Hailing from the quaint town of Sri Muktsar Sahib, Raman Ladoo’s educational journey has been nothing short of a remarkable transformation. Her story is a testament to the blessings of Baba Iqbal Singh Ji, which played a pivotal role in shaping her into the independent woman she is today.

Born into a family with a single homemaker mother and two brothers, Raman faced early financial challenges. Nonetheless, her family’s determination ensured she completed her +2 education in her hometown. However, it was through AIRWE that her path to higher education and a brighter future truly began.

After graduating from the 12th grade, Raman relocated to Baru Sahib in 2009 and joined the AIRWE program. There, she embarked on the Elementary Teacher Training program by Cambridge University, a collaboration between the Helga Todd Foundation and Akal Academy. This paved the way for her to become a 5th-grade homeroom teacher at Akal Academy Baru Sahib, following the IB curriculum. Raman’s educational journey didn’t stop there; she went on to earn her degree and B.Ed. from Punjab University, Chandigarh.

In 2017, after her marriage, Raman was transferred to Akal Academy Sowaddi Kalan, near Ludhiana, where she assumed the role of a primary coordinator and started earning a respectable salary. She takes pride in the fact that, despite facing challenges that led some of her peers to return home, she persevered, creating her own identity along the way. Her journey transformed her into a confident individual who can fluently converse in English with others.

Raman Ladoo expresses heartfelt gratitude to the institution for helping her turn her dreams into reality.

Kamaljeet Kaur, originally from the Bijnor district in Uttar Pradesh, began her educational journey up to the 8th grade. Born into a family where her father worked as a farmer and her mother was a homemaker, Kamaljeet was determined to attain a high-quality education. Her introduction to the AIRWE program came through her sister, who was already enrolled. Kamaljeet was particularly captivated by the recitations of the Gurbani path and the distinctive attire worn by young women at Baru Sahib.

It was during her time at Baru Sahib that Kamaljeet discovered her passion for music. The program opened up a world of possibilities for her. She enrolled in the AIRWE program, pursuing her 10th and 12th-grade education, as well as a B.A. and M.A. in Music. She firmly believes that no other institution could have provided her with such high standards of music education. She attributes her growth and musical prowess to Baba Ji, who arranged for renowned ustaads to teach at the academy. AIRWE offered her exceptional faculty and opportunities to receive training in various musical instruments.

Today, Kamaljeet is a music teacher at Baru Sahib’s music college, earning an attractive monthly salary of Rs 35,000. She credits her current success and achievements to the academy and the blessings of Baba Ji.

Gurpreet Kaur’s journey to Baru Sahib has been nothing short of life-changing. Raised in Amritsar, she completed her 12th-grade education there. Her father, employed at a cloth mill, and her homemaker mother, were steadfast in supporting her education. Upon learning about AIRWE through a community member, she wasted no time in deciding to join.

Fortunate to be among the 40 women selected for AIRWE’s Elementary Teacher Training program at Cheema Sahib, Gurpreet completed the course and was promptly appointed as a teacher at IB, Baru Sahib, where she began to build her independent life. Simultaneously, she pursued a Bachelor of Arts at Guru Nanak University and B. Ed. at Akal University.

Gurpreet deeply values the teaching methodology and lifestyle at the academy. Embracing a routine that commences with an early-morning Gurbani recital and progresses to dedicated learning has instilled discipline and organization in her life. Presently, she serves as a General Teacher for grades 4-7 at Akal Academy, Vachhoa, teaching subjects like Social Studies and English, earning a respectable salary. As a teacher at the academy, she firmly believes that the nurturing environment here equips students to lead smoother and more fulfilling lives. She expresses heartfelt gratitude to Baba Ji and the academy’s faculty for their role in her personal growth.

Veerpal Kaur, originally from Moga, Punjab, was raised in an average middle-class family with three sisters and a brother. In 2009, after finishing her 12th-grade education, she initially planned to enroll in a computer course. However, her father discovered an Akal Academy in their hometown.

At her father’s insistence, Veerpal reluctantly took the Akal Academy ETT course entrance exam and passed. The following four years in the teacher training program at Baru Sahib transformed her personality, career, and life. She acquired basic English language skills, imbibed Sikh values, and learned teaching methods during her time at Cheema Sahib. Veerpal was also selected for Helga Todd Training, affiliated with Cambridge University, where she honed her English speaking, writing, and listening skills.

In 2013, Veerpal became an Assistant Teacher- IB at Akal Academy, Baru Sahib. Over the years, she excelled through various English and special education workshops and was promoted to Homeroom Teacher- IB by 2015, taking on additional responsibilities as a class in-charge and class coordinator for class 1. She also managed to complete her B.A. in Arts and M.A. in English from Panjab University.Despite personal tragedy in 2020, she found strength with the support of the Academy. She eventually became the coordinator of KG and began teaching English to higher classes at a nearby Akal Academy, with unwavering support from the staff.

Veerpal acknowledges that Akal Academy has become her true family, shaping her into the person she is today. She is deeply grateful and committed to contributing her best to the academy. Starting with an initial salary of Rs 7,000, she now earns Rs 22,000, supporting both her own and her family’s needs.

Manpreet Kaur, born in 1990 into a middle-class family, spent her early years in a small village in Mansa district, under the care of her late father, Mr. Harbans Singh, and mother, Mrs. Gurjeet Kaur. She began her educational journey at the village Government High School and harbored a strong desire for higher education, ultimately achieving her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Patiala. However, her life took a significant turn when she embarked on a journey to Baru Sahib, Himachal Pradesh, to undergo Elementary Teachers Training.

This marked her introduction to the teachings of Baba Iqbal Singh Ji and his philosophical ideals. At Baru Sahib, she not only received spiritual guidance but also acquired the necessary training to become an elementary school teacher. After successfully completing her training, she was assigned to Akal Academy, where she not only continued to develop as an educator but also honed her administrative skills under the guidance of The Kalgidhar Trust and its management.

Manpreet considers herself fortunate to have been a part of this institution, where she not only put her skills to good use but also continued to learn and grow. Over the years, she has contributed to numerous academies under The Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib, as a dedicated teacher. Her proudest achievement came in 2016 when she was promoted to the role of a principal, a significant milestone in her life that she attributes to the invaluable support and training provided by AIRWE.

Gurjeet Kaur, hailing from the small town of Batala in Gurdaspur, has been a dedicated student of the AIRWE project under The Kalgidhar Trust. Her journey began in 1995 when she witnessed Akal Academy students performing Dhadi Waaran and Shabad Kirtan on stage, leaving a profound impact on her. During her 3rd-grade studies at a government school in UP, she had the privilege of meeting Baba Iqbal Singh Ji, whose words inspired her to pursue both formal and spiritual education at Baru Sahib. However, it wasn’t until the year 2000 that she could actually join Baru Sahib for senior school.

Her father, a farmer, and her mother faced financial challenges, but their determination led to Gurjeet’s enrollment at Baru Sahib. During her time there, she completed a one-year foundation course that included Punjabi, English, and Gurbani Santhya. She went on to achieve her matriculation, senior secondary education, a senior diploma in music, and several spiritual diplomas under the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. Guided by Baba Iqbal Singh Ji, she also completed basic computer and typing courses in Patiala. Her educational journey continued with a BA Honours in music from Eternal University Baru Sahib. Since 2003, she has been teaching and organizing Akal International youth camps in collaboration with other team members. She has made significant contributions to the live telecast programs of many popular channels and has been instructing music and divinity to students of AIRWE, Akal Academy, and Akal College of Divine Music.

Currently, Gurjeet holds the position of Music Teacher and Assistant Head of the Music department at Akal Academy. Her decision to join the AIRWE project was driven by her deep love and respect for her Gurus. Through this course, she has experienced emotional, moral, and intellectual growth, achieving holistic development and spiritual enrichment in her life.