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The children hailing from rural and backward areas of Northern India have negligible prospects of education. Majority of people are farm workers, masons, carpenters and labor working in various other areas and are illiterate. India accounts for more than 20 percent of the world's out-of-school children and for 20 percent of the gender-gap in elementary education. Don't forget that nearly one-fourth of India's population, 251 million out of nearly one billion, is below the poverty line. One hundred seventy million of the poor (68 percent) are rural.

Akal Academies: The Kalgidhar Society has established 41 English Medium schools affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), all in rural, backward, remote and far-flung areas of Northern Indian states of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, wherein more than 30,000 students are being imparted moral-based high quality scientific education. 40% of these students are girls and 20% of the total student body (either orphans or belonging to poor rural families) is studying totally free of cost. Under Akal Talent Search Scheme, The Kalgidhar Society conducts an examination to identify brilliant young minds from lower strata of the society for further qualitative free education from class VI to XII at various Akal Academies. These academies have established an outstanding academic standard. Additional 130 such academies are also planned for future, again all for the rural areas with estimated future enrolment of more than 1,50,000 students.

Spiritual Academies: The Kalgidhar Society has established the spiritual academy for girls (Akal Gurmat and Sangeet Academy for girls) at Baru Sahib, wherein 200 underprivileged girls from rural background are provided education, spiritual & vocational training in music and other fields so that while treading the path of spirituality, they can earn their livelihood independently on completion of the course. Their educational, medical, physical and dietary needs including board and lodging and clothes, etc. are provided by The Kalgidhar Society. The spiritual academy for boys (Akal Gurmat and Sangeet Vidyalaya) at Cheema Sahib, Punjab imparts spiritual education to poor and blind students. Here, 90 students are being taught Sikh History, correct pronunciation of gurbani and kirtan in ragas. The course is of five years duration in which students are imparted spiritual education along with the scientific education so that they are able to mould their lives according to gurmat.

Akal College of Engineering & Technology: Established in 2007, ACET offers Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) degree level courses of studies in four disciplines; Electronics & Communication Engineering (ECE), Electrical & Electronics Engineering (EEE), Computer Science & Engineering (CSE), and Information Technology (IT). ACET will produce the much needed engineers and technologists for the fast growing information technology, hydropower generation, roads and real estate development and the diverse industries in the country.

Eternal University: The resolution for setting up of first private university sponsored by the Sikh community, named as Eternal University was unanimously passed by the Himachal Pradesh assembly on 10 April, 2008. Under this university, 11 professional colleges in the field of Engineering, Health Sciences, Arts and Sciences, Teachers' Training, Business Administration, Public Health, Naturopathy and Alternative Medicine, Pharmaceuticals, Divine Music and Spirituality, Medicine and Distance Learning will be set up. Akal College of Nursing at Baru Sahib is near completion and the first session is expected to commence in 2008. The Akal College of Nursing will produce and train not only the Practical Nurses and Graduate Nurses, but also will produce Nurses with Post-Graduate degree (M.S. Nursing) as well. This college will then serve as a lead institution in Nursing Education and Training.

Approximately one-third of the people of India, particularly living in the rural, hilly and tribal areas have a critical health status as a very large part remains under shadows. People have to cover long distances for vaccination and avail primary medical facilities.

The Kalgidhar Society has established a 250-bed charitable hospital in the remote rural hilly area of Himachal Pradesh, India to provide integrated health services to those neglected. Regular medical camps are organized wherein specialists from Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala, Chandigarh, Delhi, Mumbai and abroad perform free surgeries and provide treatment for various diseases. To meet the health needs of the rural poor masses and ever increasing cost of medical treatment, The Kalgidhar Society has ventured into naturopathy, which is not only much cheaper in comparison to the prevalent methods of treatment, but also cures the root cause of the chronic diseases.

Drug-Addiction has become a major health problem in India with estimates indicating that as many as 15 million people getting addicted by the end of 2005. In a study of Indian opioid addicts, researchers found that 8.3% of injectible drug users were HIV-positive. The youth in rural and backward areas of Northern India get addicted to various kinds of drugs, alcohol and narcotics from an early age resulting in an alarming increase in the crime rate, conflicts, litigations etc.

The Kalgidhar Society has established two de-addiction centers (under the pattern of 'Alcoholics Anonymous'), located at Baru Sahib (Himachal Pradesh) and Cheema (Punjab) that have cured more than 1500 drug-addicts till now, who have shed bad habits and have joined the social mainstream.

South Asia Earthquake
The deadliest of the Himalayan earthquakes recording a magnitude of 7.6 took a toll of thousands of human lives and rendered millions homeless. In India, nearly 1,345 had been confirmed dead but another 2,000 were missing. More than 36 thousand properties were damaged either fully or partially.

The Kalgidhar Society adopted completely destroyed 15 villages and provided construction material/labor for 1850 homes. The volunteers of The Kalgidhar Society carried out relief work in adverse climatic conditions of heavy snowfall and sever cold by building one historical Pandu Temple, 4 Gurdwaras, 4 Mosques and the Army's historic Library, Training, School and Canteen.

Old Age Homes
Millions of aged people, particularly in rural India are suffering from lack of proper care and protection. As they are incapable to work and earn their livelihood, they have no financial support of any kind to meet their daily requirements. Their condition is pathetic as they suffer from diseases, malnutrition, loneliness and lack of peace of mind.

The Kalgidhar Society runs an old age home at Baru Sahib, Himachal Pradesh wherein 200 aged persons are provided with care and protection.

Widows and Destitute Women Welfare
There are over 42 million widows in India according to the latest reports. They continue to live in conditions of social, economic and cultural deprivation as most of them being unable to live independently and earn their livelihood owing to the traditional Indian customs. Their condition is more pathetic in rural India due to poverty, lack of education and bias against women where they are living a life devoid of dignity and honor.

The Kalgidhar Society is running a Home for Widows and Destitute Women, wherein more than 200 widows and destitute women are being imparted vocational training in various fields to make them self-dependent.

There are about 84 million orphaned and abandoned children in India. They are left vulnerable to all sorts of evils, exploitation and death. They are often forced into child labor in order to survive and miss out on a normal childhood. Needy orphans are usually deprived of food, clothing, sufficient healthcare and a good education.

The Akal Child Welfare Foundation established by The Kalgidhar Society, located at Baru Sahib, Himachal Pradesh, India, supports more than 800 orphans and poor children all over Northern India.

Prabhdeep Singh

Commercial Pilot Course (CPL) from Sabena Airlines Training Centre Mesa, Arizona, USA

Jaideep Singh

Fighter Pilot - IAF