Daily recitation of Gita Shlokas scheduled for morning school assemblies in Haryana schools, as per Education Board instruction
In a significant move towards integrating spiritual and moral education into the curriculum, the Haryana School Education Board has directed all schools in the state to begin daily morning prayer assemblies with the recitation of Bhagavad Gita shlokas. This initiative, launched at the Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Lab School, located on the Board's campus in Bhiwani, aims to foster a cultured generation that embodies ideal values and contributes towards fulfilling the Hon'ble Prime Minister's dream of making India a Vishwaguru (world leader).
Dr. Pawan Kumar, Board Chairman, led the event and emphasized the spiritual and cultural relevance of the initiative. He stated that the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is essentially the manual of life, teaching us how our character should be, how we should behave in society, and what our responsibilities are. This belief is shared by Dr. Vinod Anchal, District President of the Health Project under Shri Krishna Kripa Samiti, who believes that the recitation of the Bhagavad Gita will help instill values in children and keep them away from substance abuse.
The morning prayer assemblies with Bhagavad Gita shlokas are a part of a broader effort to promote spiritual and moral education among students in Haryana schools. This approach aligns with recent educational initiatives in Indian states like Uttarakhand, which have made daily Gita shloka recitations mandatory in government schools to integrate traditional Indian knowledge with modern education.
The objective of the initiative is to help students understand the deep spiritual and philosophical wisdom hidden in the Gita and imbibe it in their conduct. Gita shlokas provide profound philosophical insights about life, duty, and self-realization. Their recitation fosters spiritual awareness and emotional maturity by encouraging reflection on one’s role in society and inner self.
Incorporating this recitation into morning prayer rituals helps establish a positive and disciplined start to the school day, reinforcing the habit of mindfulness and focus. It also enhances intellectual understanding as the meaning and the scientific or practical relevance of the shlokas are explained to students, making the learning process intellectually enriching while connecting ancient wisdom to contemporary life.
Moreover, the initiative helps students stay connected to India’s rich philosophical and spiritual heritage, fostering national pride and identity through direct engagement with classical scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita. Swami Gyananand, a proponent of the Bhagavad Gita's teachings, believes in its importance for students' personal and societal growth. He joined the ceremony virtually and extended his blessings to the students.
The implementation of this initiative across all schools in Haryana marks a significant step towards integrating spiritual and moral education into the state's educational system. It is expected to initiate wider discussions on the role of spiritual teachings in modern education, with the hope that it will guide towards building a proud and glorious India, once again known as the golden bird. Dr. Vinod Anchal believes that the teachings of the Gita will shape children's behavior and way of life in a positive and meaningful direction.
This initiative to incorporate Bhagavad Gita shloka recitation in morning prayer rituals is an extension of the focus on spiritual and moral education. It aims to facilitate learning about the profound wisdom of the Gita, which can inspire spiritual awareness, intellectual enrichment, and personal growth.
This educational approach, aligning with similar initiatives in states like Uttarakhand, aims to keep students connected to India's rich philosophical and spiritual heritage, instilling values and fostering national pride.
