In a world where traditional education systems often fail to address the deeper questions of life – like who am I? what is the purpose of my life? Why am I here? What is my relationship with the universe?, Asmakam Life University emerges as a beacon of hope. Located just 20 kilometers from Indore, this innovative institution is the brainchild of a family – Mrs Archana Gehlot, her husband Manish and her two children – Maitreyee and Atri. With an objective of redefining education, Asmakam Life University aims to bring about a paradigm shift in how we learn, live, and connect with each other and the universe.

The philosophy of ‘Asmakam’

Fifteen years back, when Archana and her husband – US citizens, purchased a fifteen acres farmland and sat in a mud house planning to build a natural house for themselves, they had envisioned a place where like minded people would brainstorm on ideas to revolutionise the current education system, delve deep into their real selves and create meaningful experiences and together find answers to life’s fundamental questions.

Disillusioned with the rote learning, highly competitive and vicious education system which tends to kill the creativity of the learners, disregards the individuality of the students, and considers them as empty tins to be filled with knowledge, the IIT Graduates decided to offer their children the option of home schooling or self learning.

Home Schooling of Kids – Walking their Talk

Maitreyee dropped out from the conventional education system in the US in 8th grade, while Atri did not attend any formal school. The kids who are now on the Founders team at Asmakam, have finished their graduation – Matreyee completed her graduation in Psychology while receiving a whopping scholarship of 1.5 crore INR from the University of Chicago. Atri while pursuing his interests in photo shooting and film making has now secured admission at IIT Chennai. These experiences reinforced their belief in an integrated, life-oriented approach to education.

Vision of ‘Asmakam Life University’

The founders have envisioned Asmakam Life University as a sanctuary for holistic learning, where education extends beyond rote learning, degrees, and grades. Their goal is to unlearn and relearn as a community, fostering a mindset shift towards holistic development. The university aims to provide a platform for individuals to explore essential life questions together, focusing on spiritual, emotional, and material growth.

‘Asmakam’ is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘ours.’ The name reflects the university’s core philosophy of belongingness and ownership. Archana emphasizes that Asmakam Life University is a place where learners and mentors are co-creators of a shared space. This sense of community is further enhanced by their commitment to a gift economy, where knowledge, skills, and capabilities are exchanged with love, enriching the lives of both mentors and learners.

Building a Community Based on Gift Economy

Archana criticises the monetisation of activities that were once based on relationships and mutual love. She points out how modern conveniences have replaced traditional practices that fostered genuine human connections: She says –

(as shared with the interviewer)

• Instead of staying with relatives in another city or country, we now book Airbnb accommodations.
• Traditional dishes once lovingly prepared for guests are now purchased at resorts or restaurants.
• Giving a lift to neighbors or friends has been replaced by carpooling services like Uber and Ola.

At Asmakam Life University, the objective is to eliminate the concept of ‘fees’ and instead cultivate a culture of gifting. This approach aims to revive the essence of human connections and create a nurturing environment for holistic learning.

Innovative Programs and Initiatives

The physical building which is situated in a 15 acre farmland – is being built using the ancient method of building by using natural and sustainable materials like urad daal, methi, gond, gud and chuna. The objective is to make the building naturally sustainable. The building will be in the midst of a ‘food forest’ which will be developed through permaculture farming. The programs will move around developing life skills, wellness and living a sustainable life in complete sync with nature.

Since the objective is to provide a residential place for experiencing natural life, there will be

• short term and long term residential programs on permaculture, natural farming, natural building using regenerative methods.
• retreats and forest stays focused on mental, physical and social well-being including Food as Medicine, Naturopathy, Ancient Healing Practices, Yoga, Relationship Counseling etc.
• online programs, summer programs, gap year programs, focused on creativity (artisans, designers), entrepreneurship, technical skills (STEM), and programs for differently-abled kids and their caregivers.
• Stays for digital nomads to work along with sharing their skills with local urban and rural youths.

The above two pictures show the work in progress on the site of Asmakam Life University

Milestones achieved and the road ahead

For the past eight years, team ‘Asmakam’ have been running various programs focusing on creativity, experiential learning, self exploration, parenting, listening circles, wellness in their home which again is a natural building beautifully and painstakingly created. The ‘Sunday Circles‘ are held regularly and are very popular where after half an hour of silence, guests are treated to insightful talks, workshops and creative activities.

As it grows steadily, Asmakam Life University promises to be more than just an educational institution—it seems to be a movement towards reclaiming the essence of human connections and holistic learning. In an era dominated by transactional relationships, this university offers a refreshing alternative. It invites everyone to be part of this transformative journey, co-creating a future where education empowers individuals to make meaningful contributions to society and the world.

Call to Action

Join the Asmakam Life University community. Whether you are a prospective student, educator, or supporter of innovative education, there is a place for you in this vibrant community. Find out more about Asmakam – https://linktr.ee/aparsai

Listen to Archana Parsai Gehlot, share her thoughts on a self-led learning system and its benefits in the video below –