With a view to contributing towards a new paradigm for the existing knowledge structures, Idea of Bharat, i.e Bharat-Bodh, meet discussed and deliberated on topics ranging from all-inclusive education to benevolent science and technology and global outreach.
An international seminar on the theme—“Idea of Bharat” was held at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi from February 23-25. The three-day Seminar was organised by Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal in collaboration with many national organisations like Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Ministries of Tourism, Health and Family Welfare, Cultures and many others. With a view to contributing towards a new paradigm for the existing knowledge structures, Idea of Bharat i.e. Bharat-Bodh has discussed and deliberated on various topics ranging from all-inclusive education to benevolent science and technology and global outreach.
‘Be educated, not just literate’: Pranab Mukherjee
Late Pranab Mukherjee, the former President of Bharat, had inaugurated the conference on February 23. In his inaugural speech, he said, “The education and knowledge system of Bharat was basically de-centralised and nurtured by society rather than emerging from a centralised State-driven structure. The content and context of education was defined by educators also called the gurus who were placed on the highest pedestal in society.” He also emphasised that students should be able to delve into a multiplicity of resources, disciplines becoming truly educated instead of merely being literate.
Speaking at the inaugural session, the Vice Chancellor of IGNOU Prof Ravindra Kumar stated that, “Bharat Bodh is a movement to secure Bharat’s culture and values. It acts as an impetus to the ethos and brings forward an undivided and unbiased view of India.”
Complimenting IGNOU as the best campus for organising such kind of conferences, Prakash Javadekar, Cabinet Minister for Human Resource Development said that the Bharatiya philosophy can apply the healing balm, creating equilibrium and harmonic oneness with the pulsating infinity and eternity in this constant flux of ideas competing for dominance. He also brought forward the need to introduce Bharat as a subject of knowledge for students from Standard VII to XII.
RSS Sahsarkaryavah Suresh Soni said, “No one knows when the sanskriti of Bharat started, which is why Bharatiya way of life is Sanatan (eternal). Invasions took place in the history of Bharat at different levels which was not just colonial in nature. It was also the mindset which got invaded and moulded. This has a huge impact on our culture.”
“Modern Bharat lives in two worlds: urban and rural. Bharat’s gravitational force today is outside it. We have to bring it back.” Proposing a solution on what should be done; he said that European thinkers who have brought forward their views about Bharat should be kept aside. People of Bharat should be encouraged to come forward and research about our nation. “Thesis from foreign sources is coming one after another with no relation to its origin which is a matter of concern,” Suresh Soni added.
Similar views were echoed by Dr Subramanian Swamy, who stressed on Bharatiya point of view to understand Bharat. Sri Shiv Khera and Swami Chidarupnand also addressed the conference on the first day.
‘Commercialisation of education must be nulled’
“The vision of disseminating education should be to form a good society,” said Anurag Behar, CEO of Azim Premji Foundation during the second day of the International Bharat Bodh conference at IGNOU. “The biggest obstacle in this regard then is the commercialisation of education and health. The only way to contribute to an education driven society is to respect our teachers,” he added.
Bringing forward multi threads of information about Bharat’s education system the conference deliberated upon the society driven education for all. Prof J S Rajput, educationist and former director of NCERT talked about the role of a teacher or educator in transforming a person into a personality. Thus he stressed, it would be driving them from “humanity to divinity.” The role of a teacher is to enable his/her students to think logically. He expressed that we got carried in the flow of western influences post independence caring about growth and development that undermined the power of our own country. We forgot our origins for education which is meant for character development.
Chairman of Board of Management at Auro University, Gujarat, Dr Shailendra Raj Mehta brought forward the history of the Grand Trunk Road that linked Takshila to the global crossroad connecting all major civilisations for trade.
He said that Bharat was more literate before British rule uprooted our educational structures. “Ek-shala-pathshala was the system followed in Bharat before the British imposed school system prevalent today; they then copied the entire Bharatiya education system in their country.”
The conference had multi parallel sessions that brought forward new questions to ponder over the history of Bharat with a multidisciplinary approach. Dr Sonal Mansingh, the eminent classical dancer touched upon the rich Bharatiya dance and music tradition. She also brought forward her thoughts on the patriarchal mindset in Bharat.
Where did we go wrong?
The valedictory session of the three day long international conference highlighted the ancient Bharatiya traditions and their relevance in the present.
Prof Ravindra Kumar, the VC of IGNOU, expressed that ‘the conference has given a message to all the educational institutions from Primary to Universities to research how the idea of Bharat should be discussed and implemented. Inspiration from Bharat’s past should lead us to making a strong modern Bharat in all respects.
In the valedictory session, Prof Anirudh Deshpande, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Sampark Pramukh, brought forward the necessity to conduct this conference and cleared that it does not aim at antagonising the western world. He expressed that, “We have no problem with the modernisation. In fact, we are open to it and we will accept it as per our national standards. Education should never be on sale in the market. It is the duty of the society to educate its people. We have forgotten our base, which is why this Bodh is necessary to bring forward in the society.”
Prof Kapil Kumar, academic coordinator, IGNOU expressed that, “The major achievement of the conference is highlighting of such ancient traditions of Bharat which are so relevant in the present context for example, well being, yoga, health, Ayurveda, and besides that the love for environment of the Bharatiyas who always believe in harmony with nature and not exploiting it.”
Prof B M Hegde, eminent medical scientist, educationist and author said, “Dharma is not religion but it is the obligation to the society.” He added that the field of western medicine is totally commercialised. Adv Monica Arora said, “Women in the world had to fight for their rights but those born in Bharat get it right from her birth.” “Rani Laxmi Bai,” she said, “the warrior had managed multiple tasks while performing her duties.” Prof Makhan Lal, eminent historian and archaeologist said, “When a society loses its history, it loses its identity also. We need to re-write the history of Bharat to give its true identity.” He added that there is no course in any Bharatiya university on history of ancient Bharatiya sciences while foreign universities have them forthright.
The eminent speakers discussed the roots of Bharatiya tradition and enumerated the need to bring a change in the society. In the presence of 450 participants including 10 foreigners, a total of 125 papers were presented that delved on topics like Science and Technology, Art and Aesthetics, Society driven education for all, Global Vision and Righteous Property.
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