Revival of Vaidik Traditions: Surabhi Shodh Sansthan

Listening to Krishna hymns on the flute by Mukti a child from Tripura and beat of the drum by Asha a child of Nepal origin, the atmosphere was filled with emotion. This is about Surabhi Shodh Sansthan, Varanasi, which is reviving moribund old traditions of education, agriculture and Vedas. This project was conceptualized and implemented in 1992 by Sangh Swayamsevak, Shri. Suryakantji Jalan, a staunch believer in ‘simple living and high thinking’ when cattle from defunct goushalas and slaughterhouses were rescued and rehabilitated here. Later, this was combined with education.

A hostel started in SwavlambiGoushala with mere 22 tribal children from naxal affected areas of North-East regions, now houses 600 of them. They are not only getting free modern education and basic skills in fields like music, cooking, organic farming, cattle rearing, agriculture, conservation of water, soil and environment, but they are also working on cultural and communal harmony which is taking them away from extremism and naxalism. One such student, SonamBhutia, is doing his M.Phil. and has been general secretary of Sikkim University Students Union. Few ex-students are now teaching Hindi in Sikkim and Nagaland. Jalanji proudly tells that one student, NorbuLepcha, is secretary to the state’s forest minister in Sikkim. Trained at regular music classes, Sakchum Al Lepcha, is successfully running his own YouTube channel.

Shri Harish Bhai, an ex-pracharak of Sanghand currently supervising the hostel tells that many children came here from North-Eastern states, some were from poor agricultural families, whereas some others were either orphans or had single parent due to social conditions in those regions. 

This Institute is the family for those children who came hereat a young age while studying in class 3 or 4. Full support is extended to them up till their higher education. In all 424 boys and 178 girls are residing in four hostels of theInstitution. Sowing the seeds of self-reliance, this center is instilling in the children the pride of being Hindi speaker, and also paving way for a bright future. Working with own hands, plantation, caring for cows automatically makes children nature lovers.

The Institute has launched various initiatives with the aim of making every household self-reliant and that every person should earn his livelihood by himself. Various problems faced by the villagers of the surrounding villages like barren farmlands, water scarcity, unemployment, lack of education and health etc. came to fore as they came in contact with Gaushala. This is where traditional techniques of making barren farmland fertile by using cow excreta, harvesting the rainwater running down the hills, constructing small check dams and channels etc. were deployed. As a result, the barren farmlands became fertile and green. Once it is achieved the ideas like organic farming, raising nurseries, and plantations could be easily promoted. Due to this employment opportunities got a boost in fields of agriculture and cattle raising. In addition various middle and high schools were opened at many places to provide better and modern education.

Shri. Jatashankar, the head of the institution, informed that the farmers those were distraught with decreasing farm yields were trained to cultivate with advanced technics, and thus endangered varieties of vegetables, fruits and flora were conserved. Today there are 60,000 trees in Tapovan branch alone, where 25 varieties of fruits and vegetables, 20 varieties of herbs, spices, cattle fodder, etc. are being produced. 

Today, there is no scarcity of food in rural or urban India. Yet lack of respect for womenfolk and simple desires of children upsets women. In addition, domestic violence, alcohol & substance addiction gives rise to disputes and quarrels in homes.

SavitaMourya, who is working here for last 6 yearsproudly, tells that they did not stop working even during the lockdown; as a result, they have earned money and respect in family, and can take care of their children’s happiness. More than 500 women like Rajlakshmi, Durga, Asha are earning their livelihood after getting trained in tailoring. The Institute has provided occupational training in making papad, pickles, jams, spices, gulkand, etc. to more than 500 women to make them self-reliant.

The Institute organizes free health camps in nearby rural areas under Dagmagpur and Mirzapur projects where doctors like Dr. S.K. Poddarcontribute their valuable time. Major achievement of these camps is heightened awareness about health and epilepsy. These camps which are attended by around 1100 people every time, have benefitedMore than 5000 people so far.

As per Indian mythology and culture, all gods reside in cows. This project is an obvious example of this understanding. The project that started with conservation and protection of cows has now grown multifold and brought about revolutionary changes in several fields in the adjoining areas.