Prabhuswami P, Shri Guru Vidhya Vikas Kendra, Mysore
In a small village in Mysore, where dreams often seemed out of reach, a few visionaries envisioned a brighter future through education. With the guidance of Swamiji, they started Shri Guru Vidhya Vikas Kendra in 1991, determined to bring learning to children who had never seen the inside of a classroom. The school began in a modest rented space, becoming the first in the village to offer classes from LKG to 10th grade.
“We started with nothing but a belief—that every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and dream,” shares Prabhuswami P, the school’s headmaster.
The school expanded to nearby villages as the years passed, growing from primary classes to high school. “Education is not just about books or classrooms. It’s about building lives and opening doors to once unimaginable opportunities,” he says.
Background
Prabhuswami shares, “I grew up in a farming family without formal schooling. I’m the only one among my siblings who got to study more.” His path from a tiny village to running a school has drawn inspiration from his teachers and a deep trust in education’s strength.
He recounts, “In 2001, I had just finished my B.Ed and was waiting for my results. Even so, they made me headmaster, and I’ve been in that role ever since. This school has become a lifeline for the area giving students chances to learn and develop that they wouldn’t have had otherwise.”
He adds, “Teaching isn’t just work; it’s a mission. As the principal, each challenge and success shows me that education is the way to better not just people, but whole communities.”
Dealing WIth Challenges
Running a school in a rural area is never easy. Prabhuswami shares, “With very little financial support, we’ve kept fees low and relied on grants to keep going. When the pandemic hit and fee collection became nearly impossible, we still ensured that our teachers were paid, even if it meant taking hand loans.” Through all these struggles, the school remained a place of hope, where every child was given the chance to build a brighter future.
A Seamless Partnership With Varthana
He shares, “Infrastructure has always been a challenge for us, but with Varthana’s support, we’ve built classrooms and improved facilities.” It all started when the Varthana team visited the school, explained its features and the school became interested. “They quickly handled the paperwork, including the mortgage, and approved the loan. Since then, our relationship with Varthana has been positive.”
“In 2011, we took a loan of ₹20 lakhs for construction. A few years later, we took another ₹50 lakhs, which will be repaid this year,” he explains. “With Varthana’s help, we’ve created a space that now serves 260 students, offering classes from LKG to 8th grade in English.”
He adds, “Varthana’s support has been crucial during key moments of growth.” The loan process was smooth. “We provided the necessary documents easily. The registration was done in 10 to 15 minutes.” With a smile, he recalls how everything came together, thanks to this partnership.
Innovative Learning and Community Engagement
Prabhuswami says, “Our education isn’t just about books. Every Saturday, we hold activities like debates, science experiments, quizzes, and even a ‘Children’s Market’ where students develop entrepreneurial skills.” He adds, “During daily assemblies, students recite Vachanas, read newspapers, and share riddles to keep the energy high and the environment engaging.”
National festivals and competitions are celebrated with enthusiasm, helping students develop a sense of cultural pride and teamwork.
The Philosophy of Service
“Our institution was never established with a profit-driven mindset,” Prabhuswami explains. “Inspired by Shivaratri Rajendra Swamiji, our core belief has always been ‘education as service.’ The community’s support, along with the tradition of Dasoha (offering and sharing), has been vital in sustaining and expanding our mission.”
He adds, “Even during tough financial times, we always prioritized the welfare of our students and staff. Parents who couldn’t afford fees were never pressured.” The school adapted to these challenges by offering online lessons, distributing free study materials, and creating WhatsApp groups to continue the learning process.
Building Leaders – One Student at a Time
The greatest joy of being an educator is seeing the success of students. Prabhuswami shares, “Over the years, our alumni have gone on to become police officers, bank managers, and professionals in various fields.”
One story that stands out is that of Sushmita, a brilliant student from a humble background. “She scored 623/625 in her SSLC exams and is now excelling in her studies. Her journey shows our current students that determination and hard work can break any barrier.”
Looking Forward
As the school is close to completing its financial commitments, including the major loans taken for construction, its aspirations continue to grow. Prabhuswami shares, “My vision is to establish a PU college, especially for girls, where they can learn in a safe and empowering environment.” He adds, “Our president also dreams of starting an old-age home to support the elderly in our community.”
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