that most of New Delhi, the Capital of India, was built by a coterie of Sikhs contractors of whom five did the lion’s share of building. In Sikh circles, they were known as ‘punj pyarey’ – the ‘five beloved’, borrowing the term from the first five Khalsa of […]

It would not be an exaggeration to say that most of New Delhi, the Capital of India, was built by a coterie of Sikhs contractors of whom five did the lion’s share of building. In Sikh circles, they were known as ‘punj pyarey’ – the ‘five beloved’, borrowing the term from the first five Khalsa of the Tenth Sikh Master, Guru Gobind Singh.

The top five builders were Sobha Singh, Basakha Singh, Ranjit Singh, Mohan Singh and Dharam Singh Sethi.

The British gave them due credit by inscribing their names on stone slabs. You can see them in the alcoves of South and North Blocks. The South Block has five names starting with my father, Sobha Singh, the North Block has a list of architects and engineers including my father-in-law, Teja Singh Malik, who was the first Indian head of the Central Public Works Department.

The British did more.

Before quitting India, they conferred knighthoods on Teja Singh Malik and Sobha Singh. You can’t be blamed for not being aware of this because free India’s rulers did nothing to perpetuate their memory. Not a single road, bylane or round-about was named after any of them. Whether the new rulers were from the Congress party or the BJP, they were more concerned with giving credit to their party members than recording the truth. At times it appeared like anti-Sikh communal prejudice. Perish the thought.

Mani Shankar Aiyar had the Parliament sanction to change Connaught Circus into Indira and Rajiv Gandhi names. The metro stations are named according to his wishes, but the average Dilliwala prefers calling Connaught Circus as Connaught Circus. He also named a prominent road after the eminent Tamilian poet Subramaniam Bharati Marg. Why not? We have Amrita Shergill Marg.

Neither had anything to do with New Delhi.

Why no road after Amrita Pritam who lived and died here?

by KHUSHWANT SINGH

[Courtesy: Hindustan Times.]

Intellectuals Speak – Principals’ Conference by Atam Pragas Social Welfare Council

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 […]

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