ALKA SINGH AND RACHANA PANDEY*
Transition from school to college
One fine day, a group of students with fresh faces but a little bewildered, clearly anxious, were sitting in an open classroom near the riverside area. Perhaps they were the newly admitted students. They became quiet, very quiet, simply watching the river in front.
‘What are you looking at?’
‘Nothing’, one of them responded.
But the ‘nothing’ contained silence, depth and a sense of being one with the surroundings.
For these newly admitted students, the transition—physical, mental, emotional— from school to college involves adapting to major changes and new experiences. Entering the main gate of the college with apprehension and anticipation, they soon discover a strange familiarity and connection with this place. They get a taste of freedom in their movement, attire, and space. It is a stepping-stone to explore what it is that they really want in life. As they spend a considerable amount of time on the campus of Vasanta College for Women, a tremendous change visibly happens. They develop a bond with the place which remains with them forever.
A few months later, a slightly agitated voice was heard that was clearly unhappy:
‘Why are you cutting this tree?’
‘Why are you cutting such an old and huge tree?’ Another raised voice could be heard.
In a few minutes, a number of students gathered around the tree with concern. They were deeply upset. Not being satisfied with the response of the carpenters and workers, they went to the principal. The usual emotion evoked by ‘Principal’s Office’ was momentarily lost in the heat of anguish and their genuine last-minute effort to stop the cutting of the tree. In this was clearly visible the impact that this place already had on them.
In fact, several efforts had been taken up by the college to save the old neem tree between the Psychology Department and the basketball court. It was completely damaged by termites from inside and its trunk was totally hollow despite looking huge. It could fall any moment and that was a huge safety concern. When the matter was explained to them, they accepted it but with some unhappiness. This old neem tree has been etched in the memories of many students for decades. Soon, a few benches were created for the students by using the logs of the same tree so that the essence and existence of the tree remains on the campus. ‘Old gives way to the new’. This did not really register; but it was accepted.
These new students’ responses came as a happy surprise. They had become aware of the nature around, had a sense of belonging towards nature’s plenty; and were also cognizant of man’s disruptive activities against its natural order. Students cannot be passive and blind towards their surroundings; rather, they must be observant and responsible towards their environment. Hence, it is crucial to have an education with emphasis on freedom and a close bonding with nature. This helps one to observe oneself and examine one’s relation with the world. When there is observation, reflection, introspection and self-exploration, they are less likely to be inclined towards violence and hatred. This incident of an old neem tree, the students’ bonding with it, their fearless questioning and yet being open to dialogue—suggests that they are now part of this space that strives to create a non-hierarchical, non-authoritarian, open-ended atmosphere.
The Vasanta College campus is rooted in this idea of freedom—freedom from fear, authority, and the psychological constructs that condition the mind. The students’ participation in the classroom sessions and activities helps them to realize the importance of being able to take their own decisions. Transition from school to college is a movement from ‘spoon feeding’ to ‘self-understanding’—from the rigid protocol of most schools today to an open-ended environment where they are free to explore the world and themselves. Knowledge is necessary for functional purposes, which the students today are well aware of. But true understanding comes from self-enquiry and direct perception rather than intellectual accumulation or adherence to any dogma. The degree acquired with the accumulated knowledge of individuals comes with its own baggage and conditioning. On the other hand, there is no pre-requisite for awareness and wisdom. Simply watching an action, as in observing a bird making her nest or flying back to its nest before sunset, is enough to create a consciousness about it. Conflict arises perhaps when one does not observe, listen or pay attention. This entire movement from school to college, with its challenges and new possibilities, is soon internalized by students in their own special ways.
A brief history of Vasanta College
Vasanta College for Women, situated in the serene surroundings of Rajghat, Varanasi, stands as a living embodiment of Annie Besant’s vision. Nestled along the banks of the river Ganga, the institution blends its principles of education with the spiritual and ecological significance of its location. The river, revered as a source of life and inspiration, amplifies the college’s ethos, creating a unique space where learning and nature coexist harmoniously. Notably, Vasanta College for Women was established on 7 July 1913, by Dr Annie Besant, a leading figure of the Indian National Movement. It started as the Theosophical Collegiate School for Boys and Theosophical Collegiate School for Girls in the Theosophical Society campus, Varanasi. On the establishment of the Society for Promotion of National Education (SPNE) in 1917, the names of both schools were changed to Theosophical National School for Boys and Girls, Banaras. It was affiliated to the National University, Adyar, Chennai. The Girls School became a High School in 1920 and an Intermediate College in 1922 and these were known as Theosophical National Girls School and Women’s College, Banaras. Since 1923, the schools and colleges sent students to the Allahabad University for examinations and later from 1948 to Banaras Hindu University. When the Rishi Valley Trust was founded in 1928, these institutions were transferred to this trust. In 1940s the girls college came to be known as the Vasanta College for Women as a mark of gratitude to Dr Annie Besant, the founder of the College. The college offered BA programmes and the first batch of eight girls appeared in the BA examination as regular students for the first time in 1948.
Vasanta College for Women was shifted to its present campus of Rajghat on the banks of river Ganga in 1954. Its current geographical location at the confluence of rivers Ganga and Varuna has a unique historical significance. Rajghat happens to be the oldest inhabited site in Varanasi, dating back to eighth century BC. The area of Rajghat has a spiritual, intellectual and historical heritage of its own. Buddha is said to have walked through this land on his way to deliver his first sermon at Sarnath. Moreover, the place has been blessed by the presence and intense philosophical dialogues of Sri J Krishnamurti.
The river in the life of the college
The river Ganga and Vasanta College for Women have been inseparable. In the fond reminiscences of every alumna of the college, this bond is indissoluble. The adjective ‘riverside’ is an obvious and unique feature of the college, which makes it stand apart as an academic institute existing in an ecologically conscious environment where the sense of connection with nature naturally develops without being forced. From time to time, teachers and students take a self-guided tour on the path known as the K Trail by the side of the river line to the south—from the college to the downhill fields on the north side and back again. This not only develops their observation skills and the ability to use all their senses by seeing, listening, feeling, but also connects them with the soil and their surroundings. Significantly, when students take such walks, it captures their attention and reduces their screen time as well. The students often say that this place occupies a special place in their hearts, carrying a sense of familiarity and belongingness. ‘Oh, the riverside college, known for its serene environment, academic excellence and legacy’.
The river Ganga holds unrivalled cultural, spiritual, and ecological importance in India. Flowing through the heart of Varanasi, the river serves as a milieu for the pursuit of knowledge and self-awareness. Beyond its spiritual significance, the Ganga is a lifeline for millions. It symbolizes interconnectedness, as its waters flow through diverse terrains, connecting people and ecosystems. In the context of Vasanta College for Women, the river represents the flow of knowledge, the continuity of tradition, the coexistence of tradition and modernity and also the transformative power of education. The presence of the river further emphasizes the bonding and harmony between human existence and nature, which is as old as civilization itself.
The flowing river serves as a living classroom: its ripples, the splashing of the waves, the rise and fall of the waters, teaching the lessons of life, to go ahead in life and never to stop.
Student 1: Can our life flow as smoothly and consistently as the river?
Student 2: It too at times is turbulent.
Student 1: Very seldom, but our life is mostly in turmoil?
Student 3: Does it not depend on how you perceive it?
Student 1: It’s not about perception—we are facing it.
Student 2: So, can we face it without getting disturbed? Can we remain calm in turbulent situations too and just observe it silently …
The river’s calm yet powerful flow serves as a metaphor for life’s journey, encouraging introspection, resilience and humility. The emphasis on harmony with nature resonates with contemporary efforts to address environmental degradation. By fostering a sense of responsibility towards the Ganga and other natural resources, the College contributes to the local and global movements for sustainability and peace. Krishnamurti’s focus on self-awareness and inner peace provides valuable insights for managing stress and anxiety in today’s competitive world. An understanding of oneself by seeking balance and clarity paves a pathway to mental and emotional well-being.
Sitting by the Ganga, one might feel a resonance with K’s idea of observing life without judgment. The river’s eternal flow echoes his insistence on living fully in the present moment—unburdened, unguided by any kind of learning from elsewhere. The effort to inculcate enquiry-based learning where students explore questions rather than accept what they are told; to prepare them for a world full of doubts, anxieties, speculations that culminates in a sojourn of exploration to understand the disorder within. By the tranquil Ganga, one could observe one’s thoughts, emotions, and reactions without judgment and with clarity. Through such observation, individuals could unearth the conditioning that limits their minds. Selfknowledge brings clarity, and clarity leads to freedom. Sitting under the shadow of towering trees by the Ganga, engaged in various dialogues in open air classes, one is reminded of Krishnamurti’s analogy of education as the cultivation of the mind, much like nurturing a garden. He proposed that education must awaken intelligence and creativity, helping individuals to question with a sense of awareness, and develop their own capacity for independent thinking.
Once, for a regular security check in the college, a uniformed officer was talking to the students. He asked, ‘What are the problems that you face outside the college as well as within the premises?’
‘There is no problem, Sir! Our problems are dealt with by ourselves. We know how to deal with it.’ The student responded.
A guiding philosophy in a changing world
The principles of Dr Besant and Krishnamurti are integrated into the educational approach of the College, aiming to provide education that fosters intellectual, emotional, and ethical growth. In our modern education system, the focus often remains on acquiring technical skills and knowledge to compete in the job market. However, education must address fundamental questions about life, death, relationships, and the meaning of existence. In doing so, it becomes a tool for individual and societal transformation and that probably is the kind of education that K talks about. At Rajghat, students and faculty are immersed in an environment conducive to introspection and holistic learning. This educational philosophy offers a blueprint for integrating traditional wisdom with modern learning methodologies. For instance, under NEP 2020, a set of value-added courses are offered to the newly admitted undergraduate students, such as ‘Ayurveda’ and ‘Yoga’, and also ‘Environmental Science’ and ‘Educational Vision of J Krishnamurti’. The curriculum thus encourages students to question, explore, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their surroundings. In an age dominated by technology, competition and consumerism, the teachings on simplicity, awareness, and holistic education offer a much-needed counterbalance. Questioning is emphasized over conforming and this resonates with students grappling with existential dilemmas in a fast-paced, information-saturated world.
‘… the computers can take over all that the man is doing…almost. The computers cannot look at a beautiful tree or at the evening star, single and alone in the sky, or at the morning light on the waters’.1
In an era marked by distractions and information overload, introspection and awareness become more pertinent than ever. It is essential for students to observe and learn from nature. Such observations cultivate awareness, sensitivity, and humility. They also learn the principles of environmental sustainability and understand the importance of ecological responsibility. Machines and new technologies cannot inquire as deeply as the human mind—they cannot watch or reflect; love or show compassion towards fellow beings. In a non-hierarchical atmosphere, learners step away from the rush, observe the world with fresh eyes, and rediscover their innate curiosity. By prioritizing holistic development, Vasanta College for Women prepares students to navigate the complexities of the modern world with clarity and compassion.
1 ‘The Future of Humanity in the Age of AI’, pg. 6 The Pathless, Aug–Nov 2023.