JOIN USRatnamanasa Hostel in Ujire believes that for a progressive society, we need value-based education. A holistic system that makes students self-sufficient and prepared for all challenges life throws at them. Wilson Pinto describes the organisation’s efforts
Education is often considered as one of the basic necessities in life. But formal education that doesn’t give exposure to life-skills wouldn’t benefit either the individual or the society. Hence, the need of the hour is inclusive education, a holistic system wherein students learn lessons beyond the realms of language, science and mathematics.
Education should prepare children for all challenges that life throws at them. Realising the weakness inherent in the present-day schooling which lacks ingredients that are essentials for one’s complete personality development, Dr D Veerendra Heggade, the hereditary
administrator of Dharmasthala Temple, gave shape to the concept of jeevana
shikshana (life-giving education) and started Ratnamanasa Hostel in the year 1973 in the serene atmosphere of Ujire in Dakshina Kannada district.
Students are given training in both theoretical and practical aspects of education. They are given hands-on training in agriculture, horticulture, dairy, mixed farming, energy conservation, marketing, dealing with co-operatives and banks. In total, 120 students from different places in Karnataka are utilising the services of the 10-acre hostel now.
Holistic training
The main ideology behind this sort of training is that it would assist the boys to take up some kind of self employment later in life. Agriculture and its allied activities are integrated with the school education. Yoga, games, sports and various types of craft activities are carried out for the benefit of students. Additional assistance is also provided for the weaker ones. Dairy farming and agriculture form the main sources of income for this hostel. It is interesting to note that all such responsibilities are managed by the students themselves.
High school students are admitted here on the basis of an interesting selection programme. Before the admission, aspirants are admitted to the hostel for three days and given a rundown of the daily processes. They are exposed to the systems of the hostel including the work they are expected to carry out if selected. Later, based on their adjustment skills and talent, students are taken in and trained.
Regular study tours are organised to make the students aware of the world around them. Guest lectures on agriculture, sericulture, business, personality development, banking and so on are also organised. A diary is maintained for every student, which is a comprehensive record of the student’s progress.
Kashmeer Menezes who served as the warden from 1973 till 2008, has contributed significantly to its development. Krishna Shetty, the present warden was a student himself here. Having worked for 32 years in the organisation, he says.
“Ratnamanasa provides moral education, helping children acquire those virtues or moral habits that will help them live good lives and at the same time, become productive and contributing members of the society. Education that facilitates a disciplined life is the goal of Ratnamanasa. Every year after the exams, students benefit highly from the summer camp conducted here by resourceful people. Even our annual fests are so varied,
diverse and bring out the true colours of every student.”
Prajwal, son of a mason is a student of Ratnamanasa. Thanks to the dedicated training and regular performances at the cultural functions organised at the hostel, he has finally got rid of his stage fear. He says, “It feels great to participate in the activities and to be on par with my friends. I have got rid of my laziness and I am getting good in my studies.”
Madukiran from Kasargod acknowledges the support and guidance of senior students. He hopes to pass on the same guidance to his juniors and aspires to serve the needy people in the society. He says, “Krishna Shetty is more than a warden. A true teacher, he helps us out whenever needed.”
While Ratnamanasa has already made a difference in the lives of innumerable students, the society needs to have many more such institutions to fulfill the greater cause of a healthy society.