Report : Conference on Contours of Higher Education Policy for Bharat
Intro: Only assimilation of Hindu thoughts into country's education can provide perfection of means and finish confusion of ends.
“Our present education system lacks the spirit of Indianness. We do not know the objective of education. The philosophy of both the nation and the education cannot be different. Need of the hour is to connect the students with their roots, culture and provide spiritual education,” said RSS Sahsarkarya-vah Dr Krishna Gopal, while speaking at a conference on education organised by Hindu Education Board on the topic, Contours of Higher Education Policy for Bharat, in New Delhi on June 8.
Stressing on complete overhaul of education system Dr Krishna Gopal further said only assimilation of Hindu thoughts into country's education can provide perfection of means and finish confusion of ends.
Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani pointed out that the government has initiated a nationwide consultation on preparing education policy. “Indians living even in villages are being asked what should be the shape of education policy of the country and the views are being taken from those living in blocks, districts and states. Education is not limited to policy draft, or school or university. It defines the existence of human being, the society,” she said stressing the need for an education policy, which helps India leap forward. Coming down heavily on those who allege saffronisation of education, she said the Bharat’s inherent strength in education, ancient concepts and values is hailed and applauded abroad, but is described as ‘saffron’ back in the country.
Union Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhu stressed the need to develop linkage between higher educational institutions and the industry to take the education system to greater heights. Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha said India can solve many of its problems by using its civilisational heritage. He said time has come for India to think high and aspire to give more to the world. He said he did not want the Indian universities to follow the Harvard University, rather they should follow their own values, which the entire world basically wants today.
Chancellor of MG International Hindi University Prof Kapil Kapoor stressed the need to democratise and federalise education in respect of money and language. There should be adequate educational institutions in all regions including cities and villages and the education should be imparted in Indian languages. Referring to Indianisation of education, he said knowledge should not merely be ‘power’ but the ‘purifier’.
Chancellor of VIT University Dr G Vishwanathan stressed the need of more transparency in education system. He said inspector raj ended in business in 1991 but it still continues in education. He also said about eradicating regional imbalance in creation of higher education institutions. He said some radical and bold steps should be taken to make India the hub of higher education.
Joint secretary of Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal Shri Mukul Kanitkar spoke about various disconnects prevailing in the education system. “There exists disconnect between national planning and education planning. We have failed to impart education as per the needs of the country. Only producing graduates is not enough, we have to impart practical knowledge, which enhances skills and widens the vision,” he said adding that the education should be provided in Indian languages and sufficient content should be generated accordingly. He said now there is no problem of awakening the people about education. “There is sufficient awakening about education. What is needed is to provide adequate resources. Education should be in the hands of teachers and not in government. The day we liberated science from government control and handed over to scientists we have seen the launches of projects like Mars Mission, etc,” he said.
Prominent among those who shared their views included noted educationist Prof Aniruddha Deshpande, Chancellor of WCT Group Dr Narendra Faujdar, Chairman of Manipal Global Education Shri TV Mohandas Pai, Prof Satish Modh, Prof PB Sharma, Dr Manohar Shinde, Prof MC Misra, etc. —Pramod Kumar
