Archives November 2012

Introduction. Co-education means education of boys and girls together in the same school or college at the same time. In India it has recently become popular. Co-education in India. Co-education is not a new thing for us. In the good old days when 'Ashrams' were the seats of learning, co-education was in practice. In the Hindu scriptures, old records and legends we find a number of examples which show that co-education was all over the country. The practice continued till the coming of Muslims in India. The Purdah system put an end to co-education. Criticism against Co-education. From the very beginning voices have been raised against Co-education. Stephen Lea lock, an American educationist declares," Men cannot read when women are around". Charges against Co-education. There are many charges against Co-education. First, it lowers the lone of discipline. Secondly, it brings about a shift in the minds of students, learning goes more...

Introduction. Like the washer man, the Baber is a very useful and important member of the society. Like the washer man he makes us look clean and decent in appearance. It is good that he is not regarded mean and untouchable. His wages. In villages, the barber is paid in the form of a fixed quantity of corn at the harvest lime. This quantity depends upon The members of the family. This corn is generally enough for him for the whole year. Besides this, on happy occasions and ceremonies, he is given gifts of clothes and money by his customers. He goes from village to village and shaves the people and cuts their hair once or twice a month. The village barber is well and happy. Barbers in town and cities. In towns and cities there are shops of barbers known as hair cutting saloons. People go to these shops more...

The 24th day of July is an important day for disciples everywhere, especially in India. On this auspicious day, disciples in the country will celebrate Guru Purnima and express gratitude to their gurus who are alive and also. Who have attained nirvana and left their body. An often--asked question is: "Does a guru who is no longer his physical body help his disciples on their spiritual journey and evolvement in consciousness?"  There is always a big debate on this subject—and the answer to this question is both yes and no. Even after his departure from this world, a guru/is always available to a disciple, provided he is a genuine disciple and the guru is a real guru. A disciple who has full faith benefits the most. Basically, it all depends on the receptivity and Understanding of the disciple and his love and devotion to the mentor. If the disciple is more...

The question is to be of the world and still be out of It. sounds paradoxical. The religion as propounded by Guru Nanak and the later gurus does not reconcile people poverty, misery, hunger and disease. All these are regarded by the gurus as great evils. In one of his compositions (it is included in Guru Granth sahib) sage Kabir said: "I cannot carry on my Devotion on an empty stomach. Here take thy rosary Away.” but at the same time, all the gurus say that if these are inescapable and incurable in spite of all Efforts, they must be endured, not only with fortitude and Firmness, but sometimes even with joy. It has ordained thus. Gurbani says that one should be happy and comfortable in this world and blessed in the next life. The human body is sacred or, as Guru Amardas says: "The body is an extremely beautiful more...

Introduction. Game’ and Sports ate a necessary part of education. The aim of education is physical, menial and moral Development of a student. A sound body contains a sound mind. If body is weak, mind can never be strong. Health is wealth; 'Health is wealth' is an old saying. The students can build their health and body by playing game; which provides exercise in the open and fresh air. All work and no play makes Jack a. dull boy. India does not need book worms with ill health. A good student must take care of all the things. He must give lime to his studies but he should not neglect games. He should follow the maxim, "Work, while you work, play, while you play, that is the way to be happy and gay". What games teach us? Games leach us discipline and Sportsmanship. A sportsman treats victory and defeat equally. more...

Introduction. A tailor sews clothes. He is found in every village and town. No civilized person can do without him. He is a very important member of our society. He earns his living by working hard. He knows no holiday. His toots. A tailor depends upon his tools. He requires a few tools. They arc - a pair of scissors, a sewing machine, a measuring tape, a sharp needle, a [tumble on his middle finger, some thread reels and balls, and an iron press. He puts on thimble on his middle finger to protect it from needle pricks. He also needs a wooden plank and a piece of coloured chalk and a register lo note down the measurements of customers. These tools are very necessary for the tailor. He cannot do his work without them. If any of these tools is missing he cannot do his work. His shop. A more...

What sort of person are you? Are you in control of Circumastances, or do circumstances have the upper hand?   Do people shape events, or do events shape people?  Are we ruled by karma and controlled by the stars and Plants the shapes of our bodies, the lines on our palm, or are we the architects of our destiny? Is history the Resolt of personal endeavour? For millennia, humankind has been unable to establish Causes for events. History students grapple with the Problem, philosophy graduates seek answers to this Enigma, ethicists wrestle with moral mazes, but scholars And seekers alike cannot establish consensus. Religious leaders daunted by world events struggle to give answers. The issue seems impenetrable. Is it time to give up and move on to something less abstruse? It is fashionable for us—and in line with western capitalism to think we can control our future and thus progress, more...

I had been falling behind my body-work and meditation practice routine. I had a valid expuse: water shortage. With piped water available for only two each morning, washing clothes was a priority leaving little time to attend to other work. Swamiji visited our city. I called on him. When we met he asked me how our meditation was going. I had to tell him of my 'washing obsession'.  Swamiji smiled and said: "Well, if you are washing clothes when you are washing clothes that is good." Noting my puzzlement, he added: "If you are doing your practice, while all the time your mind is held by idea of 'oh dear, I should be washing clothes instead'—the practice is almost useless. And when you are washing clothes, you do it with attention and mindfulness, not thinking that you should be actually doing your meditation or practice—then, washing clothes can be your more...

Introduction. An adult is a person who is twenty one or more than twenty one years old. Hence, adult education means the teaching of adults. The illiterate and partially literate. For the purpose of education Adults may be divided into two classes- the illiterate and the partially literate. The aim of adult   education is to see that every person in the country knows at least three R's reading writing and arithmetic. Such knowledge is very necessary for every person in the country. Its aims. of adult education is that such adults as are partially literate should be taught further. They should he taught their Right .s and duties as citizen. The adult education is based on the idea that no one can be completely happy unless he or she is educated. After all culture opens the eye of mind. He that is mentally baling cannot hope to be completely happy. more...

Introduction. India is a home of beggars. In no other country you will find so many beggars. The reason is that begging is a profession in India. Many of beggars are beggars by birth. They do not like to change their profession. They make their living with ease. Appearance. All beggars are an object of pity. They wear rags. Some are seen in loin-cloth. They go about from place to place on their daily rounds. They are very persistent. Some wear loose clothes. They cover their bodies with ashes. They have long mailed hair. Some of them are really disabled. Some are crippled and blind. They deserve our help and sympathy. Some beggars wear oiled rags around their legs. They pretend to be crippled. Way of begging. The beggar is usually quite clever and even gaining. He has many ways and means of begging. He may go about as a more...