INSTITUTIONAL DISTINCTIVENESS
The Legacy
The institution named after the great Saint and philosopher Jagadguru Adi Sankaracharya has the vision to perpetuate his teachings and to nurture his birthplace as a cultural citadel. The Institution’s Vision is “To achieve Excellence in Higher Education, with a stress on Creativity, Competence, Skill Development, Employability, Personal values, Compassion and Social Commitment”, that can provide innovative leadership in all walks of life. Thus, teachers impart ‘Vidya’ to the students which kindles an undying spiritual and intellectual enlightenment, fulfilling our motto: ‘Vidya’ alone leads to ‘Amruthathva’ – the Supreme Realisation.
The Uniqueness
Sree Sankara College is unique in propagating the Philosophy of Advaita Vedanta of Jagadguru Adi Sankaracharya, after whom the institution is named, as well as in preserving and popularising Sanskrit, the Heritage language of the nation. The institution gives thrust to Advaita Vedanta - the doctrines of Adi Sankara, in the dissemination of knowledge to its students. By incorporating traditional Philosophies and heritage languages, the institution integrates Indian Knowledge systems to its curriculum.
Propagation and Upliftment of Sanskrit Language
The department of Sanskrit in particular, ensures that the doctrines of Jagadguru Adi Sankaracharya is effectively promoted, uplifted and preserved.
The department which focuses on Advaita Vedanta in its Undergraduate and Post Graduate programmes, has been elevated to the status of a research department, approved by Mahatma-Gandhi University, in 2006. The department publishes a research journal Sadvidya which is in tune with the motto of the institution and in association with Thrikkaikkaattu Swamiyar Madom disseminates Indian philosophy, Sanskrit language, and literature to common man, through weekly contact classes. The classes are conducted in three batches, with an average enrolment of 70 students every year. The admission is open to all irrespective of caste, creed, gender, and age.
The department is involved in the conservation of invaluable palm-leaf manuscripts through digitalisation. The department already possesses over 7000 folios of such digitized manuscripts, thus saving many manuscripts from destruction. The students are also trained for doing this practice. The team visits local families who possess the manuscripts and starts the digitizing procedure then and there.
The Department of Sanskrit observes commemorative days, such as, Gurupoornima Day, Sankara Jayanthi Day, every year, to instil the sense and awareness of Indian heritage and values in its students.
Sanskrit day is also observed every year to make the students feel responsible of propagating, preserving and nurturing Sanskrit language.
Utilisation of Government Funds and Research Grants
The Department of Sanskrit successfully brings in Government funded projects and schemes in implementing the above-said missions.
|
Project |
Agency |
Amount |
|
Intellectual Traditions and Philosophical Contributions of Swamiyar Madhoms of Kerala |
ICPR |
500000 |
|
Relevance of Vriksayurveda in Contemporary Agrarian Scenario |
ICSSR |
200000 |
|
Evening School Project (2 Nos) |
CSU |
800000 |
|
Summer Course Project |
CSU |
450000 |
|
Lecture Series/Seminars/Workshops |
ICPR |
400000 |
Integration of Indian Knowledge System
The NEP 2020, by recognising the rich heritage of Indian knowledge systems and Philosophy, envisages to integrate and put into practice the indigenous knowledge and traditional ways of learning into the curriculum such as Mathematics, Yoga, Philosophy, Architecture, Medicine, Linguistics, etc. On close heels to this vision, the institution has initiated steps to include courses that integrates Indian Knowledge systems in various aspects. The Department offers traditional training in Indian knowledge systems with the aim of sensitizing students to classical traditions and practices. The primary objective of these programs is to explore how research in fields such as Science, Medicine, and Mathematics can be applied to Vedic Systems.
The various programmes and courses offered are listed below:
The Programme on Vaastu Shastra for practitioners runs with a view to explore India’s intellectual, scientific and artistic knowledge traditions. The uniqueness of this course lies in the way it is designed to lead the student to an intimate understanding of the classical thought traditions and practices of Indian civilization through an insider’s perspective.
Learning Resources
In terms of resources, the Sanskrit section of the General Library boasts of an impressive collection of 5,000 volumes, while the department library houses approximately 1,000 volumes. This collection includes rare books on Vedabhashyas, Vasthu Sastra, Medicine, and more. There is a continuous addition of volumes to enrich the library's resources. With the intention of preserving and promoting Sanskrit Sastras, the department has conducted several training programs.
In collaboration with the Mathematics, Sanskrit, and Statistics departments, Sree Sankara College and the Institute for the Advancement of Vedic Mathematics (IAVM) jointly organized an International Conference on Vedic Mathematics. An MoU was signed with IAVM, paving the way for a Vedic mathematics course for undergraduates.
Other Programmes for Students