Radhanath Swami Making Better Citizens

Educational System Should Foster Good Citizens

In his famous inaugural address to the United States, President J. F. Kennedy had implored the citizens of America, “Ask not what the country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

What makes a country? The people. The statement then would imply that we should contrive ways to benefit people, rather than contrive ways to benefit from people. Perusing Kennedy’s statement, it becomes clear as to what makes a good citizen—an attitude of service, rather than an attitude of exploitation. But doesn’t the world around—the work environment, the advertisement industry, etc.—seem to catalyze an exploitative attitude? Ideally, educational systems should immunize children against such ‘negative’ effects and foster selflessness in them, children being in the formative years of their lives. Most systems don’t do that and ironically, some even seem to do the opposite. But every aspect of Gurukul, Vedic schooling—its rendition by Vedic experts clarifies its significance in fostering selflessness.

Now, the forte of Srila Prabhupada was his ability to swerve the attitude of even grown-ups, making them better citizens, through the Vedic educational system that he developed. Radhanath Swami followed the same system and achieved success all over the world, and especially in Mumbai, by the grace of his Guru, Srila Prabhupada.

Vedic Education for the Youth

In 1993, Radhanath Swami took seriously the task of imparting Vedic education to the youth studying in various Universities in Mumbai, including the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). His staff of dedicated teachers, some monks and other householders, all volunteers, went on campuses regularly to hold classes, and very soon more and more lives were transformed. With time, several Universities from other cities, including one more IIT and several National Institute of Technology's (NIT's) were also taken into the fold.

As hundreds in the Universities are getting connected each day, those who received Vedic Education while at the University are now applying that in their workplaces.

Vedic Education Made More Accessible For All

Taking lessons on Vedic education had to be made more practical and convenient for Mumbai residents. So, rather then they coming to the University of Vedic Education, the temple, Radhanath Swami arranged for his staff to hold classes in different pockets of the city. An interested group would decide on a convenient time and place for a weekly class, and a teacher would oblige. Later a certificate course on Vedic education was introduced for those more academically oriented.

At regular intervals new centers for imparting Vedic education are being introduced in different parts of Maharashtra state, under the umbrella of the centre at Mumbai. Especially flourishing are the Pune, Nasik, Kolhapur, Nigdi and Satara centers. These centers are called satellite centers.

In recent years, an attempt is made to introduce Vedic education to even school going kids, through Gopal's Fun School (GFS).

Radhanath Swami also oversees the Lady Northcote Hindu Orphanage, ensuring that the children there are not just taken care of physically and emotionally, but also spiritually. Vedic education is imparted to them, to groom them into ideal citizens of tomorrow.

Radhanath Swami speaking on the Purpose of University Education: