Sri Sri Academy, Alipore, Kolkata

Only an education that nourishes inherent virtues can impart true intelligence. Today, it is the concern of all parents that their children should grow up to be happy, well-educated human beings with core values. Somewhere along the line, however, the link to true happiness appears to be getting severed; we are losing the goal of happiness. How that goal can be regained is revealed in His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar’s words: “Basic human values need to be encouraged in the classroom. A child is born with these values and a teacher needs to uncover them. What are these human values? Compassion, co-operation, friendliness, smiles, laughter, lightness, wanting to help, a sense of belonging and caring for each other. The need of the day is a broad-minded education accompanied by a warm heart.”A well-educated person is thus one who is friendly, compassionate, and able to be a ‘nobody’ with everybody. The creative methods of teaching as envisioned by our Founder will help children to more fully develop their personalities. Everybody who has a stake in education must ponder the need for a holistic, healthy educational system that will enhance the values and virtues with which each of us is naturally endowed. Put simply, education must address all aspects of human life. Since a healthy body best supports a sound mind and spirit, creative sports and such ancient practises as meditation, yoga and pranayam should be part of a child’s learning process. The key is to harness the ancient values and be innovative with the modern. This is what we at Sri Sri Academy commit towards achieving for our students.