Age cannot Wear him down NICER honours Baba Iqbal Singh, 90 with Lifetime Achievement award

Age cannot Wear him down

NICER honours Baba Iqbal Singh, 90 with Lifetime Achievement award

New Delhi – 21 Mar 2016:

An unclean environment is an insult to the Creator. Everything that Nature has created is beautiful. But nature is forced to submit to the mankind’s inexcusable it is only man who makes his environment dirty and, very often, and for reasons best known to himself. It is in his hands to be clean, prevent diseases and prolongs life and its quality. Cleanliness has the power to make mind fresh and open to what is right and shut to predispositions that society today is partial to. We have to take cleanliness beyond every home to neighbourhood, to society and should not stop at developing clean civic habits but also clean social conduct.

The National Institute of Cleanliness Education Research (NICER) today honoured Baba Iqbal Singh, President Kalgidhar Trust and Chancellor of Eternal University, HP with a Lifetime Achievement Award during the Afro-Asian Cleanliness Conference 2016 held at India International Centre, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi. Dr. P R Trivedi, Founder Chancellor, Indira Gandhi Technological and Medical Sciences University, Arunachal Pradesh and President, Confederations of Indian Universities (CIU) presided over the function. National Institute of Cleanliness Education and Research (NICER) cosponsored by many universities from all over the country and funded by the Afro-Asian-American Chamber of Commerce, Occupational Research and Development (ACCORD) has designed a masterplan paradigm for cleaning up the country.

Baba Iqbal Singh retired as Director Agriculture from Himachal Pradesh in 1986 and thereafter started a small school with 5 students as envisaged by his predeccessors Sant Attar Singh ji and Sant Teja Singh ji, MA LLB AM Harvard.  This fountainhead today has progressed into a chain on 129 rural schools and 2 Private Universities alongwith a host of Social Development programs. One of the most remarkable contribution by Baba Iqbal Singh ji has been the Free Teachers Training Program, which till date has benefitted more than 2000 marginalised girls from rural areas through its free B.Ed training and jobs as Teachers or allied staff. Following the faith that the houses whose daughters are educated are the homes that keep the evil away . Education is the turning point of the clan to be clean. This keeps the society free from gender inequality, empowered, progressive and clean.

‘Clean to Clan’ to Babaji is doing everything that can turn a life around starting from cleaning the environment, sustaining the outer environment as clean as ever extending this to inner self of people for a society that is painstakingly clean. Comprehensive cleanliness to Babaji is a mandate which each one of us should follow – education, gender equality, women empowerment and a soul free from intoxicants all these when practiced together results a society – free from evil, keeps society strong by default to wade away from nefarious  designs.

Clean to Clan thus becomes the foundation of all of Babaji’s work, the comprehensiveness of this mandate works two ways – self to society and society to self, where the outside surroundings adds to totality. Whilst education, empowerment and gender equality brought about cleaning in society on one hand and added to general conscience to keep cleanliness in the surroundings this is well exhibited in village - Lana Bhalta, District Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh. For the uninitiated, ‘Lana Bhalta’ is the winner of Swachh Mission award of Rs. 10 lakhs in Himachal Pradesh amongst 3243 Gram Panchayats. Here there are toilets in each household, a localised system to sift waste from water flowing out of every kitchen into soak pits; and not a scrap of garbage or filthy water is to be seen all under the aegis of Baba Iqbal Singh.

Each of the households in the village has been given a sanitation kit that includes a toilet brush, a jute bag for collecting garbage, a dust pan, a dust bin and a nail cutter. The five anganwadis in the panchayat are equipped with toilets that have special seats for children. Almost all items from the garbage bins are recycled. Raddi (wasted paper) is recycled into paper and stale, oily’ food into manure. Oil-free waste like raw vegetables and left-over food find their way into the vermi compost pit. Nothing is left unused. Waste from building material such as stones, bricks and rubble is used for construction; while glass, tin, shoes, clothes and toys are sold to trash buyers. Toxic waste is burnt in incinerators, while the entire garbage is made bacteria free. , Tthis model is fortified further through grass root level awareness and education to inculcate clean and healthy habits.

When we spoke to Baba  Iqbal Singh ji, he humbly shrugs off the mention of the lifetime achievement award and says “Cleanliness of Environment should be preceded by Cleanliness of the Mind, of the five vices. Pavan paani dharati aakas ghar mandar har bani. i.e. Air, water earth and sky are God's home and temple - sacred places which need to be protected and looked after. ”

 

Clarification on the Buses Issue on 23rd Nov ’15 – The Kalgidhar Trust Baru Sahib

Clarification on the Buses Issue on 23^rd 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 21^st November, Saturday, some bus contractors informed us of their inability to operate on 23^rd 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 23^rd 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 23^rd.

-   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 23^rd.

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 23^rd 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 23^rd 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

Nagar Kirtans - Is there Hope out of this Chaos?

Nagar Kirtans - Is there Hope out of this Chaos?

Sheer Colossal Waste of precious funds. Break the Silence Please!

It looks like a sight from a war zone. Massive Traffic jams, utter chaos all around, strewn paper plates and eatables, mass hysteria, honking cars, eve-teasing, motorcyclists showing their daredevil skills, cursing victims of traffic jams and in the midst of all this; discordant cacophony of loud horns blazing divine kirtan. Somehow, the serene kirtan seems out of sync with the action, turmoil and bedlam.

You can see the over-fed affluent being fed gleefully by over-indulgent generous looking Sikhs. All the while shooing away the under-nourished poor urchins. It is a very confusing and inverse sight when we see people call this chaotic pomp and show as Nagar Kirtan. And it is diametrically opposite to Guru Nanak's Langar when you actually display your egos and wealth through your stalls and yet call it Parshad. I have seen Parshads flying around and that is an indicator of how pious we hold it to be.

It is time enough to have a relook at this extravaganza. In historic times Nagar Kirtan used to be a processional congregation of singing divine hymns early in the mornings, also called Prabhat Pheris. We have reduced it to sending the already overcrowded city to spiralling traffic jams, littering the already dirty streets, vulgarly displaying our wealth, earning the ire of others and getting cursed by lakhs of people put to discomfort.

Can we look at it differently? If the goal of such Nagar Kirtans is spreading the love and message of our Gurus. 

- Then why not assemble in our Gurdwaras for singing divine hymns daylong in peace and serenity? Without putting lakhs of people to hardship. 

- Why not spend on National media and channels to portray our message? Make historic documentaries and films on our Gurus. These will be documents for generations to come. 

- Why not ask all Langar-interest people to adopt one JJ colony or areas of the homeless? Setup stalls there and feed the poor. They will bless you enough and the nation would be apprised of the sanctity of Langar.  

If you have read this till here, can you make it a point to write your thoughts in the comments below or post it on your wall? BREAK THE SILENCE PLEASE!

IS PUNJAB DYING?

IS PUNJAB DYING?

Looks like Punjab is the next Drug, Cancer & Impotency Capital.

It is a Hobson’s choice for the country’s wheat bowl, leonine wall and the land of prosperity & plenty. Straighten-up or perish!

The vortex of Alcohol, Drugs, Illiteracy and eroded social values has further led Punjab to a cancer and Impotency capital. There is no end to keeping on discussions on the various ‘psycho-socio-medical’ problems of Punjab. The time has come, to act to a plan that provides succour to this doomed state that has already lost one generation to Terrorism/Police excesses and the next generation to Drugs.

 A small excursion into available facts throws light on what ails the state. 13,200 odd Primary Schools run under the state government (only 3400 were added in the last 36 years). This is a far cry from the glorious past. Till 1850 as documented by Dr GW Lietner, renowned British Historian; from Lahore to Panipat, every Gurdwara, Mosque, Temple and Dharamshala carried a school of sorts for basic education.And he called Punjab “the most educated place in India”. Sad to say, the state that was number one in literacy rankings till 1970 has now dropped to a poor 21st rank. Coupled with a 48% dropout, drop in students enrollment in Govt. Schools from 20.13 lakhs in 1979 to 13.10 lakhs in 2014; the situation seems spiralling towards a dark end.

Whew! What ails this, once fortress of the country? The spiraling illiteracy coupled with a myriad of social, religious issues, alcohol promotion by the state resulted in the youth riddled with drugs. Further to this, females too falling for drugs meant that recently the youngest documented drug addict was found in Khanna to be a 2-yr old baby. Gleefully, the locals called it “Smack Baby” and he was diagnosed when he was being weaned away from the mother’s milk. As you guessed, she was a smack addict. Drug addicts in Punjab now are graduating towards Poly-Drugs, which are available in plenty and cheap. Highest growth in liquor consumption has happened in Punjab too. And Punjabis are drinking away to oblivion, it seems.And to promote more sales, the State government recently reduce the price of country-made liquor by Rs. 20 per bottle. And you will be shocked to know that the highest potency of 75 percent alcohol content has been introduced here. The state is going numb!

Marriages now are taking place amongst drug addicts and unfortunately there are numerous cases of deformed children, developmental problems, such as cerebral palsy, seizure disorder, and mental retardation. There is a serious issue looming at large with these oncoming midnight’s children. Only time will tell whether they adhere to societal norms or become a problem for the society.

Shockingly, Punjab's bowels are parched and intestines drying up! Rampant abuse and rape of the agrarian lands by chemical-obsessed farmers; with pesticides, overdrawing and high usage of water meant that the water table is poisoned and we see one of the highest cancer rates in Punjab. Villages are up-for-sale due to waterlessness. A severe water scarcity and contamination crisis is on cards for Harkishanpura (Dist. Bathinda), Mandi Khurd (Dist. Bathinda), Mal Singh Wala (Dist. Mansa), Teja Rohella (Dist. Ferozepur), Dona Nanka (Dist. Ferozepur), Mirzapur Sandharsi (Dist. Patiala) and hordes of other lesser known ones. I do not feel that the powers to be have any solutions to multiple environmental toxicity, drying-up of upper aquifers, contamination of water table, destroyed river eco-systems, depleting aquatic life, ‘almost dead’ biodiversity, reduced crop diversity, decaying immune capacity, early ageing and obviously Cancer etc.The Punjabi and his animals too, of today are highly dependent on Medicines. Due to the poisonous water table, a majority of animals have become sterile and unproductive with reduced milk output, horses going sterile and hens unable to lay eggs properly. Sample - 180 students enrolled at the Government Primary School, Dona Nanka, in the border district of Ferozepur at least 110 are physically unfit.

Now Punjab is spiralling downwards on the economic front too. From being number 1 in per capita income till 1990 it has slid to position 12, other than being the slowest growing economy amongst big states and the largest borrower in the last five-year plan. 

It is sad to see the fortress of India crumbling to dust. The need of the hour is Education and Awareness for the coming generation. The responsibility falls on the community itself and it is only organisations like The Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib or to some extent Chief Khalsa Diwan and SGPC; that have invested in creating much-needed Educational institutions. Kalgidhar Trust has in just 29 years managed to build around 129 schools and two Universities and seeks to impart value-based education through 500 schools in another decade. This is helping cocoon the young kids from drugs and alcohol.

The community has to wake-up to the reality and invest its precious resources wisely. But time is running out and immediate intervention is required. Punjab has rebounded in the past and it cannot let us down this time too. What it needs is a strong community-driven push instead of simply waiting for governments to move into action!