As per the ancient Indian culture, “education” involved wholesome intellectual training in addition to laying a moral foundation towards enabling an individual to realise his innate strength. Today’s India needs an Education system through which character is formed to develop strength of the mind and expand the intellect along with manifesting divinity. Shanthidhama Trust was established to impart
this very kind of education to the masses in a non-commercial environment. Shanthidhama Trust, operating from Koteshwara village of Udupi District in Karnataka, India, believes in the three supreme principles – Annadaana(Free food) , Vidyadaana(Free education) and Aarogyadaana(free medicine). Shanthidhama’s Poorva Gurukulam, commenced operations in 2000, provides informal free education for children in the age group of 5 to 9 years. Poorva Gurukulam strives to inculcate the traditional and cultural heritage of ancient Indian values along with contemporary education in a humble attempt to reform the education system. The concept of instilling Indian culture into contemporary curriculum is in stark contrast to the prevailing Macaulay system. The curriculum, teaching methodology and educational concepts of Poorva Gurukulam are being modeled and guided by the visionary educationists of Hindu Seva Prathistana, Bangalore viz., Late Dr. Upendra Shenoy, Late Dr. Bharathi Ramana Acharya, Dr. Ramachandra Bhat Kotemane and other visionaries with vast knowledge of Indian culture and in depth innovative studies of Hindu family and Gurukulam concept. The students are taught the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, Bhagavadh Gita, Upanishads and Yoga apart from the normal curriculum. Nutritious vegetarian mid-day meal is also provided to all the students. Presently, more than 130 children are undergoing value based education at the Gurukulam up to Standard 8th, with plans to upgrade the school up to 10th Standard. The concepts, methods and characteristics of Gurukulam are evident in the day to day operations of the school. The students are enrolled on a first come first serve basis irrespective of the caste, creed, religion and economic standing in the society. The only criterion for enrolment into Gurukulam is that the parents should have full faith and belief in this non-contemporary method of teaching. The Trust took a major step towards the expansion of Poorva Gurukulam by acquiring a land of four acres to include spacious classrooms, meeting hall, prayer hall, kitchen and dining hall. The overall estimated cost of the project is around two crores. The first phase of construction for the new premises was completed in February 2001 at a cost of around Rs. 50 lakhs, which included 8000 sq.ft. of constructed area. The Trust has further expanded its footprint to include 8th Standard and has obtained formal approval of the Department of Education from the Government of Karnataka.
