July 2026
Day 12 | Real-Life Humility – Lessons from the Lives of the Great The Story of Bhagat Puran Singh, The Saint of Pingalwara Charitable Society
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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.
Remembering the visionary, revered Sant Baba Iqbal Singh Ji on his 4th Barsi.
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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.
Antim Ardas & Akhand Paath Sahib in Revered Memory of Sant Baba Iqbal Singh Ji
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At 12:30 a.m., under the quiet sky of Baru Sahib, the sacred Akhand Paath Sahib was completed at Gurdwara Angitha Sahib, Sant Baba Iqbal Singh Ji — in the loving memory of a soul who lived only to serve humanity.
As the final shabad was recited, every word felt like a blessing… every moment felt heavy with remembrance and gratitude.
Sant Baba Iqbal Singh Ji was not just a saint, but a guiding light for millions of rural children, a father figure to countless souls, and a living example of sewa, simplicity, and sacrifice.
Today, as we bowed our heads before Guru Sahib, we also bowed our hearts before Baba Ji’s life of purpose.
His body may have merged with the पंच तत्व, but his mission breathes on — in every school, every child, every village he transformed through education and values.
May Guru Sahib bless us with the strength to walk on the path Baba Ji showed us…
To serve selflessly.
To live humbly.
To dedicate our lives to the upliftment of others.
Sant Baba Iqbal Singh Ji —
You remain alive in our prayers, our work, and our hearts. 🙏
Day 10 | Humility in Leadership – The Strength (Contd.) Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela: Leadership through Service
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Historical Examples of Humble Leadership
1. Mother Teresa – Humility in Action
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Mother Teresa never led from a podium or held a position of political power, yet her impact echoed across the world. With a heart devoted to the poorest of the poor, she built a legacy through service, not status.
She chose to live among the sick and destitute in the slums of Kolkata, offering dignity where there was none.
She never sought recognition, yet became a global symbol of compassion.
Her mission was simple: love one person at a time, quietly and selflessly.
Despite global fame, awards and even a Nobel Peace Prize, she remained grounded in her purpose: to serve. Mother Teresa proved that leadership isn’t about commanding attention, it’s about giving it to those the world forgets.
2. Nelson Mandela – Humility After Power
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After becoming President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, a man who had endured 27 years in prison, chose reconciliation over revenge and humility over authority. One of the most powerful examples of his leadership came from a simple, everyday act.
Mandela made it a practice to personally serve tea to his staff during meetings, reminding everyone that leadership was about service, not status. Despite holding the highest office in the country, he listened more than he spoke, acknowledged his own limitations and consistently credited his people for the nation’s progress.
Rather than ruling through fear or ego, Mandela led with dignity, forgiveness and humility, uniting a deeply divided nation and leaving behind a legacy far greater than power itself.
Day 9 | Humility in Leadership – The Strength. The Story of Abraham Lincoln and Satya Nadella.
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Leadership is often associated with power, control, and dominance. Yet, history and experience repeatedly show that the most impactful leaders are those who lead with humility. Whether in business, politics, or spiritual guidance, humility in leadership fosters trust, respect, and long-term success.
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In contrast, arrogance in leadership leads to corruption, short-sighted decisions, and disconnection from the people.
The Business Perspective: Why Humble Leaders Succeed
In the corporate world, leaders who embrace humility often build the most resilient, innovative, and successful organisations. Leaders of the masses such as Abraham Lincoln or modern CEOs like Satya Nadella, chose humility over ego, service over self-glorification and wisdom over pride.
Political and corporate leaders who practice humility demonstrate greater emotional intelligence, stronger decision-making, and deeper connection with the people they serve.
Abraham Lincoln – The President Who Listened
Lincoln, known as one of the greatest U.S. Presidents, was famous for:
Admitting his mistakes.
Listening to criticism rather than silencing it.
Humbling himself to the wisdom of his advisers, even those who disagreed with him.
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Abraham Lincoln's humility involves a letter he wrote to General George Meade during the Civil War. Lincoln was frustrated with Meade's performance and wrote a harsh letter expressing his irritation, but ultimately decided not to send it. He inscribed the unsent letter with the words "To Gen. Meade, never sent, or signed," demonstrating his self-control and humility by not letting personal feelings overshadow his leadership.
His ability to lead with humility helped him end slavery and unite a divided nation.
Satya Nadella – The Humble CEO of Microsoft
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When Satya Nadella took over as CEO of Microsoft in 2014, the company was struggling with internal competition, a rigid culture, and declining innovation. Instead of enforcing top-down control, Nadella focused on:
Listening – He encouraged employees to share ideas freely.
Empathy – He shifted Microsoft’s culture from a "know-it-all" mindset to a "learn-it-all" approach.
Teamwork – He removed the internal rivalry that had held the company back.
He suggests that a student who is willing to learn, even if they have less innate ability, will ultimately do better than a student who already knows a lot but is unwilling to learn. He believes that the willingness to learn and embrace challenges is more valuable than possessing innate talent alone.
The Result? Microsoft became one of the most valuable companies in the world, regaining its reputation for innovation.
A century of purpose, Four decades of Change: Living the vision of Sant Baba Iqbal Singh Ji!
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Under the divine guidance of Revered Saint Hon’ble Baba Iqbal Singh Ji, Akal Academy Baru Sahib, in collaboration with Eternal University and hosted by Akal University Talawandi Sabo, presents the 10th International Education Conference & Professional Development Workshop at Talwandi Sabo.
📅 27 Jan – 1 Feb | SEL Refresher Workshop
📅 2–3 Feb | Principals’ AI Awareness Workshop
For educators from 130 Akal Academies across North India.
AI personalizes what students learn.
SEL personalizes why they learn.
Led by Dr. Juss Kaur Magon, International Education Consultant & Educational Psychologist.
Shaping mindful leaders.
Nurturing compassionate learners.