Music has always been a powerful element in human life. It has the ability to calm the mind, reduce stress and connect the human spirit with deeper emotions and consciousness. Across cultures and religions, music finds its place in one form or another, as prayer, meditation or remembrance of the Divine.
In Sikhi, music is an integral part of the Guru Shabad. From the time of Pehli Patshahi, Sahib Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj, music became the sacred vessel for transmitting the Guru Shabad, the divine truth. Guru Sahib would recite the Shabad, and Bhai Mardana Ji, his lifelong companion, would play the Rabab, giving musical form to the divine utterance. Guru Nanak Dev Ji is traditionally remembered as saying to Bhai Mardana Ji:
“Mardanya, Rabab chher- Bani aayi hai.”
(Mardana Ji, play the Rabab, the Divine Shabad has arrived from the Eternal Source.)
This sacred tradition of using string instruments continued through successive Guru Sahibans. Instruments such as the Taus, introduced and played during the time of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji (The 6th Sikh Guru Sahib), and the Dilruba, developed during the time of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (The 10th Sikh Guru Sahib), further enriched the spiritual and musical heritage of Sikhi.
Following this ancient tradition, students of Akal Academy, across curricula - Cambridge, IB and CBSE, are trained daily in various string instruments alongside their academic education. These include the Rabab, Taus, Dilruba, Sarangi, Veena, and Sitar, among others.
Currently, students are learning around 10 string instruments and practicing a total of nearly 30 different musical instruments. This holistic training nurtures the next generation of learners to grow into true Gursikhs—individuals who excel in worldly education, perform Guru Shabad, master traditional instruments, and practice martial disciplines such as Karate, Taekwondo, and Gatka. This integrated approach shapes a holistic personality, envisioned by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Through regular musical training and Shabad Kirtan, these students actively participate in spreading awareness of Sikhi through Guru Bani. As a continuation of this small effort, students of Akal Academy Baru Sahib will be performing Guru Shabad today, 7th February, at Gurudwara Sahib, Sector 18, Noida, from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Kindly join us at Gurudwara Sahib or watch us live on www.youtube.com/@gurudwarasahibnoida
Akal Academy Celebrating 40 years of Education – 1986 – 2026
Fully Residential School | Co-educational | International Educational Boards
IB (Nursery–V) | Cambridge (VI–XII) | CBSE (Nursery–XII)
Admission Open for the academic session of 2026-27
Call us – 18001807755
Register @ https://www.akalacademy.in/register
Honouring the profound legacy of Sant Baba Attar Singh Ji Maharaj (Mastuana Wale), the Annual Sant Samagam will be organised at Gurdwara Shri Rakab Ganj Sahib on 14th February (Saturday) and 15th February (Sunday). Akal Academy Baru Sahib warmly invites everyone to join us for this pious gathering.
During the Akal Academy Baru Sahib will also be conducting the Entrance Test for the new admission batch (2026–27) on 16th and 17th February. For further details, please contact 1800 180 7755 or register at: https://www.akalacademy.in/register
Visitors are also invited to explore various displays within the premises, showcasing the following initiatives:
1. Gurmat Phulwari
Calligraphy lessons, painting and drawing competitions, poetry recitation, Gurmat quiz, Gurbani pronunciation, Dastar Bandi (turban-tying competition), and Gatka sessions and competitions.
2. Admissions & Education Spectrum
Explore academic opportunities at Akal Academy and beyond.
3. Chardikala – Spiritual Wellbeing
Focus on mental wellness, Gurmat Phulwari, self-defence, creativity, and divinity.
Schedule:
• 14th February (Saturday)
• 15th February (Sunday)
Contact us @ 1800 180 7755
Website: www.akalacademybarusahib.com
Register for admissions: https://www.akalacademy.in/register
Empowering Future-Ready Learners at Akal Academy Baru Sahib – An IB World School.
Akal Academy Baru Sahib, an international boarding school established in 1986, we deliver progressive education through a unique curriculum and a value-based educational framework that fosters active learning with values at heart.
Our comprehensive infrastructure supports every child’s development through:
Computer Lab
Chemistry Lab
Library
Math Lab
Music Lab
Arts Class
Self-Defense Class
Smart Class
Our students thrive in a nurturing environment where academic excellence is rooted in values and global-mindedness.
Nurturing Inquiry
Instilling Ethics
Encouraging Creativity
Building Confidence
Here, education is not just about books — it’s about developing balanced, principled, and knowledgeable individuals ready to lead with compassion and courage.
We welcome inquiries for admission into our globally aligned curriculum pathways:
Register for admissions: https://www.akalacademy.in/register
IB (Nursery–V) | CBSE (Nursery–XII) | Cambridge (VI–XII)
Fully Residential | Co-educational | Since 1986
Website - www.akalacademybarusahib.com
Contact us @ 18001807755 | WhatsApp: 9816400510
A long-standing friend of the Akal family and a truly multi-faceted personality, Dr. Juss Kaur Magon is deeply connected with Gurbani, which she sings and experiences from the soul. She brings Sikh history alive through her paintings and, as an acclaimed Educational Psychologist from McGill University Canada, and a D.Phil. from the University of Oxford, teaches across the globe on subjects that touch, heal, and nurture the humanistic spirit.
We are honoured to have been associated with her for more than 10 years. This year, she returned to lead an intensive Social Emotional Learning (SEL) workshop, where around 66 Principals, 25 teachers, and 11 Coordinators participated in an eight-day training programme, strengthening their capacity to guide students with empathy, awareness, and emotional intelligence. The workshop was organised under the guidance of Dr. Gurmail Singh Ji, Vice Chancellor, at the beautiful campus of Akal University Talwandi Sabo, established in 2016. The Akal Family extends its sincere gratitude for the gracious hospitality.
True humility is not just a principle written in scriptures—it is lived by those who truly embody selflessness, service, and devotion. One of the greatest examples of humility in action comes from Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who, despite being a warrior-saint and Guru Sahib, always considered himself a servant of the Divine and the Sikh Panth.
The Story of Bhagat Puran Singh – The Saint of Pingalwara
In the 20th century, one of the greatest examples of humility in action was Bhagat Puran Singh, the founder of Pingalwara, an institution dedicated to serving the sick, disabled and destitute.
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He spent his entire life carrying abandoned and sick individuals on his shoulders, bringing them to safety and care.
Despite his tremendous work, he never sought recognition, awards, or power.
He lived simply, often sleeping on the floor, wearing tattered clothes, and eating basic meals, because he gave everything he had to the service of others.
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One of his most famous sayings was:
ਰੱਬ ਦੇ ਬੰਦਿਆ, ਰੱਬ ਬੰਨੇ ਦਾ ਵੀਖ।
Rabb de bandea, rabb bann ke vekh.
(O human, serve as if you were God Himself caring for others.)
Bhagat Puran Singh’s life showed that humility is not about words, it is about selfless action.
A life that humbly transformed retirement into a lifelong mission for humanity.
Born in Bharyal Lehri, Gurdaspur district of Punjab, Sant Baba Iqbal Singh Ji completed his Master of Science in Agriculture and later joined the Government of Himachal Pradesh in the Agriculture Department, retiring as the Director of Agriculture.
Sant Baba Iqbal Singh Ji met Sant Teja Singh Ji and was deeply inspired by his life and teachings. He became his devoted disciple and imbibed a path of service, discipline, and spiritual purpose.
Guided by the vision and spiritual direction of Sant Teja Singh Ji, Baba Iqbal Singh ji revealed the sacred Tapo Bhoomi at Baru Sahib, marking the beginning of a transformative journey.
In 1986, with just five students in a single-room school, he founded Akal Academy, Baru Sahib. What began as a modest initiative soon grew into a powerful movement. Today, his vision stands tall as 131 Akal Academies across five states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh, nurturing over 70,000 young minds, with a mission to empower rural children through value-based education and contribute to rebuilding Punjab.
Along with this, Sant Baba Iqbal Singh Ji laid special emphasis on women empowerment, a vision reflected in the fact that all Akal Academies are led by women principals. He also established AIRWE (Akal Institute of Rural Women Empowerment), providing free education, food, and lodging to underserved rural girls, enabling them to become confident, self-reliant individuals.
His mission further extended to drug de-addiction and rehabilitation, working towards a drug-free Punjab and supporting underprivileged Sikhs to lead lives of dignity and purpose.
In recognition of his lifelong service, Sant Baba Iqbal Singh Ji was honored with the Sikh Lifetime Achievement Award (2016), the Shiromani Panth Rattan by Takht Sri Harmandir Ji, Patna Sahib (2018), and the Padma Shri by the Government of India (2022) for his contributions to social work.
A legacy that continues to guide generations.