Gaiatree – Gayatri : Bridge between East and West

In Vishvaneedam - where the universe is an abode - we have planted a tree. Deeply rooted with Mother Earth - Gaia, from ancient Greek - it can be the foundation for hope and love. Our Gaiatree School offers this to twelve children aged between three and five since its foundation in July 2010.
In order to drive the project further, a lot of effort and struggle will be necessary in the future. This can only be realized if everybody cooperates, and will be based on the support our friends offer.

In ancient Indian scripts, Gayatri (from Sanskrit) is also the partner of Brahma, the sustainer of the world. At the same time, she is the Goddess of Learning. The Gayatri mantra is well-known to every child. It is an indispensable part of everyday life and symbolizes the "mother of all Vedas" (Vedas being the ancient scripts of the Rishis).

Gaiatree - Gayatri: two different names from different worlds with a similar meaning. We think that this can be the bridge between the East and the West, between the Old and the New world, in the future. We would like to invite everyone, irrespective of their nationality, religious confession, race, or caste so the universe can grow.

Vision of Vishwaneedam

Viswaneedam is a community in ‘quest for truth’.

People around the world, who want to lead a life in quest for truth, are invited to Vishwaneedam to join our community. The guiding principle that is applicable to everyone in equal measure is sincerity with oneself. Here everybody contributes as per one’s capacity but consumes as per one’s need.

In the world, there are many divisions based on religion, race, ethnicity, nation, community, culture, politics etc. We refuse to live by these divisions and would like to live a collective life, thus serving as a living example for the world.

Of course, Vishwaneedam is also part of this world and has to face its problems. That is, we are not trying to run away from the world. We would rather like to show to the world that irrespective of our apparent divisions, there are elements of unity deep inside every single one of us.

We believe that our actions in Vishvaneedam will also influence the world in one way or another. And we clearly see that, even if a single individual lives in Viswaneedam in ‘quest for truth’ with honesty and sincerity to oneself, it will have a far reaching positive impact in the world.

Ananta with wife Twinkle and son Evan

Anke, Eugen and Ananta

Mike at the teacher training

Interview with Ananta the founder of Vishwaneedam.

What is the meaning of Vishwaneedam?
It is a Sanskrit name from Yajur veda Yatra: Vishwabhavateikaneedam. It means "Where the Universe Is An Abode". Here we are 3 families from Orissa living together since 2009 and our aim is to universalize the opportunities. All together we are 10 persons.

Can you explain something about your daily life in the community?We do almost all the activities together, for instance, we work on the farm to cultivate vegetables for our kitchen everyday, we eat together. In the evening we do the meditation and read sacred scripture like Bhagvat Gita, Veda, Upanisad and books of Sri Aurobindo, the Mother, Swami Vivekanand and other great personalities of world. Here we all are like a chain. One member`s problem is the problem for the whole community so we all try to solve it together. Therefore, the problem does not seem like a problem to the concerned member. We share everything with each other so life becomes very easy and comfortable. At the same time, we are trying to help the surrounding villagers whenever they have a problem.

Viswaneedam is in a village area in the northwest of Orissa, one of the most beautiful parts of India. Also, this area is one of the poorest parts of India. Why is it so?
Education, we don’t have access to quality education. We have primary schools in almost all the villages but we don’t have enough teachers to run the school. Study materials are a dream for the children. There is a residential school in Benkera village, which has around 400 students but they have only 2 teachers.
Irrigation, there are no good irrigation facilities to cultivate in all the land so we have acres of waste land. We have also natural sources of water but they are not well irrigated. So I think 50% of water is wasted. So there is malnutrition and people do not have enough money to access good medical facilities when they fall sick. This area is also malaria prone and so lots of people catch it and due to poverty they cannot access good medical facilities so they have to suffer a lot and sometimes people die of brain malaria, mostly children.

You plan to found an “integral education school” in Vishwaneedam this year. Please explain: What kind of school you want and what is the aim of this school?
We would like to have a school for the surrounding villages which can help the children to grow their different faculties to optimum and be what they are and become what they want to become so that they can help the nation and mankind to grow. Also we would like to provide food and study materials at very minimum fees so that the parents will feel the responsibities for their children and school.

What has happened in preparation and what would you like to do in next time?
We have already brought the land and we have already had a talk with the parents for our upcoming school. And the parents are very enthusiastic and looking forward to our school with lots of hope and expectation. We have also a temporary building where we can start our school in August. We have already started the fundraising and also conducted teacher workshops so that we can start school without any big hurdle. To grow and fulfill our dream we need lots help and support special for study materials, building, teacher workshops and economical support to provide a nutritious meal to poor village children.