A remote West Midnapore village with a population of just 1,603 people, that had no educational infrastructure whatsoever until 2007, today boasts of doctors and engineers being produced from the village, thanks to a unique initiative that started back in 2007, with 17 children, some enthusiastic volunteers, and a vision.
Here, formal schooling was absent. Poverty, political unrest, and a lack of infrastructure kept generations away from classrooms. The flicker of hope emerged in 2007 when retired army officer Milan Chandra Maikap took the first bold step. This step later found its grounding in the humanitarian vision of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, bringing qualitative education that is inclusive, holistic, and based on human values in a significant way.
Resolve to give back to his native village
In 2007, Maikap invested 75 per cent of his pension to start a free school for underprivileged children in the village, where classes were held under tin sheds with 17 students. Volunteers taught without pay, while Milan personally convinced hesitant parents to send their children to school. The school also battled skepticism, as many locals questioned the value of formal education. Financial constraints were severe, with minimal resources and a shortage of qualified staff. Political resistance further compounded the difficulties.
A turning point came in 2010, when The Art of Living, inspired by Gurudev’s insightful belief that “the vision of creating a divine society begins with strengthening education at the grassroots,” adopted the school under its free school project, Sri Sri Gnan Mandir (SSGM).
Under the guidance of Art of Living faculty Arun Kumar Ghosh, local youth were trained as community educators, building trust within the community and increasing enrollment.
Holistic education at grassroots levels
What came into being was value-based education, blending academics with yoga, meditation, and life skills, nurturing not only intellect but character. Children were taught life tools to not just excel in education or learn better, but also how to handle peer pressure, how to handle their emotions, and fulfil their spiritual, physical, and mental potential.
With students traveling to the school from 17 km away, today, SSGM Eral offers classes from LKG to Class X, educating 413 students—284 boys and 129 girls—all receiving free books, uniforms, and mid-day meals. The alumni now pursue higher studies in engineering, medicine, and the armed forces. Recently, in the first Madhyamik batch, five students passed with flying colours, and among them, Anupama Das Adhikari shone with 667 out of 700 marks.