Clarification
on the Buses Issue on 23rd Nov ’15 – The Kalgidhar Trust Baru Sahib
With deep anguish and pain we are sharing this
clarification with Sadh Sangat. Since
this tirade was carried out in the social media, facebook and whatsapp;
initiated through fake ids and vulgar language; hence it did not warrant a
rejoinder from us.
We are saddened by the recent accusations and
baseless allegations spread against us by some misinformed persons. We wish to clarify that NO vehicle or Bus
belonging to Baru Sahib was ever used in the recent political function.
It is equally sad to see these people, using
foul language and profanities against Baba Iqbal Singh ji, who has not only
created the largest educational endeavor of the Sikh community but also dedicated
his whole life to the Panth. These
ignorant sinners manipulated innocent Sangat with
falsehood. These are baseless accusations and we request the Revered Sangat not to take this on face
value.
Our heart bleeds when a divine persona like Baba
ji is called a “Thug”. What these ignorant do not know is that:
- Baba Ji
left his class-1 job with the Punjab Government. Joined Himachal Pradesh
Agriculture Department on a lower post. All as per directions of Sant Teja
Singh Ji to realize the Tapo Bhumi of
Baru Sahib.
- He
spent all his life-savings, salary & pension on this charitable mission. He
never built any house for himself. He retired as Director of Agriculture, H.P.
- He
started the Akal Academy Baru Sahib with 5 students in 1986, which has in 29
years now grown into 129 Schools and 2 Universities with 60,000 students. Besides
the Trust runs a 250-bed Hospital, 2 De-addiction Centers and the largest Women
Empowerment program in North India.
The
greatest contribution of Baru Sahib for Charhdi
Kala of the Panth is that all students retain the Sikh attire and begin
their day with Nitnem. And all the Gurdwaras within the Schools
are maintained and run by the students themselves.
Regarding
the recent events:
- On 21st
November, Saturday, some bus contractors informed us of their inability to
operate on 23rd November, as they were required to make their buses
available for one day for the political function.
- The
Principals of these Academies tried hard to dissuade them but they said that
they were helpless. Despite all efforts no alternative arrangements could be
made at such a short notice.
- The
Principals then consulted parents of the affected Akal Academies to see if the
kids could be dropped to school on 23rd morning. Most disagreed as
they felt insecure due to the prevailing uncertainty. The parents informed the
Principals of their inability to do so under the present conditions.
It is being clarified that all
teachers and Principals reported to school even in the affected academies and
classes were held for the students who could manage to come to school by making
their own arrangements.
The
Actual Facts:
About
1200 buses are used for transporting students in all Akal Academies.
- Of
these, about 200 are owned by The Kalgidhar Trust. All buses did their regular duties.
None of
the Trust owned buses went to any political function.
- 900 are hired by the Trust from
Contractors. 20 did not report for duty on 23rd.
- About
100 buses are hired directly by the parents and there is no involvement of
school in such arrangements. 17 did not report for duty on 23rd.
Sangat in all
its wisdom can see that just 37 buses
out of a 1200 (3%) did not report for school duty on that day. This
affected transportation of students in 4
Akal Academies out of 129 (3%), where classes were held only for those few
students who could manage to reach the school on their own.
It is being stated categorically that:
(i) Principals
and staff of all Akal Academies reported for duty on 23rd November.
(ii) Normal
classes were held in all the 129 schools other than the 4 affected schools.
May I humbly submit that for contracted buses,
we do not have much option except penalizing them for the losses, if they
occasionally skip their routes. We are currently in the process of obtaining
legal advice regarding feasibility of terminating the contracts of the vendors
who did not ply their buses to bring students on 23rd November
despite our strict instructions.
It is sad that after devoting all his life to the Sikh Panth, Baba ji has to witness such
animosity from some misguided people. Equally sad is to see that panthic missions like Baru Sahib are
being targeted by some vested interests that probably are doing a great disservice
to the Sikh community.
I hope that with
these clarifications, misgivings propagated by some misguided persons would be
resolved and this unsavory episode comes to an end.
Please
give us your blessings, love, motivation and support so that the mission of
Guru Nanak permeates to all corners of the world.
-
Ravinder Pal Singh, The Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib
