Indians and the Sikh community in particular are witness to a sacred milestone in history on 17th July 2015 culminating with a 309 Years journey of the Tenth Master’s prophecy of ‘Guru Ki Kashi’, with the inauguration of Akal University, Talwandi Sabo, Sri Damdama Sahib dedicated to Sri Guru Gobind Singh’s vision. It took some great collective effort from Sikh sangat all across the world to bring this prophecy to a reality. Supporters for this cause enjoined with their sharings from every corner and across all social strata.Baba Iqbal Singh, President, Kalgidhar Society, a world-renowned charity working for rural education in North India through 130 schools, was chosen by the community to deliver this noble mission of setting up ‘Guru ki Kashi’ as was endeavoured by Guru Gobind Singh ji. Baba Iqbal Singh, 90 yrs took charge & chose to realize this unfulfilled prophecy of Guru Gobind Singh by toiling, travelling across the world and plodding on dragging his frail body, thereby managing to counsel and bring together an army of volunteers & well wishers for this noble cause. The project was constructed in 24 months with 6,50,000 sq ft of built-up space.
The Inauguration Ceremony was held on 17th July 2015 at the beautiful pentad campus through the hands of Deputy Chief Minister Punjab, S. Sukhbir Singh Badal and other cabinet members of Punjab Government.The Ceremony began with divine hymns sung by renowned Kirtaniyas and students of Akal Academy Baru Sahib and was graced by a divine gathering of blessed souls like Singh Sahib Giani Gurmukh Singh, Jathedar Takht Sri Damdama Sahib. This august gathering blessed with their presence and froze the divine moments of achieving the tenth Guru’s word.Akal University offers Bachelors as well as Masters degrees in Economics, Commerce, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, English, Punjabi and Music. In a first, Akal University would also offer Bachelor with Honours in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Studies.
Welcoming the massive gathering, Dr Davinder Singh, Secretary Kalgidhar "We are indebted to all supporters across the world for the successful realization of this University”. Dr Gurmail Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Akal University said "Akal University is a journey that started 309 years and will be a world-class University. We are following the syllabus of Panjab University and Delhi University. We shall be seeking merit based student excellence with only Honours courses.S. Jeet Mohinder Singh, local MLA said "I am happy and that S. Sukhbir Singh Badal took interest in helping setup Akal University, which is the third University in this area."S. Bikram Singh Majithia, Minister for Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management, Information said "Baba Iqbal Singh and his team have delivered excellence in Quality Education and made an impact on all world; and I can say that they have opened my eyes. What they have achieved is the most precious resource for the Punjabi community."
Dy. Chief Minister, S. Sukhbir Singh Badal on this occasion said “When I laid the foundation stone of Akal University, I had confessed that iit was the most happiest day of my life. On behalf of all Punjab, I wish to congratulate Baba Iqbal Singh and his team. Without doubt the contribution of Baba Iqbal Singh is the single-most largest ever endeavour in the Punjabi community. My mother always wanted this University here and I am happy to be blessed with this opportunity. Any community that dedicates its youth to excellence in education will always prosper. We are fighting a war with drugs and Punjab has taken the brunt of this onslaught by foreign powers and more of these schools and Universities should open to face this eventuality to save the nation"
Finally Baba Iqbal Singh ji said "We do produce toppers and achievers but we also produce young souls embedded with Gurbani, and seven of these recently performed Akhand Path in one sitting of 48 hours.
My head bows to such souls. This is the content that we produce with Gods. blessings."Finally the Fourth Prophecy of Guru Gobind Singh Ji for Damdama Sahib has seen the light of the day after travelling across ethereal space. Now, after formal recognition, the Kalgidhar Society face a mammoth task of setting up the Centre for Studies on Sri Guru Granth Sahib, which is also the core objective of the Akal University and the other futurist courses in the next phase. The Kalgidhar Society would need all around support from all supporters of this cause to take this project to the next level. Most people in the community expect them to shoulder the responsibility of turning-around the socially deflated society in Punjab and other North Indian states through their value-based education. May the Temporal Seat of Damdama Sahib now be also known for the ‘Seat of Learning’! May the most modern and recent religion’s Inter-Faith message be spread all across, penetrating with love through all borders and seeker hearts!