Garhwal Post honours
Oxford, 4 Sep: Uttarakhand’s innovative ‘Happiness Curriculum – Anandam Pathacharya’ received international attention at the Social Outcomes Conference, held at the University of Oxford from 3rd to 4th September 2026.
Dr. Bhagwati Prasad Maindoli, Staff Officer, Education Department, Samagra Shiksha, Uttarakhand, presented the state’s experiences and efforts in transforming the education system before an international audience during a special session titled “What Does Education System Transformation Look Like from Inside Government?”
The session began with a glimpse of the Indian knowledge tradition. Dr. Maindoli opened his address with a Sanskrit Mangalacharan and then led the participants through approximately two minutes of mindfulness and meditation. The participants sat quietly and focused on their breathing. The opening with a Sanskrit mantra and mindfulness practice at the international platform in Oxford highlighted the importance of mental peace, well-being and holistic development of children in education.
Dr. Maindoli said that transformation in the education system is not limited to formulating policies or implementing programmes on a large scale. True transformation takes place when policies reach schools and classrooms and teachers translate them into meaningful changes in the lives of children.
He emphasised that the purpose of education is not merely to improve academic performance, but also to develop children into confident, sensitive, empathetic and responsible citizens.
Referring to the spirit of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, he highlighted critical thinking, creativity, values and well-being, alongside literacy and numeracy, as important components of education. He also described Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) as a key element of children’s holistic development and educational transformation.
Dr. Maindoli shared details of the Happiness Curriculum – Anandam Pathacharya, launched by the Government of Uttarakhand in 2019. He explained that its objective is to create a school environment where children, along with acquiring academic knowledge, learn to understand themselves and others, develop empathy and recognise their emotions.
Under Anandam, the first 30–35 minutes of the school day are dedicated to children’s social and emotional development. The session begins with mindfulness, followed by stories and interactive activities that enable children to understand different social and emotional situations. The session concludes with an expression activity, through which children articulate their thoughts and feelings.
Drawing upon his doctoral research and studies conducted by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Uttarakhand, Dr. Maindoli shared that Anandam has resulted in positive changes in children’s focus, empathy and relationship-building skills. Positive effects have also been observed in teachers’ classroom management.
According to Dr. Maindoli, the Anandam Pathacharya has currently reached approximately 16,000 schools, 30,000 teachers and nearly 200,000 students. Special emphasis is also being placed on strengthening Social, Emotional and Ethical Learning and teacher capacity-building in Uttarakhand’s PM SHRI schools.
Following Dr. Maindoli’s presentation, several international delegates expressed keen interest in Uttarakhand’s approach to integrating the Anandam Curriculum, mindfulness and social and emotional learning, and appreciated the initiative.
He said Uttarakhand’s experience demonstrates that the Indian knowledge tradition and modern educational approaches can be brought together to strengthen children’s holistic development, emotional well-being and positive learning environments.
Dr. Maindoli said that the success of Anandam is not the achievement of any one individual or institution. It is the result of the continued support of the state government, strong policy commitment and the dedicated efforts of teachers.
He said that the true success of any policy is achieved only when it moves beyond official documents and reaches the classroom, bringing about a positive change in the life of the last child.
He added that teachers in Uttarakhand have embraced Anandam not merely as a government programme, but as an initiative connected with the better future and happier lives of children.
Dr. Maindoli expressed special gratitude to Dream a Dream and all partner organisations for providing him the opportunity to share Uttarakhand’s experience with the Anandam Pathacharya on an international platform.
He also thanked Oxford for inviting him to present Uttarakhand’s education transformation model on the global stage. He said such platforms provide valuable opportunities for the exchange of ideas, experiences and innovations in education at the global level.
The session concluded with the collective recitation of the universal message of well-being from the Indian tradition, “Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah”, followed by “Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantih.”
The presentation of Sanskrit mantras, mindfulness and Uttarakhand’s Anandam Curriculum at the international platform of the University of Oxford conveyed the message that the purpose of education should not be limited to examination results and academic achievement. It must also ensure children’s holistic development, social and emotional capabilities, mental peace and overall well-being.
Dr. Bhagwati Prasad Maindoli said that the ultimate question of education should not be limited to “What can I achieve?”, but should also include “How can I contribute?” He said this is the direction that connects education with life and contributes to building a better society.
