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Akal Security
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It's just what the Guru ordered-to protect others life and
property from the perpetrators of violence. And fulfilling the
Khalsa's mandate are none other than two American turned Sikhs, Daya
Singh Khalsa and Gurutej Singh Khalsa, founders of Akal Security,Inc.
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The Sikh run organisation, is the fourth largest private security
agency of the world providing security to vital US military
installations across eight states, to federal court houses with
contracts for 400 houses worth US $ 854 Million in forty-four states
including the federal court house in Manhattan and to Department of
Homeland Security besides providing a secure environment to private and the
corporate world, airports, and municipal water supply departments. On
behalf of Federal Protective Service it provides security to 150
federal buildings and
offices in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana.
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Akal meaning 'timeless' in Sikh scriptures has business orders
worth over US $1billion and employs approximately 15, 000 people. Based in
New Mexico State in the US, the company has its headquarters in the
small village of Santa Cruz, just south of Espanola.
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Followers of the 'Sikh Dharma' founded by the late Harbhajan Singh
Yogi Daya Singh Khalsa and Gurutej Singh Khalsa converted as Sikhs during
their university years.
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"When we founded Akal Security, Inc in 1980, Siri Singh Sahib Yogiji
was our main inspiration and he gave us very valuable advice. It was
his suggestion that our basic uniform be khaki. We added the blue
highlights in recognition of Guru Gobind Singh though the word Akal is
inspiredfrom Guru Hargobind, the Sixth guru", said Gurutej Singh co-founder . "As we
have grown, however, a need for uniforms of other colour configurations has
developed, depending on the specifications of certain contracts," he said.
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"When we founded Akal Security, Inc in 1980, Siri Singh Sahib Yogiji
was our main inspiration and he gave us very valuable advice. It was
his suggestion that our basic uniform be khaki. We added the blue
highlights in recognition of Guru Gobind Singh though the word Akal is
inspiredfrom Guru Hargobind, the Sixth guru", said Gurutej Singh co-founder . "As we
have grown, however, a need for uniforms of other colour configurations has
developed, depending on the specifications of certain contracts," he said.
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Speaking to TNN from US, Gurutej Singh, Co Founder/Senior VP said that
while forming the company they wanted to pick a name that was
reflective of their Sikh heritage. "The name 'Akal' we felt, would protect our personnel
in the field and we are happy to report that in 25 years we have never
lost an officer in the line of duty as the Guru's blessings are with
us".
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"Our Sikh demeanour stands out wherever we go", says Daya Singh Khalsa
Vice President and the Co-founder who always supports a white turban.
"Nobody forgets us after we've made our presentations, while the other
guy might be forgotten immediately, he adds. It is not to suggest that
we are at an advantage or disadvantage, as the work we get is because
of our professionalism in the field, he quips.
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While majority of our personnel in the field are non Sikh, the
awareness of Akal as a Sikh-owned company has added value to the
integrity of Sikhs in the role of protecting our Homeland, especially
post 9/11, says Gurutej Singh.
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With the Akal flag fluttering high in the US, Mission Khalsa is truly
on a roll.
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By:Khushwant Ahluwalia
Senior Correspondent Sikhpoint.com
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