To create cheerful environment for budding nation-builders, the Delhi Government on Monday launched “Happiness Curriculum” for students of Government schools. The curriculum will involve a “Happiness” period of 45 minutes for all students studying in nursery up to class VIII at all the Delhi Government schools. Each class will begin with a five minute meditation practice.
Encouraging young minds on the occasion, spiritual leader the Dalai lama said India can lead the world by uniting the modern and ancient knowledge and help it overcome negative emotions.
Congratulating the Delhi Government for its initiative to include “Happiness curriculum” in its schools, the Dalai lama said, “Only India has the ability to combine modern education with ancient knowledge which is necessary for fulfilment of human emotions.”
He said such a combination will pave way for physical and mental well-being, solving troubles caused due to negative and destructive emotions like anger, hatred and jealousy.
The Dalai lama called for revival of the ancient Indian knowledge in the country of its origin and its subsequent spread across the world, including the countries following Buddhism.
“By reviving this ancient knowledge, India can become the modern Guru,” he said.
Seeking blessings from the Dalai lama, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal termed the occasion “historical”. Kejriwal termed the ‘Happiness curriculum’ launched on Monday as the third stage of reforms in education sector initiated by his Government after focusing on infrastructure development and motivation of teachers at the Government schools.
“Education is our topmost priorities. The Centre and other State Governments should give one year, focussing on education at a war-footing,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that there was a need to “overhaul” the present education system that has not been able to produce “good human being” and added that “Happiness Curriculum” was a “solid step” towards this aim.
Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister, Manish Sisodia, who conceived the curriculum, asserted that the experiment might one day spread across the country and the world as well.
“The effect of this involving 10 lakh students and around 50,000 teachers can be imagined. It is our belief that the modern day problems like terrorism, corruption and pollution can be solved through schools and a human centric education,” Sisodia said.
The Happiness Curriculum, including meditation, value education, and mental exercises, was designed and prepared by a team of 40 Delhi Government teachers, educators and volunteers over a period of six months, he said.
The Ministers of the Delhi Government, besides a large number of teachers and officials of Education directorate of the State Government, attended the function.