TAMIL NADU, INDIA, March 4, 2008: (HPI Note: this article was sent by HPI on March 4, but the contact e-mail was incorrect. The correct one is cvpacrhsrjpm@dataone.in) New books. Used books. All books are welcomed by two institutions in the deep south of India. When Hinduism Today editorial staff was traveling in Tamil Nadu in February, we were taken to several stellar schools and libraries. One school, the Chinmaya Vidalaya in Rajapalayam, India, has over 700 students on the campus (and a 750-year-old Baobab tree!)
The students sat on mats, all in uniform and more disciplined than you’re likely to see anywhere in the West these days. They listened to Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami give a talk under a giant tree. The principles shared their lack of text books, and appealed to us to have any and all texts sent to them.
Specifically, they need K to 12 texts on all subjects: biology, history, math, science, English, you name it. They can use one book, or up to 36 for a room. This is a dynamic educational institution, with negligible access to good learning tools. If you are interested in helping, or know someone who has access to books not being used, please contact: S.S. Ramachandra Raja at cvpacrhsrjpm@dataone.in