New Delhi: With Vedas on their lips, bows and arrows in their hands, and judo-karate in their skills, girls of Panini Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Varanasi are not only challenging the manusmriti but also setting a perfect example of women empowerment and self-defense.
Established on the ancient method of teaching, this ‘Gurukul’ based school is not only spreading knowledge in Sanskrit but under the Mission Shakti campaign launched by UPCM Yogi Adityanath Ji, Panini Mahavidyala is also providing training in karate, judo, martial arts, Archery, swords, and horse riding.
The school received the title of ‘Mahavidhyalaya’ because it provides similar education grasped by convent school students. Not only Sanskrit, but students here also study subjects like science, computer, Hindi, English, social studies, etc.
Panini Kanya Mahavidhyala provides education to girls from the age of 8 to 20. After completing their education, girls receive the titles of ‘Shastry’ and ‘Acharya’ and are also allowed to get the official diploma degree from Sampurnand Sanskrit University, Varanasi. Students from Nepal, Srilanka, America, Holland, etc also gain knowledge in this phrontistery.
The girls of Panini say it is important to have knowledge of physical education. Acharya Nandita said, “Every school should provide physical training to the girls so that they can defend their well-being from harm and crimes. With mental strength, in today’s time, physical strength is also a must.”
Appreciating the successful drive “Mission Shakti”, one of the student’s parents from Rajasthan stated, “For us, it is very difficult to send our girls to another state for studies but the way Uttar Pradesh Government is looking after the security and well-being of women and children, we have confidently got her admission done in Varanasi without any second thought.”
Students Jaya and Aarya from Panini Vidhya Mahavidyalaya said that if we are mature enough to control mental violence then we are also strong enough to fight against physical violence.
It is to be mentioned that girls at Panini Kanya Mahavidhyalaya also perform Vedic fire rituals, traditional sixteen Hindu Sanskaar, and sanskars for other Brahmins.