Couple Balances Family and Academia at Kerala Sanskrit University Campus

This inspiring story from Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit in Panmana showcases an unconventional approach to balancing family and education. Ratheesh E R, a former temple priest and MPhil graduate, recently enrolled in an MA Hindi programme to accompany his wife Aryamol Sudharshan, a guest lecturer in Sanskrit.

The couple's arrangement has become a testament to institutional support and partnership. While Aryamol teaches, Ratheesh cares for their one-year-old daughter in adjoining classrooms. Their elder son attends a nearby anganwadi. Both students and faculty members assist without hesitation, creating a nurturing environment for the young family.

Originally meeting as Sanskrit Vedanta students in 2014, the couple married in 2019 and has navigated multiple campus postings together. Now, Ratheesh will study Sanskrit under Aryamol's instruction - a role reversal that demonstrates their commitment to pursuing academics collaboratively. Aryamol continues her PhD while managing her teaching responsibilities.

Their philosophy emphasizes teamwork, compromise, and simplicity. As Ratheesh notes, people often say it's hard to study after marriage, but if you keep it simple and work as a team, it becomes effortless. Their journey illustrates how institutional flexibility and family support can enable meaningful academic pursuits.