Admissions open in vedic vidyalayas, two new courses introduced

Prayagraj: After a gap of two years, admissions are now open in two vedic vidyalayas (schools imparting vedic knowledge) in Sangam city for the academic session 2021-22.
The two vedic vidyalyas—Maharshi Bhardwaj Ved Vidyalaya (Kesar Bhawan) and Maharshi Bhardwaj Ved Vedang Shikshan Kendra—are currently being run by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).
Acharya Pankaj Sharma, principal of Maharshi Bhardwaj Ved Vedang Shikshan Kendra, Prayagraj, told TOI, “In the academic session 2021-22, we have decided to open admissions for 20 students along with accommodation facility. The entrance test is scheduled on August 5.”
He added, “Students passing out of class V who are under the age of 11 years are eligible for admission, and they will have to go through a written test and interview.”
He, however, said that in this academic session, two new courses including samved (kauthum shakha) and shukla yajurved (kandav shakha) have been introduced this year. For the new courses, teachers have already been appointed.
Sharma said that there had been no admissions in vedic vidyalayas for the past two years due to the Covid pandemic. “But we have opened admissions for 20 students along with accommodation facility this year,” he added.
Currently, over 50 students are pursuing their studies (seven-year courses) at these two vedic schools through online mode.
Maharshi Bhardwaj Ved Vidya Samiti and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) are currently running over 27 vedic vidyalayas across the country where around 1,000 children are being imparted lessons in vedas and vedang.
In Prayagraj’s two vedic vidyalayas, the authorities, acknowledging their growing popularity, are focussed on imparting quality education, strengthening the schools’ infrastructure as well introducing new subjects.
Acharya Sharma, meanwhile, claimed that no fees was charged from students, and on an average, Rs 4,000-5,000 is spent on a student monthly by the organisation.
“At vedic vidyalayas, a seven-year course in vedas is being offered to the students. The academic session usually starts in July-end or August. The acharyas teach students with new methods of veda learning. In the past five years, the popularity of such schools has increased manifold, and many western countries are offering graduate-level courses in vedas, sanskrit, Hindu philosophy, yoga, ayurveda, jyotishi and medicine,” said Sharma.