Patna: The state govt is planning to set up an educational and spiritual university near Patna in collaboration with the Art of Living Foundation, education minister Mithilesh Tiwari said on Monday after meeting the organisation’s founder, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, in Bengaluru.Tiwari said the proposed institution would focus on holistic education by integrating Vedic learning with modern science and life skills. The project is also expected to include a meditation centre, Ayurveda centre and Gurukul.The minister said the state education department and the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) would soon sign an MoU with the Art of Living. A team from the organisation is expected to visit Patna shortly to finalise the agreement.According to an official release, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar assured support for developing an educational and spiritual centre near Patna and discussed possible activities in districts such as Gaya, Gopalganj, Darbhanga and Bhagalpur.The discussions also focused on value-based education, teacher training, moral education and integrating traditional Indian knowledge systems with contemporary learning.Tiwari said the initiative would initially be introduced in model schools under the Saraswati Vidya Niketan banner before being expanded in phases. Activities linked to the programme may also be incorporated into “No Bag Day” observed on Saturdays to encourage experiential learning.Under the proposed collaboration, teachers at District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) would receive training through Art of Living programmes and subsequently introduce students to modules on values, moral education and emotional well-being.The minister also invited Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to visit Thawe in Gopalganj district, which he is expected to do next year. Tiwari said the partnership could build on the organisation’s earlier training programmes conducted for officials at BIPARD in Gaya and eventually be extended to teachers across the state.
