THE FIRST SARASWATI SHISHU MANDIR

In 1952, some RSS workers were inspired to take up education of children as a mission  of their lives. People engaged in this noble task of Nation building through proper education of the younger generation, laid the foundation of the first school at Gorakhpur in a building rented at a monthly rent of Rs 5. After due consideration, they named their school as Saraswati Shishu Mandir - Temple of the Goddess Saraswati, dedicated to impart education to the children. Thanks to their zeal, dedication and hard work that such schools began to be established at other places too. Prior to this, Gita school was established at Kurukshetra in the year 1946 by revered Shri Guruji, M.S. Golwalker. 

The number of such schools increased rapidly in Uttar Pradesh. A State-level Shishu Shiksha Prabandh Samiti was formed in 1958 for their proper guidance and planned development. Good education and sound sanskaras at the Saraswati Shishu Mandirs earned for them due honour and popularity in the society. The scools spread in other States too. Within a few years many schools had been established in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and other States. People began to send their children to these schools in preference to Christian convent-schools. In Saraswati Shishu Mandirs, the children could learn about their Hindu culture.

State-level committees were set up in other States also as the number of schools began to increase there. Punjab and Chandigarh had a Sarvhitkari Shiksha Samiti while Haryana had Hindu Shiksha Samiti. The formation of an All-India body came as a natural corollary of this process. Thus Vidya Bharati was established with its headquarters in Delhi. All State-level committees were affiliated to the Vidya Bharati Shiksha Sansthan educational system.

 1.

To evolve an integrated system of education in conformity with the aims of Indian Culture and its ideals of life.

To establish educational institutions at various levels and in different areas for the physical, mental, moral and spiritual development of the child and to help, organise, promote and guide such institutions.

To affiliate educational institutions and organisations already functioning on such lines and to co-ordinate and help their working.

To arrange for the proper training of teachers engaged in the fulfillment of the above aims, to produce training material to make their teaching work more effective and to provide protection, promotion and financial assistance to persons already engaged in the above two activities.

To arrange for the exchange, analysis, discussion etc. of the innovations and experiences in the field of education in conformity with the aims of the B.V.K.

To establish contact with parents connected with institutions, affiliated or managed by educational organisations and to organise from time to time different activities for creating and developing interest of students in the cultural, literary and artistic fields.

To inform the Central and State government about the experiences and conclusions of the organisation.

To receive financial assistance, acquire movable and immovable property for the fulfillment of the above aims, utilise the same for the benefit of the organisation and formulate rules relating to the same.

To perform all other such functions which may help in the achievement of the above aims.

All activities of the organisation shall be prompted by feelings of service and complete dedication to education and not for acquisition of money.

All activities and services of the organisation shall be dedicated to the whole society without any discrimination based on caste, race, region, gender or religious and political beliefs.

To develop a national system of education which may mould the posterity into such a youthful generation as fully saturated with the feelings of Hindutva and patriotism, having completely attained all-round physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual development, capable of facing modern challenges successfully and dedicating their life for the service and upliftment of the natives of backward and remote tribal areas and the dwellers of the slums so that these down-trodden people may get rid of economic exploitation, social humiliation and injustice and usher in a new era of mutual equity, cultural integrity and economic prosperity.

The ultimate reality of the universe is God by whatever other names it may be called. God is eternal, omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient. God cannot be seen but can very well be realised. Man should have faith in the greatness of God and seek his grace.

Nature is bountiful and benevolent. Man has to be respectful and grateful to nature. There is a balance of various elements in the environment of nature. It is in the interest of man to utilise the natural resources in such a way that this balance is not significantly disturbed.

Man is not body alone. Apart from the physical levels, man has four other levels of existence known as Koshas. In modern terminology, they may be called five system and the self system. It is the primary duty of man that he sincerely tries towards optimum and balanced development of all his five systems or Koshas.

Man should exercise moderation in daily life and should exercise control on his five organs of knowledge and five organs of action through the practice of yoga. This will also ensure control on mind and sharpening of intellect resulting in optimum and balanced development of all aspects of his personality.

Performance of one's socially prescribed duties without pride or prejudice; attachment or revolution but with intelligence and dedication is the highest Dharma of an individual. What these duties are, is to be determined by the State, the society and the individual himself.

The divinity in man must be accepted and respected by the State and the society and they should ensure his autonomy in personal matters subject to the performance of socially prescribed duties by him.

The life style and life activities of an individual should be inspired by a sincere desire to help and serve others.

An individual must respect and obey the State which provides him peace and security of life and man should fulfill his obligations towards the society.