Understanding the Gurukula System - Insights and Importance

1. WELCOME TO ALLLET US UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT GURUKULA SYSTEM

2. GURUKULA SYSTEM By DR. S. NARAYANASAMY PROFESSOR DEPARTMENT OF GANDHIAN THOUGHT AND PEACE SCIENCE GANDHIGRAM RURAL INSTITUTE DEEMED UNIVERSITY GANDHIGRAM – 624 302 MOB: 09442212210 E-MAIL:ayyasangarnarayana@yahoo.co.ingriprofnaray@gmail.com

3. MAHATMA GANDHI AND GURUKULA “A Guru is one who guides us to righteousness by his own righteous conduct” – M.K. Gandhi • Gopalakrishna Gokhale – A political Guru of Mahatma Gandhi • Ramakrihna Paramahamsa – Spiritual guru to for Swami Vivekananda • Leo Tolstoy – Guru who taught bread labour • Kasturiba – wife was like a guru who enriched Satyagraha and removed fear.

4. MAHATMA GANDHI AND GOKHALE – GURU AND DISCIPLE • M.K. Gandhi received G.K. Gokhale at cape town, South Africa on 22nd October 1912. • Gokhale – A political Guru, made Gandhi feel completely at home. • He treated him like a younger brother. • Gandhi got all he needed from Gokhale being Guru • To see Gokhale at work was as much a joy as an education. • Gokhale never wasted a minute • His private relations and friendship were all for public good. • Gokhale used to say everyone, “You do the thing yourself. Let me do my own work”. What I want is freedom for my country.

5. UNIVERSITIES IN INDIA • According to University Grants Commission report dated 31st March 2010. • There 493 Universities in India • [42 central, 256 state, 60 state private, 130 Deemed - to - be Universities, 5 institutions established under state legislation] • More than 31,000 colleges in India. • 12th five year plan – drafting recommendations are getting ready. • 60% of the institutions in India have not come forward for accreditation by NAAC. – National Assessment and Accreditation Council • GRI – Gandhigram – Five star 2005 – Re-accredited with ‘A’ grade during 2010.

6. GRI HIGHER EDUCATION • Education means concentration as Swami Vivekananda said • By education, I mean drawing out the best from the body, mind and soul – M.K. Gandhi • Meditation helps for concentration • Reading makeith a man –Bacon said • Training makes a man – Nehru said • Writing makes a full man. • Reading, writing – a tool for meditation • GRI provides opportunity for reading, writing and training • Gurukula system supports for the entire process.

7. MESSAGE OF GRI GURUSALL FORMER VICE-CHANCELLORS • “Gandhigram is a child of Gandhian Revolution” -Dr. G. Ramachandran, Founder V.C, GRI • “Don’t be a part of problem; Be a part of solution”- Dr. M. Aram, Former V.C, GRI • “University is like a Universe” - Dr. Devendrakumar, Former V.C, GRI • “Working with village people is a pleasure. Best brains are available in Gandhigram” - D.K. Oza, Former V.C, GRI • “We are marching towards computer age. Perhaps, Internet may be your Guru” – T.R. Natesan, Former V.C, GRI

8. “Village is a laboratory. Extension work is the backbone of University” -Dr, N . Markandan, Former V.C, GRI “Gandhigram is my Guru” - Dr. G. Pankajam, Former VC, GRI “GRI is a guide, Philosopher and guru to the Government, NGOs and villagers” -Dr. T. Karunakaran, Former V.C, GRI “The visibility of Gandhigram is important. Moral education will shape the universities” -Dr. S.M. Ramasamy, V.C. GRI

9. GANDHIGRAM RURAL INSTITUTE DEEMED UNIVERSITY ORIGIN AND NEED FOR GURUKULA SYSTEM Gurukula system is the foundation for building a value system Health problem of a student Peer group relationship Financial problem Emotional problem Campus resources – its use Sports and talents

10. ORIGIN AND NEED FOR GURUKULA SYSTEM • Cultural talents • Basic information for every student • Family circumstances – environment • Adolescent problem and parenting problem • Guru has to manage Adolescent problem • Time Management

11. ORIGIN AND NEED FOR GURUKULA SYSTEM • Life style management • Stress and strain management • Multi –cultural shock – for Example: Manipur, other states and abroad • Over all behaviour and conduct

12. QUALITIES OF A GURU GU- MEANS DARKNESS RU– MEANS LIGHT. • Model teacher • Visionary • Friendly • Knowledgeable • Sympathetic - Empathy

13. QUALITIES OF A GURU • Time management - Punctuality • Guru as a communicator for a life • Guru has a multi-dimensional personality • Nut and cut - Guru has to provide pea-nuts for academic nutrition and also plunged into making various cuts for deviation like a scissor

14. GURU AND STUDENT • Attacking a problem • Partners in a field work • Gurukula Based Field Work • Phoenix experiment in South Africa - Gandhi as a Teacher • Leprosy patient – parchure Shastiri – Sanskrit scholar –Gandhi as a male nurse • Teacher and Student relationship in Chitrakoot – Gujarat Vidhya Peeth, GRI, Gandhigram • Combined Adventure – Joint Adventure • “Care for others” under Gurukula System

15. WHY GURUKULA INEFFECTIVE? • No time for teacher – lack of time • Career oriented – academic oriented • No ideological commitment • “New blood” – “Live up” “or Leave up” - Could not pick up the tradition • It should become an Affectionate programme • Monthly – 2 days may be allotted

16. PROBLEMS ARE COMPLEX • Arrack shop – Wine shop, disturbing value • No guide book for life Guru • A guide book for Guru and student –necessary • We are not a holistic human being

17. PROBLEMS ARE COMPLEX • Guru - a holistic concept • Guru – a total guidance for students • Guru – Career guidance • Internet – Guru – [1 crore 75,000 documents] • All together could be a “team guru”

18. PROBLEMS ARE COMPLEX • Empathize – Guru should have empathy. • Guru- Should not hurt students • Guru may understand “tragedies” • NGOs like India Trust – Gandhigram Trust and others providing mechanics for Stress management and counseling like Gurukula system

19. CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION OF GURUS • Guru may take a vow that “Nobody should fail” not only in exam but also in life. • Guru should be a practitioner. • Guru should take the best out of students” – Guru can do it. • Men students get degenerated

20. CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION OF GURUS • Life becomes empty. • Can we bring students to the “track” of successful ladder? – yes, we can. • Men can not sit silent

21. WHAT EVERY GURU CAN DO? • Take time to share love and affection with students • Make students punctual • Academic problem solving – classroom, hostel and family, hostel students and dayscholars. • Organizational help • Create a good atmosphere for learning • Create a basic atmosphere for sharing worries.

22. WHAT EVERY GURU CAN DO?OPERATIONAL / REORGANIZATIONAL • Regular class work – Gurus are busy • Alternative week – Gurukula Meeting or weekly • Gurukula based field work – village visit • Every Department should have a spade [50] for carryingout regular Shramdan work • Gurukula record book

23. WHAT EVERY GURU CAN DO?OPERATIONAL / REORGANIZATIONAL • Initiating dialogue with experts / leaders/ management experts / Gandhian thinkers • A guide to Guru- Ex: “Poverty” – spiritual force • Spiritual desert will bring a Guru • Providing “Update information” – ghy; epide;J}l;Lk; jha;

24. WHAT EVERY GURU CAN DO?OPERATIONAL / REORGANIZATIONAL • ‘Sense the need and fill the need’ of the students • ‘Load and unload knowledge” • Guru is like a parent • Gurus may log the problems of students • Gurus may prioritize the problems of students • New Method of Teaching to attract students • Frequent meetings / interaction with students.

25. WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO? • Understand the life of founders of Gandhigram Dr.G.Ramachandran Mama and Dr.T.S.Soundram Amma. • Read a book on adventure with my life – Autobiography of Mama • A book about Amma – Aram Valartha Amma • Creating Mama and Amma’s exhibition by all students • Go through the album of Mama and Amma • See the GRI documentary film – 10 minutes

26. WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO? • Understand Tagore, Gandhi and any noble leaders whom you like most? • Read magazines and study materials like GRI newsletter, annual report, student magazine available in the Dr. G. Ramachandran central library. • Everyday is a reading day; learning day; working day – Read and read as much as you can including daily newspapers. • Read IQAC, UGC and IAU - Newsletters regularly • Choose a topic for project reports highlighting GRI Gurukula system with the help of the Teacher guide allotted to you • Diary writing regularly by all students • Celebrate Teachers Day being 5th September as Gurus day – Birthday of Dr.S.Radhakrishnan, Philosopher • Meet Gurus regularly – meeting gurus and energizing everyday should be the basic duty of every student.

27. WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO? • Attend Gurukula meetings every week regularly as per the time table • Contact your Gurus frequently; Greet your Gurus daily. • Share your feelings and emotions with Guru. • Everyday is a reading day - Language labs in the campus – village as a laboratory – village as a classroom – Library as knowledge park – Gold mind • Take advise from Gurus regularly

28. THOUGHTS ON GURUKULASYSTEM • Guru is like a light house • No Guru today, No guidance tomorrow • Diamonds shine brightest in a coal mine. Gurus will shape you like a dimonds. • No Guru; No future. • Following the shadow of a Guru is like following the shadow of the almighty • Ideal Guru and ideal student are the two sides of the same coin of the GRI [Thoughts of Dr. S. Narayanasamy, 07.06.2011]

29. QUESTION? • Five years [5] happiness – As a disciple in GRI today • 50 years [50] happiness – As a Guru in the future. ANSWER • Be a sincere and faithful disciple

30. THANK YOU