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MODERN GURUKUL SYSTEM FOR STATE MODEL

yurveda, the ancient Indian Medical Science is fast gaining global acceptance and popularity. The reason for this global resurgenceA of Ayurvedalies in its unique and holistic approach towards health promotion, disease prevention and effective disease management system. Ayurveda, the science of life, whichtraces its roots in the holy , has an unparalleled and unbroken tradition of scientific medical knowledgeand practice of its basic fundamentals and treatment modalities since thousands of years. The fundamentals of Ayurveda were conceptualised and derived by the ancient sages and seers based on their extensive experiential knowledge and wisdom and then codified into concise and precise . This scientific knowledge of Ayurveda was considered sacrosanct and imparted models. The holy and revered spiritual science and technology. There is also a by the / to their select text Gurugita describes as the one parallel need being felt in the Ayurvedic and deserving disciples through who removes the darkness of ignorance fraternity to rejuvenate and reintroduce Aptopadesha orpersonal discourse in with the tool of true knowledge and the ancient Gurukul System in modern a highly pious and dedicated manner bestows clear vision and thinking to the day Ayurvedic education so as to learn i.e., through Guru-Shishya Paramparain disciple. and practice Ayurveda in its purest form. Gurukul setup. The Parampara or School of founded by In fact the National Accreditation and Atreya and the Dhanwantari Assessment Councilthat assesses and Parampara or School of Surgery founded accredits higher education Institutions by Acharya Dhanwantari are famous This highly effective teaching and (HEIs) in Indiaalso emphasizes the examples of the prevalent Gurukul training way of Gurukul system lost importance of Mentor Mentee Scheme in System of Ayurveda in those ancient much of its significance in the colonial the Institute and data of Mentor- Mentee times. The remnants of the world famous British era with the imposition of the ratio for academic and stress related Universities of Takshashila, Nalanda Modern didactical method of teaching issues in its Impact Assessment Criteria. and Vikramshila stand testimony to the introduced by the erstwhile Lord highly developed and institutionalised Macaulay. The problem has been Under the able guidance of the Hon’ble Gurukul System in . The classical compounded by the present era of Minister Medical Education Mr Girish Ayurvedic texts quote Aptopadesha as Information Communication Technology Mahajan and Hon’ble Secretary the foremost tool of gaining knowledge. and digitization where there is an Medical Education and Drugs, Govt Charak contains an entire explosion of knowledge and the young of Maharashtra, the Directorate of chapter (Charak Samhita Vimanasthana eager minds are being forced to acquire AYUSHhas conceptualised and eighth chapter) dedicated to the ideal this knowledge relentlessly thus leaving proposed the idea of “MODERN method of learning Ayurveda and states little scope for nurturing their creativity, GURUKUL SYSTEM FOR AYURVEDA- Adhyayan/Self study, Adhyapan/teaching reasoning, independent thinking and MAHARASHTRA STATE MODEL” for and Tadvidya Sambhasha/ debates and practical application of the knowledge. comprehensive academic, clinical and discussions with peers as the three The essential qualities like sense of technical skill development of Ayurveda modalities of learning Ayurvedic Science. curiosity, empathy, sensitivity to social Graduation Course students. As a It also mentions the ideal qualities of issues and ethics in addition to subject pilot project/ first phase of the project, Guru and Shishya. Ashtang Sangraha knowledge are neither emphasised nor the Directorate of AYUSH has chosen describes the Guru Shishya model of inculcated in the students. The present the first year Undergraduate students study in Shishyopanayaneeyam chapter. Education system is also evolving and admitted in prestigious R A Podar Sushrut Samhita elaborates the concept developing continuously to gel with Ayurved College, Worli, Mumbai in the of Vishikhanupravesh wherein aspiring the demands of modern era. Ayurvedic academic year 2018-19, to transform Ayurvedic surgeons evolve into expert Education system also needs to be and mould them into ideal students of surgeons after dedicated surgical training continuously upgraded and modified to Ayurveda. Major highlights of this novel on inanimate practice objects and stay abreast with the rapid progress in education model are summarized below-

42 | Vedayu Health with Ayurveda | Dec - Feb 2018 to gain proficiency in • The 100 first year Undergraduate them to excel in academics and language especially Vyakaran/ students have been grouped into extracurricular activities in which the Grammar since all the classical 10 cohesive batches of 10 students student has a special natural affinity. texts or Samhitasare composed of each. Each segment of 10 students Sanskrit Sutras. To study the original will be called as Group and a Group • The entire batch of students will Sanskrit text from classical Leader will be chosen from amongst be given all round exposure in and to comprehend the precise themselves every six months on a academic, clinical and research meaning of these Ayurvedic sutrasit rotatory basis. The Group Leader fields of Ayurveda. They will be is essential for the student to have will be able to work as an instant encouraged to actively participate a thorough knowledge of Sanskrit help in reaching the issues of any of in various state level, national language. Hence it is proposed its group members to the Guru or and international competitions, tointroduce a Dual Degree Course Mahaguru. Rotation will also enable workshops, exhibitions, seminars, for these students wherein after tie inculcating Leadership qualities in all debates, conferences, training up with reputed Sanskrit University students of the batch. programmes and other related the students will be regularly taught events. Sanskrit Language by conducting • Each batch has been assigned extra classes throughout the a young and dynamic Assistant • Special educational excursions Ayurvedic Graduation Course. The Professor (who is a young and and field visits to various reputed students will be conferred with B A promising teacher) of the college as National Institutes, Research Sanskrit Degree and M A Sanskrit a Guru/Mentor. Institutes, and Drug Degree after the completion of three Testing Laboratories, Medical years and five years respectively, so • A Mahaguru/Chief mentor and Plant Gardens and Pharmaceutical that the student passing the BAMS Sahayak Mahaguru/ Assistant Chief Companies will be arranged for them / Ayurveda Graduation course will Mentor have also been assigned to 2-3 times annually. also have a M A Sanskrit Degree. monitor and coordinate the entire Award of BA and MA degree in functioning of this Gurukul system in • Regular knowledge updatethrough Sanskrit will be kind of an award for the College. access to various national and putting extra efforts throughout the international peer reviewed Journals course of BAMS studies. • The regular teaching program of Ayurveda and related fields. as per the Council’s norms shall • Equal emphasis will be given to continue. In addition focus shall • To inculcate the scientific temper gaining proficiency in English be laid on making these young in the students they will be language to enable them to interact students proficient in Sanskrit & encouraged to present papers and and present themselves at various English besides building up there posters in national and international interdisciplinary platforms as also confidence levels so as to make very conferences/seminars and to prepare these young students for confident Ayurveda Practitioners/ publications 2-3 times annually. international exposure. Teachers/Professionals in days to come. • Eminent personalities and stalwarts It is especially worthwhile to quote the from Ayurved and big achievers positive thoughts and ideas of Prof. Dr. • Each Guru/Mentor shall be from other fields will be invited o Kuldip Raj Kohli, Director AYUSH, Govt responsible for addressing all the deliver motivational lectures for the of Maharashtra, Dr. Deelip Mhaisekar academic and college campus life students. Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Dr. Kalidas related issues including personal Chavan, Registrar, Maharashtra and family related issues affecting • Special emphasis will be given University of Health Sciences, Nashik his disciples/students assigned to on gaining proficiency in spoken and the Teachers and students of R A him/her and strive wholeheartedly and written Sanskrit language. It Podar Ayurved Medical College, in this for their professional and over all is being made mandatory for the regard. development during the Graduation Under graduate student of Ayurveda period of five and a half years.

• The Guru/Mentor shall identify the strengths, weaknesses, likings, hobbies and areas of interests of each student and inspire and guide

43 | Vedayu Health with Ayurveda | Dec - Feb 2018 “I have always been of the view that we are for sure “This concept of Mentor- Mentee is laudable and it is also missing something in teaching Ayurveda to students as being emphasised by NAAC. This is a very good project. the product walking out of the campus was not confident Emphasis on Sanskrit is essential as all Ayurvedic classical and enabled to face the real challenges head on, be it texts are in Sanskrit. We will have to prepare a framework practice of Ayurveda, teaching of Ayurveda or even as he and time schedule for the proposed Dual Degree Course. goes abroad to represent Ayurveda. That ‘something’ was We are initiating work in this regard at the University level. the method of imparting education which could neither I extend my best wishes for this Project. make good Ayurveda practitioners nor could make good Ayurveda Teachers in last 70 years of independence. I Dr. Kalidas Chavan, am of a very considered opinion that the students opting Registrar, for Ayurveda in premier institutes like R A PodarAyurved Maharashtra University of Health College at Mumbai are of the same calibre as that of the Sciences, Nashik students which go to any of the medical colleges. Students admitted in Ayurveda College need to hold their heads high in personal esteem with backing of a sound knowledge of , with best knowledge of modern sciences and clinical skills. With a huge syllabus before the students this The Guru Shishya Parampara has been prevalent in our would surely require motivation and a little push by the country since ancient times. The chief reason for the teachers on whom these students can rely and hence the survival of the divine Vedas in their original form is this oral Modern Pattern of Gurukul system was devised. I am sure unbroken tradition of Gurukul. Ayurveda was also taught the students of this batch of 2018-19 will bring laurels not in similar fashion in ancient times and hence it survived only to the Institute but also to Ayurveda. I am grateful to and flourished in its pure form. Charak Samhita in 8th my first year students and the teachers who have been Chapter of Vimansthana describes in details the qualities appointed as Gurus/Mahaguru as their involvement in this of ideal Guru and Shishya. In the past one-two centuries, scheme has been an inspiration for me to do more in this this Gurukul tradition received a setback. Our visionary, direction. All the Authorities in Ministry of Ayush, MUHS Director Prof K R Kohli Sir has revived this Gurukul system. and the state Govt have promised me full cooperation in I am confident that the teachers who have been selected this regard.” as Chief mentor, Assistant Chief Mentor and mentors will whole-heartedly work towards the success of this Prof. Dr. Kuldip Raj Kohli Gurukul system and the selected batch of 100 students Director, Directorate of AYUSH of my College will excel in future as successful Ayurvedic Govt of Maharashtra academicians, clinicians and practitioners.

Prof. G.Y.Khati Dean, R A Podar Medical College (Ayu), Worli, Mumbai “ This concept of Modern Gurukul System for Ayurved with special emphasis on learning Sanskrit and imparting Dual Degree is a novel one. At present the University does not have a provision to conduct Dual Degree Course. We shall be keeping the issue before the Academic Council of University and then taking the recommendations of It is a matter of great honour and privilege for me to Academic Council, we shall be approaching the Hon’ble be appointed as the Maha Guru / Chief Mentor of the Governor of Maharashtra in this regard and after his first year students batch selected for Modern Gurukul concurrence, we shallgrant the approval. On similar lines we System. This age old and time tested concept of Gurukul will also explore options for starting Dual Degree courses combined with all modern teaching tools will provide the in other faculties as well, as there are already Degree much needed impetus for the academic, professional and Courses offered to working persons and professionals in overall development and growth of all these students. Open Universities. Therefore it is worthwhile to offer Dual Special emphasis on mastering Sanskrit Language will Degree Course to these students of Ayurveda as well. I encourage the students to read and correctly comprehend appreciate this novel concept and will extend all possible the classical Ayurvedic texts and help them in becoming cooperation for its success.” successful Ayurvedic practitioners in the future. I will take all efforts to ensure the success of this Modern Gurukul Dr. Deelip Mhaisekar Concept for Ayurveda. Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Maharashtra University of Health Prof. D. V.Shukla Sciences, Nashik Chief Mentor &Professor & HOD Sharir Rachna Department R A Podar Medical College (Ayu), Worli, Mumbai

44 | Vedayu Health with Ayurveda | Dec - Feb 2018 The proposed Modern Gurukul System of Ayurveda will I am grateful to the Director AYUSH, Govt of Maharashtra greatly improve the communication between students and for choosing us for this Modern Gurukul System for teachers. The teachers selected as Gurus/Mentors will be Ayurveda. This Mentor-Mentee theme will enable greater enabledto be familiarwith the students and recognize their interaction between teachers and students and this will problems and will be able to solve them with personal help in identification and resolution of various problems involvement. It will help in overall improvement of all faced by the students during their academic and campus students. All the Gurus/mentors and students are very life. Special coaching for Sanskrit will help the students to much eager about this project. accurately grasp the meaning of sutras in Ayurvedic texts.

Dr. D. S. Meshram Miss Rachna Tiwari Guru & Assistant Professor Group Leader & First Year BAMS Student Sharir Rachna Department R A Podar Medical College (Ayu), Worli, R A Podar Medical College (Ayu), Worli, Mumbai Mumbai

I am very enthusiastic towards the whole project of Modern As a student selected for the Modern Gurukul System, I Gurukul System. I am planning to take the recitation of am very eagerly waiting for all the opportunities we will be Sutras from various Samhitas during the morning time for offered to learn Ayurveda in a better way. This will help us the Shishyas of my group. Also I am planning common for our overall development as well as make us healthy practice in the morning. This will improve their and responsible citizens in future. Health & Well being. Each student from this batch will have a bright career in future. Miss Pooja Mahto Group Leader & First Year BAMS Student Dr. Sachin Uplanchiwar R A Podar Medical College (Ayu), Worli, Guru & Assistant Professor Mumbai Swasthavritta Department R A Podar Medical College (Ayu), Worli, Mumbai

I am pleased to be an integral part of the Modern Gurukul The Modern Gurukul System being proposed will help System. This System will provide a valuable platform for us interact with our teachers gainfully thus enhancing comprehensive interaction between teachers and students and fine tuning our academic and extracurricular skills. resulting in benefit and progress of both the students and Simultaneous use of modern technology and learning aids the Gurus/Mentors. This ancient traditional education will also aid in improved learning and grasping of various system being implemented in today’s technological era aspects of Ayurveda. will provide the student with the best avenues for their all round development. Miss Shweta Khangar Group Leader & First Year BAMS Student Dr. Sandip Kale R A Podar Medical College (Ayu), Worli, Guru & Assistant Professor Mumbai RogNidan Department R A Podar Medical College (Ayu), Worli, Mumbai.