barublogThe Power of Spirituality Over Materialism
Spiritual force is greater than material force and this is what makes a person an extraordinary personality. Sant Attar Singh had a vision to impart each and every child a value-based education. He wanted to push the opportunities out to present time. He wanted a termination of social decay.
He planted a seed, which grew as a strong Banyan tree, which is generally the central point of our village communities. And under its shadow, thousands of students savor the fruit of success irrespective of caste, creed and religion. He wanted to bring those in mainstream, who were disappearing in the luminosity of the world.
He also faced lots of criticism, but he trekked on his path intrepidly. Sant Teja Singh Ji followed his footsteps and took his mission on to heights. That is why the Baru Sahib Akal Academy, which was established in 1986 with just 5 students, today has strength of 60,000 students studying in its 129 CBSE affiliated rural schools.
Baru Sahib has potential to heal the mind and soul and to transform young impressionable minds to God-oriented youth. Baru Sahib is a tree and Akal Academies its branches. Now 129 Akal Academies spread over India work for the welfare of humanity. This stream will flow to every nook and corner of the country in times to come, to fulfill the dreams of deprived families.
Education Beyond Competition
In this fast competitive world our education system inculcates pressure and fear in our children. If they do not get high scores in board examination then they will be left behind in this bandwagon. Akal Academy brings stability in them encouraging learners and helping them engage their minds in Naamsimran (Meditation) by chiseling them to become valued citizens for tomorrow.
In 129 Akal Academies, 60,000 students are being prepared on the lines of Gurmat (spirituality) for making this world a better place. If scientific education is needed to open up your eyes to the material world, at the same time, with spiritual education, we tread the path of righteousness.
Creating Complete Human Beings
Akal Academy rural schools are trying to make a complete man out of rural children, through developing scientific attitude and evolving them into the category of being Saint-like. Mere pedantic education brings ego in a man. He starts thinking that whatever he gained is best for his material self, which would help him to earn a better means for livelihood.
But by amalgamating spiritual values, it helps him to become a REAL HUMAN BEING. Every merit comes from Him, He is behind everything. Nothing is beyond Him. When we are able to build this bent of mind, we will understand the needs of the futurist world wherein we are losing our heritage and succumbing to degeneration of values in this modern egoistic world.
Then only we can incubate by trudging in the path of serving selflessly to the country and the community.
Value-Based Education for All
That is why a value-based quality education is being provided in all Akal Academies. Baru Sahib emphasized the need of faith on the Divine and to lead a true and spiritual life while performing all the worldly duties. It is a land where nothing becomes something. Baru Sahib precludes the subliminal thoughts and ignites the mind with education.
Today, alumni of Akal Academies are at the top of success and increasing the brightness of the world with their glitter.
Working for Women Empowerment
Discrimination against women in India is prevalent since long. It is considered that men are the protectors and maintainers of women. They do not need education, after all they are supposed to stay at home to do household work, while men are responsible for outside work and earnings.
But it is just a witty conspiracy to keep the nose high of manhood. The number is not less, who represent chauvinistic mindset who think woman is just a pretty toy.
Closing all gender gaps and promoting gender equality, Baru Sahib strives to empower women and allow them to overcome obstacles in life. At Akal Academies, underprivileged rural girls aged from 16 to 25 who were forced to stay at home and do household work are being put to school/college and taught modern scientific education and spiritual training.
After obtaining under-graduate and graduate degrees, they are enrolled in a 3-year course at the Akal Institute of Rural Women Empowerment (AIRWE). These girls are placed as teachers/assistants in any of the 129 rural schools as per their capability. Baru Sahib opens the doors for girls which were closed by society and false cultural beliefs. Baru Sahib gives them wings to fly because the sky is for all.
Undertaking Development of Rural Livelihoods
The major cause of poverty in rural areas is lack of access to education. Rural people are often exploited due to lack of awareness. In rural areas, one has to face many problems in life including food, shelter, and education of the children. In these circumstances, education of women in rural areas seems rather redundant.
Primary level education in rural areas is worse than in cities. Most government officials are not aware about the issues concerning local employment opportunities. Government policies and schemes are immersed in corruption and bad implementation. Monitoring and special emphasis is needed for providing quality education in rural areas and villages.
For the last 25 years, Baru Sahib has been working for the poor, backward, and upliftment of the locals, weaker sections, and minorities. Baru Sahib invariably strives to impart quality education to students of rural areas. The development of rural areas lies in providing Education.
Expanding the Reach of Rural Education
While attempting the challenge, Akal Academy Baru Sahib has established a chain of schools being run in rural Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and backward hill areas of Himachal Pradesh. Crossing all hurdles and barriers, Baru Sahib is educating rural youth more and more, stretching its hand to bring them to the fore.
Baru Sahib lights up their lives in the darkness. Even in the Akal Academies’ past history, every time it has been demonstrated that the best students have emerged from the poorest families.
Sports – Building Strong Bodies and Minds
Sports is a human activity that involves specific administration, organization, and a historical background of rules which define the object and limit the pattern of human behavior. It involves competition or challenge and a definite outcome primarily determined by physical skill.
In the same way, Baru Sahib nurtures its students talent, and tries to bring it out and funnel skills and attitudes needed for healthy bodies. Mere education will not suffice. Extra-curricular activities give agility and sprightliness and enable them to tolerate any difficult task.
Baru Sahib believes sports and game programs will help to reduce stress and expand capability. Concentration on sports with rigorous practice and dedication helps win laurels to the institution. Students learn discipline and hard work.
In Akal Academies there are indoor and outdoor games such as athletics, track events, races, jumps, hockey, football, lawn tennis, cricket, volleyball, basketball, handball, badminton, table tennis, weight-lifting, chess, carom, and squash.
Music Matters – The Soul of Expression
Our life is incomplete without music. The way of music has changed with time but has never mattered. Music is an integral part of life. If we listen carefully, river, air, animals, and birds are all blessed by God with distinct voices.
Music is not just a method to express our feelings, but we can also feel it. Indian music is internationally distinguished. Music teaches us self-discipline and time management skills that you cannot get anywhere else.
In spirituality, music has its own place. If a devotee chants devotional songs, the mind will be focused towards God. So, music works on spiritual progression and keeps us close to our culture.
Sikh music tradition was Raag adharit and initiated by the Sikh Gurus. All Sikh Gurus sang hymns in praise of the Almighty Lord. Music education is a compulsory subject in the curriculum of Akal Academies.
It is another step taken by Baru Sahib to empower women. Tabla and Gurmat Sangeet are compulsory for every girl. Students are given traditional music training by renowned teachers. After completion, they receive a Sangeet Prabhakar Diploma, the equivalent of B.Ed, enabling them to work as music teachers in schools.
Tenacious Environmentalist – Nurturing Nature
Today, environmental destruction has become a worldwide problem. Deforestation, industrialization, and excessive production are harming nature, environment, and mankind.
The contribution of Baru Sahib in environment protection is vast. Students of Akal Academies assist the oppressed, marginalized, and needy, and also take part in environmental initiatives inspired by Guru Nanak’s teaching:-
“Pavan Guru Pani Pita, Mata Dharat Mahat”
(Air is the Guru, Water the Father, and the Earth is the Great Mother).
Hundreds of rallies on environment protection have been organized by Akal Academy students in villages to make people aware about preserving nature.
Blossoming Humanity at Baru Sahib
The flowers bloom in the premises of Baru Sahib and its fragrance spreads to all corners of the world persistently. Baru Sahib, which sprouted from a little seed, has now grown into a great tree.
Complimenting its mission, a 280-bed Charitable Hospital at Baru Sahib in Himachal Pradesh provides free healthcare facilities to underprivileged rural and hilly people, virtually at their doorsteps.
The Kalgidhar Society also runs an orphanage, the Akal Child Welfare Foundation, which looks after the needs of orphaned children.
Understanding the importance of education, Akal Academies stay two steps ahead in faculties compared to other institutions. For both boarding and day-boarding schools, residence is provided to teachers who come from far-off places.
As a foray into Higher Education, the Society has started Eternal University, which today runs 24 programs including:-
• Akal College of Arts & Science
• Akal College of Engineering & Technology
• Akal College of Nursing
and several other professional courses.
In the Sacred Shadow of Love
Baru Sahib is flowing in the sacred shadow of love to spread sweetness and wisdom across the world.
May Almighty bless this unique institution:-
Citius, Altius, Fortius “Faster, Higher, Stronger.”
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