PROPOSED ‘SHANDILYA UNIVERSITY’
AND
The map of Proposed Shandilya University and its project
(posted by respected Barun
Chakraborty dada in “Satsang eforum group” of Facebook)
With his known environment leading to a progressive, meaningful and widening
existence through doing and discerning Thakur puts forth a radical, pragmatic
global and electric concept of education. It postulates a concentric expression
from the individuals to the collective the society, the creation and the world
at large. But the individual does not appear in the scene out of nothing. The beginning
has also a beginning. Though the process of education is supposed to start from
the very embryonic stage of human existence, Thakur emphasizes ‘marriage’ as
the virtual starting point. We nurture a tree with all care, providing water,
manure, food and all that to get a desirable fruit, but the seed is of inferior
kind, all our efforts made in terms of man, money and material are reduced to
disappointment. Thakur’s educational ideal was, indeed, of the rare type. He
considered emancipation of mankind to be the real aim of education. In one of
his thousands of messages, he fervently observed; “A true university must bedew
its students with love, hope and charity, and turn them into the valley of
heavenly homage to make them men of talented glory surrendered at the feet of
Heaven. The true spirit of universal human uplift enshrined in the above
message of Thakur clearly envisages his inspiring educational ideal, which
easily reminds us of the lofty educational ideas of our ancient Indian
universities of Nalanda, Taxila, Ujjaine and Vikramshila. With a view to
implementing his rare educational ideal of all round evolution of mankind,
Thakur urgently desired that an ideal educational centre of higher learning, to
be named as the Shandilya University, should be established at Deoghar, in the
future. He confidently hoped that the Shandilya University, when fully
established, would certainly revive the past glories of Nalanda and other
ancient Indian Universities. The proposed Shandilya University is to serve as
the nucleus for reorientation in the filed of education and its primary aim is
to produce practical and efficient men of wisdom and character. It seeks to
achieve a synthesis between the ancient Indian traditions of education with
modern scientific development. That is, academic programme seeks to fulfill the
saintly goals of Nalanda and Taxila with the modern technological and
scientific advancement of learning represented by Trombey and Tarapore. Thakur
has emphasized that “Education is to know existence in constant contrast to
environment by doing and discerning”. Again “Education is to edit the
experience and knowledge that nurture our existence with every progressive
push”.
site map of proposed university
The main stress is laid on the teacher-student ratio proposed to be maintained
as one for every six student in all faculties of the University. This
teacher-student close relationship is necessary so that maximum individual
attention may be paid to each student who may evolve to his maximum through his
distinctive traits and tendencies and bring into living focus all his
faculties’ physical, mental, moral and spiritual. Beneath the broad curriculum
rests the belief that a student can purposefully unfold and integrate his
manifold potentialities only if he has a meaningful understanding of his own
culture and tradition. This kind of ideal teacher-student relationship can lead
a nation to prosperity and glory. In order to inculcate spontaneous discipline,
love and reverence among the students from their teachers, superiors, usual hostels
will be eliminated. Each teacher’s home will be the home for six students
living as members of the teacher’s family. The teachers will not be inspiring
factor in the art of living, so that each student may emerge as an evolved
personality in harmony with the Ideal and environment. This harmony
characterized by healthy growth and mutual co-operation will be the guiding
factor in the university campus and will also radiate thousands of miles
outside. Of course, this university will be an island in the ocean of chaos
anarchy outside and it can transform its students so wherever they go, they
will radiate their own magnetic-influence and divine glow and create better and
healthy atmosphere in this trouble-ridden world. This university will set an
ideal example of love, charity, compassion, reverence and active services
through practical training in the field of education. The education of women is
of prime importance in the country at present. It is a matter of great concern,
however, that proper arrangements for female education, akin to their womanly
traits and aptitudes, have not been introduced in the existing pattern of
co-education in the universities. Hence, we are trying to make separate
arrangements for the female education which will fulfill their basic instincts,
aptitudes and psycho-physical needs. It is also to be noted in this connection
that women had acquired proficiency in different branches of learning in
ancient India though co-education was not prevalent in the universities like
Nalanda, Taxila and Vikramshila. Even at our earlier date in the Indian history
lady teachers used to impart education to the female students separately.
Hence, we may introduce separate system of female education on the pattern of
our national heritage in this university. Another important fact of this
university is the great stress that has been laid on practical training in
various arts, crafts and technical skills to be imparted to every student of
this university. While learning, the students may receive practical training in
one skill or the other so that they might earn while they learn. Laboratories
here will not only be demonstration centres, but also production centres. This
will help them in maintaining themselves and their teachers and will further
promote self-confidence, wisdom and efficiency to work independently when they
come out of the university. This will enable the students of this university to
be least concerned about getting a job and employment after finishing their
university career. This will give them an opportunity of proving their
practical worth and utility to the society and will definitely solve the
problem of unemployment which is an issue of gravest concern for the young men
at present. The report of the education commission supports our view fully. The
link between education and productivity can be forged through the
implementation of the following programmes which should receive high priority
in the plans of educational re-construction:-
1. Science as basic component of education and culture.
2. Work experience as an integral part of general education.
3. Vocationalisation of education, to meet the needs of Industry, Agriculture
and Trade.
4. Improvement of scientific and technological education and research at the
university stage with special emphasis on agriculture and allied sciences.
As another programme to relate education to life and productivity. Thakur has
recommended that work experience should be introduced as an integral part of
all education – general or vocational. In his opinion all good and purposeful
education should consist of at least four basic elements.
i) A study of languages, humanities and social science.
ii) A study of mathematics and natural sciences.
iii) Work-experiences and
iv) Social service.
In the present educational system, most of the time is consumed with the first,
although even in this limited sphere the attainments are not appreciable. The
second as, indicated above, is still quite weak and needs a great deal of
emphasis. But third and fourth have been almost totally absent till recently
and need to be high-lighted, the former mainly for relating education to
productivity, and the latter as a means of social and national integration.
Work-experience is thus a method of integrating education with the activities
of life. This is not only possible but essential in modern studies which adopt
science-based technologies. The fundamental characteristic of a good university
is the combination of research with teaching. This university is primarily
interested in conducting research up to the highest standard in all its
faculties. Hence it will invite the spirit of original research in the minds of
the students from the beginning of their career and will provide all sorts of
facilities for the same. Special care will be taken to avoid language
controversies and students will be given full scope to read their own regional
language, the national language and a foreign language of their choice. Great
importance would be attached to learning of Sanskrit and other oriental
languages. In this connection it will not be out of place to mention that in
this university all important Indian, Asian and European languages will be
taught up to the highest standard. It is heartening to note that under the
divine guidance of Sri Sri Thakur, several thousand academically qualified and
practically trained men are dedicated to the goal and purpose of Shandilya
University. They likely to become Ideal-Centric teachers of this university
imbued with the feeling of love, compassion, service and sacrifice. Besides
this, eminent scholars from different parts of the world will be invited to
teach in various faculties. This will solve the complex problem of getting
good, adjusted and ideal teachers, the first requisite of any good institution.
This university aims at providing education, which deals with the whole of
man’s being and becoming to its students, at the minimum possible cost. In
order to remove the existing commercial relationship between the teacher and
students, the following means are being divided for meeting the expenses in
maintaining the teachers as well as the students:-
1. Majority of the teachers of this university, dedicated and devoted to the
noble cause of Satsang, infused with the growing senses of mutual service and
healthy co-operation.
2. The students will be allowed to make collection from the environment in
order that they might maintain their teachers with whom they live. In other
words, they will be allowed to be in touch with their immediate environment, to
serve lovingly and fulfill them, and then to accept unhesitatingly whatever
they get in return. This is in consonance with our ancient pattern of education
in which every student had to offer oblations to the teacher at his own
initiative.
3. They will be inspired to have work-experience, that is, to take up works in
different trade centres of the university to earn while they learn. This will
help them in discharging their duties towards their reverential teachers and
maintaining them to a great extent.
4. Voluntary contribution will be accepted from interested persons,
well-wishers and guardians of students so that the excessive financial burden
may not be imposed upon the students while they are studying.
Rooted in its own tradition and culture and maintaining the ideal atmosphere of
love, compassion, universal brother-hood and active service, this university
will characterize harmonious blend of useful elements of the educational system
of the west with those of our ancient cultural heritage.
FINANCE
Satsang envisages establishing all the faculties of the Shandilya University in
different phases at its own cost. The estimated cost involved in this project
is about 75 crores of rupees. Satsang, essentially a charitable and
philanthropic institution, hopes to collect this amount gradually from the
following resources:-
1. Our resources are the resources of Satsang and all men of good-will,
included in these are millions of adherent and sympathizers, amongst whom are
several thousands academically qualified and practically trained men dedicated
to the goal and purpose of Shandilya University.
2. Satsang started “Shandilya University Fund” in the past and a substantial
amount already to its credit.
3. A pledge has been taken by about ten lacs adherents of Sri Sri Thakur to
contribute at least one rupee per month towards the “Shandilya University Fund”
for recurring expenses of the university.
4. A fund raising programme has been initiated in the U.S.A. by members of
Satsang in that country through which funds for the construction of the
university and equipments for the scientific and the technological departments
will be provided.
5. Substantial amount are expected as donation from generous and interested
persons from all over India and abroad. The expanding groups of disciples of
Thakur in U.S.A., U.K., German Republic and France have accepted the
responsibility of collecting ample funds for the building constructions,
technical equipments and recurring expenditure of university.
It is interesting to mention here the visit of Shri K.B. Sahay the then Chief
Minister of Bihar to Satsang, Deoghar sometimes in the month of April1966 and
discourse with Sri Sri Thakur which will reveal the real wealth of Satsang. An
attempt has been made to reproduce the verbatim of the discussion between Sri
Sri Thakur Anukulchandra and Shri K.B. Sahay in the following paras to explain
the final of the proposed Shandilya University.
Shri K.B. Sahay – Thakur! You have established a great institution of Satsang
here. What is the Income and Expenditure of this institution?
Sri Sri Thakur- “Man is my income and Love is my expenditure.
Shri K.B. Sahay – Thakur! I have heard that the Satsang has a programme to
establish Shandilya University, said to be unique of this kind on the pattern
of ancient universities like Nalanda, Taxila at an estimated cost of seventy
five crores of rupees and also a project bring Ganges water to Darwa in Deoghar
by constructing canals linking the two rivers for which you want to give three
crores of rupees to the Govt. of Bihar for implementation of the scheme. May I
know what the bank balance of your institution is?
Sri Sri Thakur- My bank balance is ten lacs of people. Shri Sahay repeated his
query but the reply of Sri Sri Thakur was the same. At this Shri Sahay uttered
with disgust, Thakur! I don’t understand what you mean to say. Would you kindly
clarify?
Sri Sri Thakur explained – See, if I need one rupee from each of my adherents
will come to ten lacs, again if I require five rupees from each of them it will
come fifty lacs, and if I require rupees ten from each of them it will become
one crore but if I require my devotees and disciples to come with all they have
and stand by me they will do so gladly with out hesitation with immediacy,
meaning thereby they will dispose off all their belongings and offer the same
to me an will stand by me.
Shri K. B. Sahay was moved with tears in his eyes and raised further questions
in all humility; Thakur! I have heard that you require a minimum area of forty
five kilometers radius of barren waste land around Digaria Hills(located in
Jasidih) for the establishment of your proposed Shandilya University. I find
people hardly cover even a distance of one kilometer without much difficulty on
foot, how will it be possible for them to traverse such a unwildly distance?
Sri Sri Thakur replied, for these we shall have three ways of transport viz.
Railways, Roadways and Tramways. The transport system will have different
stoppages at convenient places and they will be named as station of Physics,
station of Chemistry, station of Mathematics and so on, so forth.
The name itself will justify the stoppages and even to lay man it would be easy
to locate. Lastly Shri Sahay put a pertinent question “I have heard that you do
not pay anything to your workers, still when they are entrusted with any job
they feel delighted to fulfill your desire and take up job with all sincerity
and fervour I do not understand how it is possible”.
Sri Sri Thakur said smilingly - “where service tones, silver comes as a tonic
in turn. Service rendered by them becomes a source of inspiration to the people
served and so in order to keep the source of inspiration alive they feel
blessed to offer money as a symbol of thanks”.
Shri K.B. Sahay’s feeling about Sri Sri Thakur was distinctly marked when he
was delivering his talks from Satsang platform. He burst out in sentiment, even
after growing old of about 64 years, Thakur’s face is glowing with childlike
simplicity and innocent smile which impressed me most that permits in this
surroundings.
LOCAL NECESSITY:
1. In this region of Santhal Parganas, comprising of several tribal districts,
there are a few institutions providing facilities for education only in arts
and science and that too up to Honors standard only in a few subjects. This
deprives the students of this backward area of the opportunity of education in
other faculties either general or technical. There is no scope for
post-graduate training and research, or studies in Law and Commerce.
2. In this area there is no Medical College and due to the absence of a
synthetic approach, the facility for research in various methods of treatment
other than allopathic is hardly to be seen.
3. India still continues to be essentially a land of villages and agricultural
and animal husbandry institutes should not be few and far between, in order
that the poor villagers may take advantage of the modern techniques. The
present food crisis demands that such education should be given to people in
the remote villages. Hence agricultural colleges and farm-centres are to be
given top priority here.
4. There is growing need of skilled workers in the developing industries of
this area which has now to be filled up from outside people. We further feel
that artisans, no less the engineers, should be able to start their own
enterprise independently after coming out from a technical institute. There is
lack of such kinds of institutions at least in this locality.
It is the fitness of things that Shandilya University is proposed to be located
at Deoghar, which, in addition to its being a health resort, is a seat of
ancient culture and place of pilgrimage where people from all over India visit
throughout the year.
TEACHING PATTERN:
The close teacher-student relationship in the university gives full opportunity
to the teacher to deal with each student in a manner suited to his instinctive
and psychological aptitudes. This presupposes the absence of any rigid formal
pattern of the system of education. The teacher of a subject will lay emphasis
on stimulating the student’s interests in their particular subjects. He will
goad and guide him in the manner he thinks fit so that the student achieves the
best efficiency in the subject concerned. A student, therefore, will have to be
under the guidance of so many teachers of different subjects concerned in order
that he might be equally proficient in all these. Further more; it will be
obligatory on the part of the teacher, under whose guidance the student is
living, to make him acquainted with the teacher of particular subject in which
he wants to have a specialized teaching. This will enable a student to be
proficient in each subject he takes up for study. Moreover, arrangements will
be made to provide to each student a systematic knowledge of various branches of
learning and their meaningful relation to each other.
EXAMINATION PATTERN
It will be the concern of the teachers of a particular subject to test a
student having the practical and applied use of the co-subjects in order to see
that a student has attained a thorough knowledge of the subject related with
other subjects. Only when he is satisfied of the satisfactory progress of the
student in the subject concerned he will satisfy him to have attained
proficiency in it. This will be the pattern of examination in each of the
subject taken up by the student in his courses of study. He will then be tested
by a board of Professors – which will include the teachers of the subjects
concerned – who will find out if the student has reached the standard of being
awarded the degree of the university or not. This will enable every student to
go through his syllabus thoroughly and with care and attention. This is a
direct safeguard against the lop-sided study of the syllabuses by students in
universities today. This will definitely help in elevating the standard of
efficiency and ability of the students reading in this university.
REAL EDUCATION AS ENUNCIATED BY:
Sri Sri Thakur Anukulchandra explains the real education in following words:-
“Education in its real form is to unfold the characteristic faculties that are
latent within by attachment to an Ideal embodied; and through the glimpses of
expressions, those which come forth as impulses from his experience during
periods of exposition – to follow with services, to learn with attention, to do
in accordance there with, in a word, to take those impulses in, with sense to
unfold and adjust.”(AP-IV)
He further defines a university in the following words:-
“WHERE VARIETIES ARRIVE WITH A MEANING AT UNITY IT IS UNIVERSITY”.
(Chapter-V from the book ‘The Social Philosophy of
Sri Sri Thakur Anukulchandra’ by Dr. R.K.Lal)
