Education is considered the cornerstone of progress for a country. When education is imparted based on the evolving demands of a constantly transforming world, then it not only helps build a nation’s present but also its future. However, education should differ from the mere dissemination of information. Swami Vivekananda said, “Education is not the amount of information that we put into your brain and run riot there, undigested, all your life. We must have life-building, man-making, and character-making assimilation of ideas…. The end of all education, all training, should be man-making.” Hence, educationists and institutions must focus on character formation, mind management, and leadership training, alongside the expansion of the intellect by which one can stand on one’s own feet.
To fulfi l these lofty objectives of India and the world at large, the Jagadguru Kripalu University (JKU), a multidisciplinary university, is being established at Banara, 10 km from Cuttack, and 20 km from Bhubaneswar.
Based on an MoU signed between the Government of Odisha and JKYog, with the noble mission of promoting world-class education including emphasis on Spiritual Sciences, Yogic Sciences, and Naturopathy, the Jagadguru Kripalu University Act of 2020 was passed by the Odisha Legislative Assembly. In May 2023, a gazette notifi cation was also issued by the Higher Education Department of the Government of Odisha, for the formal establishment of the University.
India hosts many premier institutions that equip students with high-class academic qualifi cations and help them secure dream jobs early in life. Despite the increase in literacy and educated individuals, India and the world are witnessing widespread anxiety, rising suicide rates, alcoholism, and drug abuse. Evidently, today’s aspiring youth is falling short of inner strength and character to sustain through the ups and downs of life.
Therefore, JKU has been uniquely envisioned to bridge this void by empowering students with the virtuous qualities of both the head and the heart. Comprehensive education will be offered through an all-round personality development tinged with spiritual wisdom and universal humanitarian values. The curriculum, pedagogy, faculty, and environment at JKU are being designed to inspire young minds and illuminate their intellect with the best of the East and the West. Through the amalgamation of ancient traditions and modern scientifi c spirit, JKU will be the fi rst of its kind to achieve a unique blend of intellectual growth and spiritual development to blossom balanced global leaders and nation-builders in the future.
The university team includes global researchers, entrepreneurs, and educationists who believe in the mission of inner awakening by imparting wisdom, love for higher values, and leadership training for both professional as well as personal life. The curriculum will include academia-industry collaboration and catalyse innovation and problem-solving.
Jagadguru Kripalu University is under construction on a sprawling 100-acre campus with state-of-the-art infrastructure and lush scenic gardens. It is surrounded by the Mahanadi River on one side and the Chanduka forest on the other. Thus, the campus will provide a much-needed nurturing environment for healthy and happy living.
The fi nely built academic block will house the School of Health Sciences, School of Fine Arts, School of Languages, School of Humanities, School of Information Technology, School of Textile Industry, School of Yoga and Naturopathy, and School of Religious Studies and Comparative Religion. A ten-storied girls-hostel and a similar boys-hostel are about to be completed soon, along with staff quarters. Phase II construction will cover the Centre for Rural Economics and Institute for Tribal Development, School for Business Studies, and School of Engineering.
On-campus facilities will include a library block, gymnasium, and sports infrastructure for outdoor and indoor games, modern high-tech classrooms, and auditoriums for recreation and cultural events alongside a multi-purpose hospital for healthcare needs. Roundthe-clock security and CCTV monitoring will be enabled to protect the students and the University. The premises will be alcohol-free, drug-free, smoke-free, and purely vegetarian.
For harmoniously blending medical, yogic, and spiritual education, a 400-bed Multipurpose Hospital is also being built on the campus in a phase-wise manner. In addition to catering to society’s healthcare needs, this hospital will also provide in-service training for courses conducted by the School of Health Sciences.
Swami Mukundananda
Presently, the university campus houses the following:
1) Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya (JKC): A running charitable clinic that provides free medical treatment to the inhabitants of the surrounding villages.
2) Jagadguru Kripalu Yoga and Naturopathy Hospital and Research Centre (JKYNHRC): A 50-bedded Naturopathy hospital, the fi rst of its kind in eastern India to spread healthy living practices by popularising Naturopathy – a natural, non-invasive, and drugless system of healing that rejuvenates the inner healing power of the human body.
3) Jagadguru Kripalu Skill Institute (JKSI): A training school that imparts vocational skills to the rural youth to increase their employability and self-sustenance as per the industry needs.
For the past few years, JKSI has been providing training on stitching, weaving, electrical works, security, computer literacy, etc. which have resulted in the emergence of many rural micro-entrepreneurs and corporate collaborations. The establishment of JKU will enable the provision of free education to the rural youth and strive to uplift the tribal communities of Odisha.
The greatness of a society is not determined by its far-reaching geographic boundaries or wealth but by the citizens upholding and living by higher values of life. The Jagadguru Kripalu University is a landmark step towards fulfi lling the mission of awakening souls to realise their infi nite potential for meaningfully and sustainably contributing towards the national mission of Viksit Bharat.
