A school dedicated to teaching Vedas

MOTIHARI (EAST CHAMPARAN): Words like Vedic rituals and Vedic age figure every now and then in the discussions of educated ones. But one would hardly find persons who have gone through the Vedic texts. There are, however, people who are busy spreading the teachings of Veda. Sushil Pandey of Bihar's East Champaran district is one such person who is running a school dedicated to teaching the Vedas.

Named `Arshvidya Shikshan Prasikhshan Sewa Sansthan', the school at present imparts education in three Vedas - Rig Veda, Yajur Veda and Sama Veda. It is the only educational institution of its kind in Bihar as other such institutions located in Darbhanga, Lakhisarai and Bhagalpur districts impart education in just one Veda.

The efforts of Pandey, who is post-graduate in Sanskrit from the prestigious Benaras Hindu University (BHU), is paying rich dividends as this unique school at present has around 100 students on its rolls.

Adhering to the true Vedic rituals, the school follows the regimen as was followed in ancient Indian society and students enrolled here are moulded in that very way.

"It is like preparing their bodies and mind for following the Veda teachings in true sense," Pandey said. He said apart from following the Vedic rituals, the students are also asked to practice yoga on a regular basis so that their bodies and minds remain in good shape.

Then, the young ones, studying here, are also supposed to follow the dress code prevalent in the ancient Indian society and all of them wear Dhoti & Kurta.

The efforts of Pandey appear to have helped in inculcating the true Indian values in these students as evident from the assertions of many of them. "Initially I had some problems, but in a month's time I got accustomed to the discipline of this school," said Yuvraj Tiwari, a school student, who is pursuing a course in Rig Veda.

And if this student is enjoying a totally different kind of regimen, his grandfather Rajgriha Dubey is more than happy with the progress made by his grandson in a short span of time. "This school has delivered more than my expectations," he said.
Encouraged by the response of the parents, Pandey has decided to introduce the courses in Atharva Veda as well from the coming academic session.

And the school principal has not limited his role to spread the Vedic culture among this school students only, rather to popularise these age-old values among students of other local schools, he has started free coaching classes in Sanskrit for such students.

"Those coming here for Sanskrit classes would certainly learn something about the values which we impart and it would, in turn, serve our purpose of spreading a good thing in the society," Pandey said.