Making the most out of the day today, the students of Akal Academy – Baru Sahib celebrated the 27th Annual Day with much fervor and enthusiasm. The Valley of Divine Peace was brisling with cheerful noises; the air was full of music and color echoed by the appreciating voices of the students and the participants performing their acts. An Internationally Acclaimed co-educational fully residential CBSE affiliated school, Akal Academy – Baru Sahib today celebrated it’s 27th Annual

Day celebrations on Sunday, 2 November 2014 in the picturesque lush green valley and deep woods in the foothills of Himalayas in District Sirmore.

The ceremony was marked by the presence of parents of young siblings studying in this residential school, a galaxy of distinguished guests from all walks of life descended in to this remote hamlet to be a part of the annual celebrations. Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra (Minister of Higher Education, Govt of Punjab) was the chief guest of the occasion. Mr Greg Floyd, Consul US Embassy to India was the guest of Honour. Mr Gangu Ram Musafir, President Planning Commission, H.P. also made his guest appearance on the occasion.
The event commenced with arrival of guests after which Inspection of Parade and Ceremonial Band Performance by the Students took place. The Salute too happened where the Chief Guest took the Salute from the colorful and most sorted march past by the students. The march past then gave way to the Devotional Shabad and Kirtan performance by the little wonders of Akal Academy followed by Orchestra by students of Primary Years Program who mesmerized the audiences and the guest of honor together.

Dr. Neelam Kaur, Principal – Akal Academy Baru Sahib, in her speech to enlighten the audiences about the achievements presented the school’s annual report elaborating the milestones achieved by the students across Akal Academies transforming rural India. She started by welcoming the guests and sent across her best wishes on the pious occasion. In the speech she pointed out how well the class X and XII results had been from the students who scored a 100 on 100 in boards and brought a great honor to the academy. She also empathized on the need sportsmanship in the students and how the sports are important in an overall growth of the students. ‘I am more than proud to announce that we are an International Baccalaureate affiliate and the only school beyond NCR region in North to qualify for this name tag for Primary Years Programme. In addition to the PYP curriculum for primary years, we have also got accredited to the University of Cambridge. The approval was accorded in April, 2014 empowering us to offer international curriculum to students in the middle, secondary and senior secondary levels (VI-XII).” She added.

She then pointed out on the need to Save Earth and how Save Earth Programs are being run across Akal Academies. She proudly presented as to how The Kalgidhar Trust is the number one NGO in the country in harnessing Solar Energy. A 200 kilowatt photovoltaic plant at Baru Sahib, which is the only one of its kind in Himachal Pradesh & Solar Thermic Fluid Community Cooking System for cooking food for 5500 persons daily is one step taken by the trust to save environment. She also talked about the Social Program to deal with the overwhelming problem of drug addiction in Punjab, under which Akal De-addiction cum Rehabilitation center was opened in a rural area at Cheema Sahib (Distt Sangrur) in 2004. This rural center attracts patients from different stats as Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, U.P., Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Chandigarh and also from abroad. The unique feature of this De-Addiction cum rehabilitation centre is incorporation of traditional treatment with spirituality.

She ended her speech with seeking each one’s cooperation to join this movement and blessings of revered Sadh Sangat Ji to share the strength and wisdom to accomplish the unfinished tasks. Also, asked the audiences to bless the children of God so that they could feel the pain of the suffering millions and provide the much needed succor and healing touch to the needy, and thereby realize the Trust’s dream and Sant Attar Singh Ji’s vision and mission of establishing permanent peace in the world!

The function started with performance of Shabad by classical instruments. Further the students of Primary Year Programme of IB Authorised School presented Orchestra. Further the IB World school students presented- Global Village, Peep into ethnic diversity of the blue planet from Local to Global.

The students also presented –Mission Mars presenting the marvelous feat achieved by Indian Scientists in successful launching of Mars Probe last year.

Also tribute was made through skit in Go and Light the candle – A Tribute to Indian Soldiers and Relief workers engaged in disaster management.

The previous year’s scholar in various fields was presented with mementos and trophies by the Hon’ble chief guest.

Honble chief guest Mr Surjit Singh Rakhra appreciated the mission undertaken by the Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib and assured all possible help in making the mission of the Trust successful.

As a finale, a beautifully composed skit focused on the Glimpses of our Heritage by Grade X Boys portrayed the life of Bhagat Dhanna Ji. The audience was moved by the heart-rending and spiritually touching glimpses on the life of Bhagat Dhanna as has been depicted in Guru Granth Sahib.

The annual day celebrations concluded with the prize distribution and followed by the holy address by Hon’ble Baba Iqbal Singh, President of the Kalgidhar Trust and the divine spirit behind Rural Education Revolution. Babaji, as he is lovingly called by all, blessed the audience with pearls of divine wisdom. He emphsised the need of faith on the Divine and to lead a true and spiritual life while performing all the worldly duties. He also thanked all present guests and parents, children and volunteers for making this event a successful one and also delved on the various projects being undertaken by the Trust which he believed “someday, shall ultimately lead the world to permanent peace”.

~ Jatinder Singh

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