Sri Sri Academy (SSA) , 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.