Dear Editor,
It is with great joy that we announce the grand opening of the Guyana Chapter of Maharshi Dayananda Gurukula, otherwise called the Rishi Dayananda Institute of Vedic Studies. This Guyana Chapter is associated with its New York-based headquarters called by the same name.
The name ‘Gurukula’ literally means ‘the family of the Guru’ and as a teaching institution, it has had a long and distinguished history in India. Indian historians have described Gurukula as the medium of instruction for youngsters in India since ancient times. In Gurukula education, one qualified teacher provides individualized instruction to a small class of students to better facilitate the learning process.
Accomplished scholars in multiple branches of learning have been schooled, graduated and even lectured in this institution. For centuries, branches of Gurukula have successfully functioned in principal regions of India impacting quality education. The ancient Nalanda and Taxila Universities and the modern Gurukula Kangri University in Haridwar are examples of traditional Gurukula institutions. There are references in books of Sanskrit literature that point to the contribution of Gurukula Acharyas (teachers) nurturing their scholarly students with the expectation that they would re-teach and positively influence the level of thinking among current and later generations. Both spiritual and physical sciences were always integrated into Gurukula curriculum and the intent of Gurukula Acharyas was to ultimately lead mankind to spiritual, social and economic freedom. The perception among parents also was that Gurukula would create cadres of students who would help instill refined values in the next generation so that family and society could continue surviving on strong foundations. It is no wonder, therefore, that Acharyas saw the need to preserve the idea of Gurukula for later generations to follow and pass on, and so, we see many sections in the Atharva Veda and books called Sutras focussing on discipline codes for both teachers and students.
The expectation for the Guyana Gurukula is that we too would seek to implement a curriculum that would create a new generation of youngsters in our country who would one day have their own families. A simple study will show that, to an extent, our society has unfortunately started to malfunction. Drugs, alcohol, domestic violence, broken homes, school drop-outs, suicide etc. tell a sad story. It is important for us to understand that something is radically wrong. As someone who has travelled for years and addressed gatherings all over Guyana, I strongly feel that if we re-examine our education system with an intent to reform it, we might find some impactful solutions.
I strongly believe that Rishi Dayananda Saraswati has provided some valuable ideas focused on education for youngsters in his classic work, the Satyarth Prakash. Some of these ideas have been implemented by the Arya Samaj in its many Gurukulas established in India. I would like to see some of these ideas implemented in the Guyana Gurukula.
The construction of the Guyana Gurukula campus is almost complete at Ocean View Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara. The inauguration ceremonies are scheduled for December 14 to 18, 2022.
Each day, we have Havan at 7:30 AM, a Holistic Health seminar at 11:00 AM and Yajna lectures at 6:30 P:M. People from many countries are expected to be in attendance.
His Excellency, the President of Guyana, is scheduled to deliver the inaugural address on Sunday, December 18 at 9 AM.
Sincerely,
Satish Prakash, PhD
Founder Acharya
