On the auspicious occasion of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 538th birth anniversary, The Kalgidhar Trust made a foray into Eastern India with a grand exposition aptly focussed on Guru Nanak’s message “Vidya Vichari ta paropkari” – The Goal of Education: Selfless concern for others. Hosted in Kalamandir Auditorium located in the heart of Kolkata on the 25th Nov. 2007, the spectacle was witnessed by a select gathering of the ‘who’s who’ of Kolkata in the presence of Baba Iqbal Singh Ji, President, The Kalgidhar Trust.

The exposition started with a poetic introduction on the theme by young literati S. Kiranjit Singh of The Sikh Heritage. He elaborated on the universal message of Guru Nanak and the need to start working on this path by truthful living. He then called upon S. Saranjit Singh, IAS (Retd.) of The Sikh Forum to introduce Baba Iqbal Singh and The Kalgidhar Trust to the audience. S. Saranjit Singh recalled his days in the Agriculture Ministry and his acquaintance with Baba Iqbal Singh from those days. He professed his fascination for the selfless and magnanimous work done by him to spread value based education in remote rural parts of North India with excellent results. He expressed his admiration for the organisation’s dynamic approach to confront the root cause of the social deterioration in Punjab and rural North India and appealed to the citizens of Kolkata to wholeheartedly support this movement initiated by Kalgidhar Trust.

Then students from Akal Academy presented a musical symphony with ancient string instruments – Tanti Saaz. The audience was spellbound with the breathtaking performance of the young students who then presented a Shabad in Puratan Raag. The audience was requested to stand up and cover their heads in reverence to Guru Ji’s Shabad. Tears were rolling down the cheeks of most as the divine, soulful, stirring and heart-touching Shabad was rendered by the mystically absorbed students.

Next, a powerpoint presentation titled – “Baru Sahib - The Road Map” was shown to the gathering which was amazed to see the detailed statistics and the vast magnitude of work done by the Kalgidhar Trust. The present and the future projects of Baru Sahib were statistically unlaid in front of the audience. Most of the audience realized that their information about Baru Sahib was incomplete and many expressed the desire to know more in detail, overwhelmed by the figures. It was heartening to see the global citizens from Akal Academy in top echelons of the society as shown in the presentation.

A documentary – “Elahi Shanti di Ghati” was shown after the Shabad and the experience of a virtual tour of Baru Sahib was created through this artful film. Then Baba Iqbal Singh Ji enlightened the audience with his Sadh Bachan. Babaji exhorted all to “look at Sikhi in totality without the regional mindset. Sikhism is a spiritual way of life and should not be looked upon as a mere religion” He further added “The vision of setting up of 150 new schools and the Eternal University is the whole community’s project and it would require the understanding and support of all”. He beseeched the Sangat of Kolkata to give shoulder to the Akal Education Fund so that Guru Nanak’s mission could be furthered. “The prospects of providing value based education and employment to the rural youth is the only solution to the social deterioration being witnessed all around” - Babaji said. He also extended an open invitation to the Sangat to come and witness the spectacle of blooming Sikhi at Baru Sahib.

Next, Dr Himadri Banerjee, Head – Guru Nanak Chair at Kolkata University shared his feelings with the audience saying ”in the past 30 years of my association with Sikhism, this is the rare organisation that I have come across today whose mission extends beyond the Gurdwara. I myself wish to support and plead with all to support the Kalgidhar Trust in its noble endeavour”.

Olympian Hockey gold medallist S. Gurbux Singh presented a vote of thanks which turned emotional for him saying “I had the honour of visiting Baru Sahib recently and I am totally overwhelmed and encompassed not only by the sheer magnitude of work but the encouraging results being generated by The Kalgidhar Trust. I wish to take my family there in the coming times and would request all of us to take a Jatha to this Valley of Divine Peace”. He requested Babaji to bless all with his divine guidance and regularly visit Kolkata to enable the Sangat to take inspiration from his presence.

The exposition ended on an emotional note with Sangat swarming Baba Iqbal Singh Ji for a close interaction, thanking him for this exposure and requesting more frequent visits by Jatha of Akal Academy and himself.