ÿþ<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>KH&#256LS&#256 PRACH&#256RAK VIDY&#256L&#256 TARN T&#256RAN</TITLE> <style type="text/css"> .BODY { background-color: #EAF1F7; background-image: url('images/gtbh.jpg'); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: center; color: #0066CC;} .C1{text-align: justify;color: #0066CC;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;} .BIB{text-align: center;color: #000099;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;} .CONT{text-align: right;color: #FF0000;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;} </style><META http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"></HEAD> <BODY class="BODY" oncontextmenu="return false" ondragstart="return false" onselectstart="return false"> <FONT ALIGN="JUSTIFY" FACE="Tahoma"> <p class="C1">&#65279<u>KH</u>&#256LS&#256 PRACH&#256RAK VIDY&#256L&#256, TARN T&#256RAN, an institution established in 1906 by the <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 D&#299w&#257n M&#257jh&#257. From its inception in 1904, the setting up of centres in the rural areas to conduct worship services and reform programmes among villagers had constituted a vital part of the D&#299w&#257n's mission. The new organizational structure in turn required preparation of specialists who, well versed in Sikh theology, history and <i>k&#299rtan</i>, could meet the needs of the masses. Following lengthy discussions and detailed planning, a committee comprising Sard&#257r Sant Si&#7749gh of Ras&#363lpur, Ris&#257ld&#257r Basant Si&#7749gh of Naushahr&#257 Pann&#363&#257&#7749, Bh&#257&#299 Nih&#257l Si&#7749gh of Kairo&#7749, B&#257b&#257 Di&#257l Si&#7749gh of Kairo&#7749, Bh&#257&#299 &#298shar Si&#7749gh of &#7692ho&#7789&#299&#257&#7749, and Bh&#257&#299 Mohan Si&#7749gh Vaid of Tarn T&#257ran, was formed to establish a school, the <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 Prach&#257rak Vidy&#257l&#257, at Tarn T&#257ran, to train Sikh preachers.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Vidy&#257l&#257 opened on 6 November 1906 and began instruction of young men in Bu&#7749g&#257 Baho&#7771&#363 attached to Sr&#299 Darb&#257r S&#257hib, Tarn T&#257ran. Although members of the advisory committee gave considerable part of their time to administering the institution and raising funds for it, Bh&#257&#299 &#298shar Si&#7749gh devoted his lifetime to it and became its headmaster and manager. Bh&#257&#299 Mohan Si&#7749gh Vaid was the secretary and honorary lecturer in medicine. The curriculum included a two year course on Sikh religion, comparative study of religious history of the Punjab and Sikhs, elementary knowledge of medicine (<i>hikmat</i>), Braj Bh&#257sh&#257, <i>kath&#257</i> or exposition of the Sikh texts, and <i>k&#299rtan</i> or recitation with music. <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 D&#299w&#257n M&#257jh&#257 also moved its headquarters from Kairo&#7749 to Tarn T&#257ran early in 1907 and the school came under its direct supervision. A year later, the D&#299w&#257n amalgamated itself with the Chief <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 D&#299w&#257n, and the Vidy&#257l&#257 became part of the network of educational institutions that was developing in the Punjab under the aegis of the central body.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The expanding role of the Vidy&#257l&#257 in Sikh affairs soon necessitated purchase of separate facilities for training students. Land was secured at the present site, on the outskirts of Tarn T&#257ran, and then a sustained effort was made to secure funds for the construction of a suitable building. The Chief <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 D&#299w&#257n generated some funds, as did special appeals at annual sessions of the Sikh Educational Conference. The bulk of the building costs, however, came from local donations and especially those collected by Master &#298shar Si&#7749gh on numerous trips through South East Asia.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The <i>r&#257g&#299s</i> and <i>prach&#257raks</i> trained in the Vidy&#257l&#257 soon earned respect for themselves and for their alma mater, as evidenced by the incessant pressure on the school to provide touring groups for virtually every religious occasion.</p> <p class="C1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; During the last century or so the Vidy&#257l&#257 has continued to expand and to incorporate new programmes. Classes for Gi&#257n&#299 and Budh&#299m&#257n examinations have been added to the old curriculum. Free lodging is given to young Sikhs studying to become <i>r&#257g&#299s</i> and <i>granth&#299s</i>. In 1973, the Sr&#299 Gur&#363 Har Krishan Public School became part of the institution, thus combining religious education with preparation of the Sikh youth for many aspects of modern life. A local committee manages the two institutions under the auspices of the Chief <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257 D&#299w&#257n.</p> </ol><p class="CONT">Jagj&#299t Si&#7749gh <br></p><BR> </font><img src="counter.aspx" width="1px" height="1px" alt=""></HTML></BODY>