Tirthankar Mahavir Vidya Mandir School
Pujya Tai Ma’s profound vision is that there should be an education institute in every Jain pilgrimage site (Tirth-Kshetra) throughout India (“Jaha Jinalay, Vaha Vidyalay”). As part of this vision, children will receive not only the best academic education but also be taught good values and purity in thought and actions. Veerayatan strives to promote holistic education to raise awareness about protecting the environment and natural resources, cleanliness, an addiction-free and non-violent life. The success of these initiatives will transform villages into safe havens for children, lead to respectable lives for adults and develop a love for animals and nature. This was the premise on which Tirthankar Mahavir Vidya Mandir was established in Palitana in 2017, to act as a life temple for the betterment of humanity.
The school, set in the periphery of Palitana, welcomes all with open arms. The clean crisp air, the well-developed greenery, the outdoor play area, and the neat and clean campus, the energy of the place is indescribable and marvels all. As one enters, there is a sense of equanimity evidenced by the warmth of the teachers, the smiles of the children and the peaceful ambience where children can learn with confidence and joy. The children seem set for life with an educational and spiritual start, enthused with hope, and immersed in a sense of purpose and belonging that Veerayatan has given to them.
What strikes everyone most as they visit the colourful and well-equipped classrooms is the politeness of the children, the simple cheerfulness and their eagerness in displaying their work that is evident in everything they do. Inspirational activities for students include prayers, yoga, meditation, nurturing and creative play, learning to sing and dance, public speaking, drama, tree planting, learning through arts and crafts, and active participation in various Indian festivals occurring throughout the year.
The school has over 350 students and is expanding each year having classes currently from standards 1-9.
Highlights
- Unusually for India, the focus of education is child-centric, encouraging children to reason critically and solve problems rather than learning by repetition.
- A modern well-equipped library, a computer laboratory and a science laboratory assist in providing well-rounded education for the children.
- The children have been engrained in environmentally conscious practices and have planted more than 1000 trees since 2017, thus making the campus beautiful and green with lots of birds happily chirping away.
- The school fees for all children are subsidised but with some disadvantaged children being fully sponsored by well-wishers.