95% of students enrolled in Amritapuri Campus are residential students. First-year students are accommodated in hostels located in the ashram premises. Facilities available include large and spacious dining halls, cafes selling wholesome Indian and Western goodies, a juice stall, a provisions’ store, and a western stationary shop.
Wheneven Amma is in the ashram, students have the opportunity to meet Amma and take her blessings. Living in the hostels on campus is akin to having a home away from home, for majority of our students
A Day in the Life of a Student
The day for a residential student begins with worship at Kalari, a temple inside the Ashram. Breakfast is served at 07:00 a.m. Classes begin by 08:30 a.m. Slot time-table is followed by all batches on campus. As per this, class hours for student are 08:30 a.m. to 04:30 p.m.
In accordance with the continuous evaluation system followed by our institution, students are assessed and evaluated throughout the semester. On a given day, it is very likely that students may have project work or quizzes and assignments in several classes. Amrita has a credit-based course curriculum, and assignments, seminars, presentations, practicals, and viva voce are part of daily life on the campus. This system helps inculcate a sense of responsibility among students. It helps them become creative and productive during their study period; this, in turn, helps them when they join a company after completing their studies.
A certain percentage of attendance is mandatory in order to write the examinations in all courses. Lunch break is from 12:00 noon to 01:50 p.m. Students stay back on campus after regular class hours with prior permission. This is required for those who want to use the additional time to complete their laboratory or written assignments. In the evening, students have the opportunity to attend evening bhajans in the Ashram prayer hall. In Amma’s divine presence, they become relaxed after intense college hours. After bhajans, dinner is served till 09:00 p.m.
Yoga and Meditation
IAM Technique is a powerful meditation technique synthesized by Amma to help people find fulfillment in life. When practiced regularly, the technique refines one’s mind — bringing relaxation, concentration, a more expansive sense of self and greater awareness. Ultimately the technique takes practitioners to the goal of human life – realization of the divinity pervading all of creation. Amma’s senior disciples teach the technique free of charge in all parts of the world.
IAM Technique® is taught not only to Amma’s devotees, but also to organizations throughout the world, including corporations, educational institutions and correctional facilities. MAM undertook the massive project of teaching IAM Technique® to India’s 13 lakh [1.3 million] paramilitary personnel. Classes were taught to the Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Sahsra Seema Bal, Central Reserve Police Force and Indo-Tibetan Border Police. Pilot classes were also taught to soldiers of the Indian Army and Navy. Training in IAM Technique® is given to all students on campus. Frequent refresher classes are also conducted.
Student Activities
AMRITA KALOTSAVAM
A two day arts-and-culture event on the campus is conducted by the students to exploit their inherent special talents. Competitions are held house-wise: Amritamayi, Anandamayi, Chinmayi and Jyothirmayi. Facilitated by the staff, students themselves are trained to organize the various events – a part of their life at Amrita.
CAMPUS DAY
Campus day is celebrated every year with an open house meeting of parents, project exhibitions and cultural activities, usually during March – April every year.
SPORTS DAY
One day in the even semester is devoted for competitions in sports where students get the opportunity to exhibit their talents in athletics and games. The facilities provided by the campus help create a healthy spirit of competitiveness in these events.
AMMA’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Amma’s birthday finds an international gathering of Her devotees at Amritapuri in the month of September. Students are encouraged to participate in the service activities initiated by the Math during this time. Three days in September are marked as “service days” for the students of the campus.
ONAM CELEBRATIONS
Onam, the traditional festival of Kerala is celebrated by the students before the start of Onam vacation. The traditional Pulikali, Chenda melam and various folk and modern art forms are the special features of this festive occasion.
Samved
Samved ‘ is the quarterly newsletter for ‘instilling awareness and responsibility among the youth of today regarding the inevitability of cultivating a ‘service attitude’ in us for the survival of mankind. This newsletter highlights the service activities the students and staff of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham volunteer to involve themselves in. It also includes articles that intend to inspire the youth to work for bringing about the urgently needed positive changes in society. The first edition was released on Amma’s 58th birthday.
