In the English Education Act of 1835, Lord Macaulay launched a scathing attack on the native Hindu culture and learning. He debated that 'Western Learning' was superior and through the medium of English language, western knowledge should be imparted in the country. He further argued that there was an urgent need to produce, "a class of persons, Indian in blood and color but English in taste, in opinions, in morals and in intellect" who could in their turn develop the tools to transmit Western learning in the vernacular languages of India.
Unfortunately, Macaulay's education model was followed largely across the nation, first by the British regime and later by the Indian government. Post-globalization, the 'Macaulay's Model' still dominates and influences our philosophy of education. Today's education system is churning out a skilled labor force which is ready to cater to the market requirements but in reality, lacks capacities and caliber for innovation and invention. In the course of time, we have even lost the nexus with our rich ancient 'knowledge tradition' which was rooted in building characters and value value education.
300+ students, as a part of residential program are pursuing and cherishing the learning experience free of cost.
Students here are engrossed in mastering, 4 Vedas, 6 Shastras, 64 Kalas (Arts) and 14 Vidyas (Techniques) of ancient India.
Trained by around 50+ modern and traditional experts from across the country.
With exposition to Vyakran (Grammar) and Chchanda (Rhetoric), students here also master various linguistic skills.
Understanding this need to transform the existing educational context and establish the connection with the glorious Indian past, Siddhagiri Gurukulam was established in 2016 at Kaneri Math. Swamiji believes that goal of education is to seek and spread happiness. In this sense, he thinks that the educational journey should be sufficient unto itself. Earlier, in this country, the amalgam of over 7 lac villages and 16000 universities were relentlessly producing liberated minds that were ready to surpass the challenges of time.
The Gurukulam is first of its kind educational initiative in India where 300+ students, as a part of residential program are pursuing and cherishing the learning experience free of cost. Students here are engrossed in mastering, 4 Vedas, 6 Shastras, 64 Kalas (Arts) and 14 Vidyas (Techniques) of ancient India. Mastering them is all about the creation of cultured and liberated minds which is the need of the hour. About 200 students from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa and abroad apply for admission in the school. But 100 children between the ages of 7 and 10 are given free and residential admission per year. They are trained by around 50+ modern and traditional experts from across the country.
Besides, the Gurukulam also endeavors to imbibe the Indian values among the students by exposing them to the age-old tradition of barter trade, Indian sports, weaponry arts
(Lathi Kathi, Dandpatta, Dhanurvidya), Vedic mathematics, Yoga and Sanskrit language. With exposition to Vyakran (Grammar) and Chchanda (Rhetoric), students here also master various linguistic skills. Many of the students have won laurels in sports like horse riding at the state and national level. To make them walk the path of self-reliance, students here are also introduced to organic farming and made to toil to yield crops and also sell them in the adjacent markets.
Everyone who passes out from gurukul will become self-sufficient and will not reach out to anyone for subsistence. That passed out student will be skilled at Gopalak (Indigenous Cow nurturer and entrepreneur ), one thousand year lasting house building engineer, process entrepreneur, professional, sculptor, musician, cook, astrology (astronomy), meteorology, horse and bull riding, history, recitation (verses of Ayurveda), Shilpaveda, Dhanurveda, Gandharvaveda (Musian), martial arts, management , Natural Science, Vedic Mathematics, Beauty Parlor. The monastery administration is confident that he will be able to employ ten other folks. While teaching all this, importance will be given to Sanskrit, mother tongue, Ashram language, national language and finally English language.
2016
Year of Establishment
300+
Students pursuing the learning experience free of cost
Mastering
4 Vedas, 6 Shastras, 64 Arts and 14 Vidyas
50+
Modern and Traditional Experts
A day @ Gurukulam
As a student, being at Gurukulam is all about embracing life in its true essence and colors. As one roams around at Gurukulam, he will meet number of students who are engrossed in various activities such as, playing musical instruments, mastering weaponry arts, learning manifold techniques of wrestling, decoding mysteries of Vedic Mathematics, engaged in craftsmanship (Charmavidya (cobbler), Loharkam (ironsmith), Sutarkam (carpentry), etc. ) and so on. As a student, Yoga is an integral part of their lives. They are raised here not just as students but as responsible and self-reliant citizens. At an early age, they understand that they need to feed themselves and for the purpose they learn various techniques of organic farming. At Gurukulam, they become the carriers of the age-old legacy of Indian craftsmanship. Here they learn how to manufacture artifacts. They are involved in making and selling of shoes, pots and food products. These students from different economic and social backgrounds work with an aim of becoming successful entrepreneurs and not the regular jobseekers in the market. Through the Gurukulam, Siddhagiri Foundation aims to revive and strengthen the tradition of Gurukul where life itself was built on the pedestal of values and virtues.
