Former PM Manmohan Singh Launches Baba Iqbal Singh Ji’s Book
Manmohan Singh Launches Baba Iqbal Singh Ji’s Book on Value-Based Education
Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh officially launched “Mission to Reboot Punjab Through Value-Based Education”, authored by Baba Iqbal Singh Ji, on 8 April 2017 in New Delhi. The event marked a significant milestone for The Kalgidhar Trust, bringing national attention to its mission of transforming rural India through value-based education.
The book launch attracted distinguished guests from the fields of education, industry and public service, including Sunil Kant Munjal, Chairman of Hero Corporate Service. The presence of Dr. Manmohan Singh, one of India’s most respected economists and former Prime Minister, highlighted the growing recognition of Baba Iqbal Singh Ji’s educational vision and its impact on rural development.
More than the release of a book, the occasion celebrated a movement that has empowered thousands of children through quality education, moral values and community service. It also reinforced the importance of education as the foundation for rebuilding society.
A Vision to Reboot Punjab Through Education
Mission to Reboot Punjab Through Value-Based Education presents Baba Iqbal Singh Ji’s lifelong belief that lasting social transformation begins in the classroom. The book explains how value-based education can address many of the challenges affecting Punjab, including youth unemployment, drug abuse, school dropouts and migration.
Rather than focusing solely on academic achievement, Baba Iqbal Singh Ji advocates an educational model that develops knowledge, character, leadership and spiritual values together. His philosophy is based on preparing students to become responsible citizens who contribute positively to society.
The book also documents decades of grassroots work undertaken through The Kalgidhar Trust, demonstrating how educational institutions can become centres of social transformation in rural communities.
National Recognition for The Kalgidhar Trust
The participation of Dr. Manmohan Singh gave the event national significance. Throughout his public life, Dr. Singh has consistently emphasised education as the foundation of economic development and social mobility. His presence at the launch reflected an appreciation of the work being carried out by Baba Iqbal Singh Ji and The Kalgidhar Trust.
The launch introduced policymakers, educators, researchers and social leaders to an educational model that had quietly transformed thousands of lives across rural North India. It also encouraged wider discussions on how value-based education can contribute to long-term social and economic progress.
The event demonstrated that successful educational models developed in rural India deserve national attention and can serve as examples for similar initiatives across the country.
From Five Students to a Nationwide Educational Movement
The philosophy presented in the book is rooted in Baba Iqbal Singh Ji’s own life’s work. After retiring as Director of Agriculture in Himachal Pradesh, he established the first Akal Academy at Baru Sahib in 1986 with just five students.
Over the following decades, this modest beginning evolved into one of India’s largest rural education movements. Today, The Kalgidhar Trust operates 130 CBSE-affiliated Akal Academies across five northern states, educating more than 75,000 students, many of whom come from farming families and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The organisation has also established Akal University at Talwandi Sabo and Eternal University at Baru Sahib, extending its commitment to quality higher education and research while remaining firmly rooted in the principles of value-based learning.
Education as a Tool for Social Change
The central message of Mission to Reboot Punjab Through Value-Based Education is that education should prepare students not only for careers but also for responsible citizenship. Baba Iqbal Singh Ji argues that academic excellence must be supported by ethical values, compassion, discipline and service to humanity.
This philosophy continues to guide every institution established by The Kalgidhar Trust. Students are encouraged to excel academically while also developing leadership qualities, environmental responsibility, cultural awareness and a commitment to serving society.
The New Delhi book launch helped bring this educational philosophy into the national spotlight, encouraging educators and policymakers to explore value-based education as a practical model for sustainable social development.
Related Resources
References
- Official Book Launch Ceremony – New Delhi (8 April 2017)
- Mission to Reboot Punjab Through Value-Based Education by Baba Iqbal Singh Ji
- The Kalgidhar Trust – Official Publications
- Akal Academies – Educational Initiatives and Rural Development Programmes
The launch of Mission to Reboot Punjab Through Value-Based Education by former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh marked a defining moment in the journey of The Kalgidhar Trust. It recognised Baba Iqbal Singh Ji’s decades-long commitment to transforming rural India through education rooted in academic excellence, ethical values and selfless service. Today, that vision continues to inspire more than 75,000 students studying across 130 Akal Academies, along with Akal University and Eternal University, carrying forward a mission that began with just five students at Baru Sahib.