
An ancient model
on the cutting edge
A brief history of the
Indian Education Model
The mission of Akshar Foundation is to spread the Indian Education Model throughout the world.
The Indian Education Model is the foundation of an ancient system of knowledge gathering and transmission, a continuous culture spanning nearly 5000 years in the past to the present. The Indian tradition can be contrasted with the Occidental tradition of the West, which emerged from Ancient Greece. The Occidental tradition believes in mind-body separation. The mind is treated as a separate entity, the focus of Western education.
The Indian model of holistic education promoted by Akshar Foundation dates back to antiquity, a model that develops the whole child, mind, as well as body. The Indian Education Model views mind-body separation as false, an assumption which modern science is increasingly confirming. As such, education was designed to focus as much on abstract academics (Languages, Maths, Science, etc.) as on practical arts and hands-on learning — experiential learning, skills development, and physical conditioning by developing muscle memory. Boiled down to its simplest form: Learning by Doing.
The Indian tradition balanced mind and body to produce and export quasi-secular knowledge systems like Buddhism, Yog, and Kung-Fu all over the world. Hu Shih, a late scholar and former Ambassador of the Republic of China to the US once stated, “India conquered and dominated China culturally for 20 centuries without ever having to send a single soldier across her border”. This cultural hegemony extended to most of Asia, not only China. Today, these ideas are gaining more and more prominence in the West, including a mainstream belief in holistic approaches, Gandhian Ahimsa (non-violent protest), Eastern medicine, Eastern philosophy, Karma, and “Yoga”.
The Indian tradition exported the counting system that the whole world uses, decimals that cycle through 10 digits — forming the basis of modern algebra and all modern mathematics and science — as well as producing major innovations in the foundations of mathematics, physics, medicine and other sciences.
Schrodinger, Heisenberg, Bohr, and Oppenheimer were among the chief founders of Quantum Physics, the field of science which split the atom and birthed the transistor, creating the dual Nuclear Age and Computer Age that we live in. Their ideas about the nature of reality emerged from the mathematics, but when they needed the concepts to understand their equations, to understand Quantum Mechanics, they turned to the Indian knowledge tradition for conceptual clarity.
Erwin Schrödinger, known for “Schrödinger’s Cat”, a thought experiment explaining the counter-intuitive quantum superposition of particles, reportedly said “The unity and continuity of Vedanta are reflected in the unity and continuity of wave mechanics.”
Werner Heisenberg, known for the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle dictating the quantum mechanics of sub-atomic particles reportedly remarked, “After the conversations about Indian philosophy, some of the ideas of Quantum Physics that seemed so crazy suddenly made much more sense.”
Niels Bohr, who created the atomic model used by scientists, reportedly stated “I go into the Upanishads to ask questions.”
India contributed many founders of modern physics as well, including Satyendranath Bose, the founder of Quantum Statistics who collaborated with Einstein and after whom the sub-atomic particle known as a “Boson” was named, as well as many others like Raman, Chandrasekhar, and Ramachandran. Few so-called “Third World Nations” could boast such major contributions to modern science, despite being hobbled by colonialism.

The Indian tradition was the foundation of Mahatma Gandhi’s Nai Talim education philosophy, which failed to become official policy during his lifetime. We believe this is because Nai Talim in practice at the time was too rigid, and failed to adapt to the modern requirements of a nation-state.
So, the nation opted to implement the Western model instead, leading to the creation of world-renowned centers of excellence like the Indian Institute of Technology, which export scientists and engineers all over the world, but which suffer from staggering inequality and neglect the needs of the average student.
Since then, NGOs and schools like Anand Niketan Akhil Bhartiya Nai Talim Samita, and Akshar Foundation, among many others, have worked to promote the adoption of the Indian Education Model. At Akshar, we believed the Indian Education Model should be based firmly in Indian Philosophy, but also integrate the best parts of the Western tradition, like modern science and technology.
In 2019, the Indian Model at Akshar went viral in news outlets all over the world. Niti Aayog, the apex public policy think-tank of the Government India, as well as the United Nations, and the World Economic Forum all showed their support for Akshar's Indian model in press releases and social media.
In 2020, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced India's new National Education Policy (NEP 2020), to create the modern Indian Model of Education, and beginning the shift to schools based on the Indian tradition.
In 2021, the Government of India agreed to adopt the Akshar NEP 2020 model in five schools in Assam, as a pilot for state-wide implementation.
In 2022, the Government of India conducted in-depth assessments of Akshar Forum, our experimental model school, as well as other schools and gurukuls throughout India based on the the Indian Model of Education. A few weeks later, Prime Minister Modiji announced PM SHRI Schools, 14,500 schools based on the new Indian Education Model. Green schools with a holistic approach, focused on vocational skills development and mastery of technology. The paradigm has shifted.


Ideas can spread around the world
In loving memory of

Shaila Asave
Guiding Light and Mentor for Akshar Foundation
Trustees

Prof. Alaka Sarma
Founder & Managing Trustee/ Executive Director

Co-Founder/ Associate Director (Operations)

Co-Founder/Associate Director (Curriculum)
Advisory Board

Cpt. Raghu Raman
Leadership Consultant,
Adani Group
Fmr. CEO, National Intelligence Grid

Raageshweri Loomba Swaroop
Mindfulness Author & Speaker
Accomplished Singer & Actress

Dr. Holly Shaw
International Council of Nurses, Representative to the United Nations DGC

Chetna Sinha
Founder, Mann Deshi
Co-chair, World Economic Forum, Davos '18
Board of Consultants

Himanshu Agarwal
Akshar CFO (pro-bono)
Partner, NC Karnany & Co.

Mihir Bharali
Senior Software Engineer, Walmart Global Tech

Samudra Sarangi
Akshar CLO (pro-bono)
Partner, Law offices of Panag and Babu

Miguel Galaz
General Manager, Prime Matter Consulting

Sylvie Levitae
Cloud Architect, VP Akshar US Board of Directors

Keesha Jones
Philanthropy Consultant, Akshar Foundation US

Founder, KEWO
Akshar Government School Liaison, Madhya Pradesh
Central Office

Simi Talukdar
Personal Assistant

Kalyan Jyoti Borah
HR Officer

Dikshita Goswami
Accountant

Satabdi Das
Swachh Schools Coordinator

Biswajit Choudhury
IT Officer

Chimpi Boruah
Asst. to The Director

Jyotideep Dutta
Communication Officer
Field Supervisors

Zone Supervisor
Saraighat

Surbhi Ranjan
District Supervisor
Kamrup Rural

Rashmin Gani Shaikh
Program Lead
Mumbai

District Supervisor
Morigaon

Yogendra Singh Chauhan
Program Lead
Jabalpur, MP

Karabi Borah
District Supervisor
Nalbari
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Subhankar Dey
District Supervisor
Kamrup Rural
Akshar Forum Model School

Akanchha Dubey
Principal

Geetamoni Tumung
Junior Teacher

Munmi Talukdar
School Coordinator

Gitika Rangshal
Junior Teacher

Gaurav Das
Senior Teacher

Math Teacher
Junior Teacher

Rhituraj Talukdar
Vocational Coordinator

Devraj Haloi
Junior Teacher

Nishi Sarkar
Groundskeeper

Moon Deka
Student Transport/ Chef
Content Team

Nayana Das
Content Editor

Chinmay Kher
Content Writer

Kunal Rughe
Content Writer

Reshma Ahmed
Content Writer
Kamrup Metro

Nayanmani Basumatary
Akshar Coordinator

Gitali Baruah
Akshar Coordinator

Sushmita Paul
Akshar Coordinator

Liza Hazarika
Schools Coordinator

Puja Gogoi
Junior Social Worker

Puja Baishya
Akshar Coordinator

Ruli Deka
Junior Social Worker

Kasmiri Sarma
Akshar Coordinator

Cliffvian Beh
Junior Social Worker

Harshita Bhagawati
Schools Coordinator
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Jyotimoy Hazarika
Junior Social Worker

Urmi Sarkar
Akshar Coordinator
Kamrup rural

Subhankar Dey
District Spervisor

Priyangana Goswami
Akshar Coordinator

Raktim Kalita
Akshar Coordinator

Surbhi Ranjan
District Supervisor

Jinti Mani Das
Junior Social Worker

Apu Kumar Das
Akshar Coordinator

Kinkar Jyoti Deka
Akshar Coordinator

Nabanita Nath
Akshar Coordinator
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Jitumoni Bhuyan
Junior Social Worker

Md Miftahur Hoque
Junior Social Worker

Priyanka Choudhury
Junior Social Worker

Gitashree Kakati
Junior Social Worker
Morigaon District

Sandip Choudhury
District Spervisor

Manisha Khataniar
Junior Social Worker

Trishna Bora
Akshar Coordinator

Shikha Borkakati
Junior Social Worker

Krishna Devi
Akshar Coordinator

Manas Protim Nath
Junior Social Worker

Darpana Medhi
Junior Social Worker

Achyut Krishna Medhi
Junior Social Worker

Nisha Singha
Akshar Coordinator
Nalbari District

Karabi Borah
District Supervisor

Apurba Sarma
Akshar Coordinator

Amlan jyoti Barman
Junior Social Worker

Bhrigu Kumar Rajbongshi
Schools Coordinators

Dipankar Deka
Akshar Coordinator

Parishmita Lahkar
Junior Social Worker

Priyanka Bhattacharjya
Akshar Coordinator

Jimi Rekha Sarma
Junior Social Worker

Priyanka Das
Junior Teacher

Ananya Kalita
Akshar Coordinator

Upasana Das
Junior Social Worker
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Papi Deka
Junior Social Worker
DhekiaJuli District

Bhaskar Jyoti Lekhok
District Supervisor

Pranjit Deka
Junior Social Worker

Niranjan Kumar Nath
Akshar Coordinator

Edlin Minj
Junior Social Worker

Rashmita Raut
Akshar Coordinator

Hitesh Koch
Akshar Coordinator
JORHAT District

Rajarshi Mohan Neog
District Supervisor

Angelina Bordoloi
Akshar Coordinator

Bhaswat Gogoi
Akshar Coordinator

Rajkumar Pratah Likhok
Akshar Coordinator

Swagata Devi
Akshar Coordinator

Rajib Hatimota
Junior Social Worker

Bidyut Bikash Gogoi
Junior Social Worker

Baishali Bora
Junior Social Worker

Porishmita Gogoi
Junior Social Worker

Ankur Borah
Junior Social Worker
SIVASAGAR District

Parthapratim Gogoi
Associate District Supervisor

Bitopi Borthakur
Akshar Coordinator

Tridev Gogoi
Akshar Coordinator

Hironmoyee Dowarah
Junior Social Worker

Puja Chetia
Junior Social Worker

Pushpanjali Gogoi
Junior Social Worker

Risha Priya Chetia
Junior Social Worker

Santanu Bora
Junior Social Worker

Sanchita Rongpipi
Junior Social Worker

Sabrin Rahman
Akshar Coordinator
CHARAIDEO District

Amlandeep Gogoi
Akshar Coordinator

Satabdi Borgohain
Schools Coordinator

Kamana Deka
Junior Social Worker

Parinita Das
Junior Social Worker

Progyashree Gogoi
Junior Social Worker

Chandika Gogoi
Junior Social Worker

Bhugiyan Gogoi
Junior Social Worker
mumbai team

Rashmin Gani Shaikh
Program Lead

Anirudh Vinod Patil
Akshar Coordinator

Akanksha Subhash More
Trainee Social Worker

Sejal Devanand Kamble
Junior Social Worker

Wahid Shaikh
Junior Social Worker

Kunal Rughe
Content Writer

Shruti Gopal Chheda
Trainee Social Worker

Kiran Dilip Kalekar
Junior Social Worker
JABALPUR team

Yogendra Singh Chauhan
Program Lead

Priyanka Tiwari
Akshar Coordinator
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Madhulata Tiwari
Junior Social Worker

Harsh Tiwari
Akshar Coordinator

Suyarsh Shrivastava
Akshar Coordinator

Aparna Yadav
Junior Social Worker

Rohit Lodhi Patel
Akshar Coordinator

Mausami Gautam
Junior Social Worker

Vivek Dutt Dubey
Junior Social Worker
Vocational training team

Fukur Ali
Landscape Instructor
Kamrup Metro

Madhav Upadhaya
Electrician Instructor
Kamrup Metro

Nripen Ch Barman
Electrician Instructor
Kamrup Metro

Bipul Boro
Landscape Instructor
Dhekiajuli

Ratul Choudhury
Landscape Instructor
Morigaon

Razibul Haque
Health Instructor
Kamrup Metro

Ranjit Rabha
Bamboo Craft Instructor
Dhekiajuli

Tutu Bordoloi
Tailoring Instructor
Morigaon

Juri Devi
Tailoring Instructor
Nalbari

Nagen Talukdar
Vocational Trainer
Kamrup Rural

Mohan Saikia
Vocational Trainer
Sivasagar

Abala Kalita
Vocational Trainer
Kamrup Rural

Lakshmi Kanta Talukdar
Vocational Trainer
Nalbari

Loknath Satnami
Vocational Trainer
Sivasagar

Bipul Phukan
Carpentry Instructor
Kamrup Metro

Hrishikesh Medhi
Photography Instructor
Kamrup Metro

Kamal Nath
Landscape Instructor
Morigaon

Niranjan Shil
Electrician Instructor
Dhekiajuli

Raifun Nehar
Vocational Trainer
Kamrup Metro

Priyanka Hazarika
Vocational Trainer
Jorhat

Champak Talukdar
Sports Instructor
Kamrup Metro

Mamu Deka
Tailoring Instructor
Morigaon

Ajit Saloi
Bamboo Craft Instructor
Kamrup Metro

Ranjit Medhi
Carpentry Instructor
Dhekiajuli

Jutika Gogoi
Vocational Trainer
Sivasagar

Dipankar Borah
Vocational Trainer
Jorhat
Support Staff- Central office

Arjun Thakuri
Driver

Amar Prasad
Driver

Mahesh Talukdar
Driver

Nripen Talukdar
Security

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Partners
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ECOSOC
Economic and Social Council








