From a Small Village to the BAL RATAN – story of Gurpreet Kaur of Akal Academy Gomti

The Little Champion

A rural girl student of village Gomti’s Akal Academy received title of BAL RATAN 2013 at an exclusive District level Inter-School Competition held at Pushp Institute, Pilibhit, UP, which marked the final ceremony for the “BAL RATAN Hunt 2013”, an event organized by “Kabir Shanti Mission” every year. Gurpreet Kaur , a class 12th student of Akal Academy Gomti, alongside 2 more students from the Academy viz. Mahaveer Singh & Ashish Kumar registered a forceful presence at the event for the institute, competing with full gusto, facing fierce competition amongst equally talented participants from some of the top-notch schools of the district, like C.L.V.P Sarasvati Vidya Mandir, Shishu Bihar Inter-college, etc.

The Road to BAL RATAN Glory

The Kabir Shanti Mission, known for instilling values of positive thinking and citizenship through the teachings of Saint Kabir, organizes the BAL Ratan Khoj annually to find and encourage the brightest young minds.
The journey wasn’t easy:-
1. Round 1 ( Essay Writing ) – Gurpreet, along with Mahaveer Singh and Ashish Kumar from Akal Academy, Gomti impressed judges with their thoughts and clarity.
2. Round 2 ( General Knowledge Test ) – Competing against district toppers, the trio proved their sharpness and secured places among the top 11 finalists.
3. Round 3 ( Debate & Speech ) – In the final round, Gurpreet’s powerful delivery stood out, earning her the 2nd position, while Mahaveer Singh secured 4th and Ashish Kumar claimed a strong position in the top 6.

The Star of the Show

Gurpreet’s speech not only showcased her intellect but also her courage and confidence, breaking stereotypes about rural girls’ capabilities. Her achievement was even more special because she was the only female among the awardees, representing the voice and potential of countless rural daughters.
She proudly received her honor from Mr. Gangwar, President of Nagar Nigam, Pilibhit, in the presence of the selection board smiling for a photograph that would inspire many in her village for years to come.

How the Mission chooses the Award Winners

“Kabir Peace Mission”, an organization that seeks to develop positive thinking amongst students & youth by aspiring children with teaching of Saint Kabir to make them good citizens, organizes “BAL Ratan Khoj” every year to hunt for the brightest of the students to support & inspire them for a better future.

The ‘mission’ selects several schools from a particular district & holds an Essay writing competition to select participants for the competition, where the winners are invited to compete at district level, where they undergo a General Knowledge Test in the 2nd round. Then on the basis of merit 11 students are short listed for the final event, where all the finalists are provided topics to debate upon & give their speeches.

Why This Matters

Words of Pride from the Principal Mrs. Rangbeer Kaur – “Kudos to Gurpreet Kaur and other students for bringing honor to the Academy at an event of such repute and esteem.”
Gurpreet’s victory is proof that talent has no postcode. Whether from a big city or a remote village, determination, preparation, and confidence can help any student compete and win at the highest levels.
Her story serves as a rallying cry for other rural students to step forward, participate, and let your voice be heard.