A healthy body results in a healthy mind. This dimension trains a student to overcome his/her physical limitations and strive for excellence.

As an example, we look at the philosophy and evolution of sports, we cannot miss the fact that the fundamental premise of sport is to express energy channelised through an activity for realising the inner potential. Though competitive sport is a mode of bringing out ‘the best,’ the philosophy of sport and the fine arts has and will always be to express ‘one’s best.’ Every participant should be motivated to bring out his/her inner potential.

The key elements of the Physical Dimension, include the following:

• Sports
• Games
• Jogging
• Exercises and Yogasanas
• Annual Sports & Cultural Meet

These are a part of the daily routine of all students. From yoga classes to fitness training, from team sports to individual sports, students are encouraged to overcome their limitations and excel in these activities.

The university has excellent sports facilities.

The philosophy of service at SSSIHL enables a student to experience the deep inner satisfaction of giving joy to others through selfless service. It is based on the concept that divinity pervades all of humanity, and hence when you serve others, you are serving the Divine. Students learn to serve without expecting anything in return, other than the deep inner satisfaction of serving others.

The compulsory residential system, where students live in dormitory-styled accommodation with other students from totally different backgrounds (for a minimum of two years and up to five years or more), provides an excellent foundation for the service dimension. The following are its key elements, engrained into the system:

• Self-Reliance departments: Electricals, Plumbing (water supply), Audiovisual, general store, dispensary, dietary services, hostel mess, arts & crafts, costumes & props, etc.
• Community living
• Social Work
• Voluntary work
• Prasadam Distribution
• Grama Seva
• Community Service

While most of these activities are carried out in the hostel, the community service aspect really stands out. For a detailed preview to how our students and teachers are involved in service of the communities around them, visit our Community Service page.

The Spirit of Self Reliance

A major portion of the functioning of the Hostel is taken care of by the students and resident staff members. The guiding principles of the Hostel are a simple life coupled with self-reliance. The students do their work with least dependence on external agencies. To inculcate the dignity of labour and respect for work, most functions and departments of the Hostel are run by students under the able guidance of resident faculty. The self-reliance departments include:

• House Keeping (Maintenance, Electrical, Carpentry, Plumbing, Landscaping, Drinking Water Plant)
• Academic support (Library, Computer Centre, Photocopying, Tutorials)
• Health care (Paramedical and First aid assistance, General hygiene, Dietary Services)
• Entertainment (Multimedia and Audio-visuals for in-house entertainment, Sound engineering and Recording)
• Support Services (General Stores, Transport services)
• Culinary (Catering Services, Dietics, Fruits and Snacks, Bakery)
• Fine Arts (Arts, Crafts, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Brass Band, Photography)
• Performing Arts (Dance, Dramatics and Costumes, Theatre, Public Speaking, Quiz)
• Publications (Books and Newsletters – relating to the education system and interaction with and messages of the Revered Founder Chancellor)
• Spiritual Activities (Festivals, select Ceremonies and Rituals to encourage the spirit of traditional Indian culture and heritage)

These self-reliance activities enable students to become self-confident and independent, and also contribute to leadership and entrepreneurial development. The distinctive feature of these self-reliance departments is the aspect of continuity, in spite of batches of final year students graduating and passing out of the university every year. This is facilitated through an effective succession planning in the traditional gurukula style; wherein the senior students train their junior successors before graduating.

The involvement of students in self reliance activities, trains them in time management, enhances their skill sets, fuels their latent talents and creativity – channelising them into productive activities. Other benefits include spirit of teamwork, group dynamics, spirit of selfless-service and enhanced sensitivity. Above all it builds, self-confidence and yields self-satisfaction.