Shaikshik Foundation in collaboration with Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh organised a successful and relevant book launch program on November 29, 2024, featuring the book on “Ahilyabai Holkar – Ek Adarsh Samragyi’ at 2:30 PM in the Seminar Hall of Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi.
The event witnessed the presence of several distinguished scholars, including Chief Guest Prof. Shashi Prabha Kumar (Chairperson, Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla), Keynote Speaker Prof. Shashikala Wanjari (Vice-Chancellor, National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration), Special Guest Dr Jyoti Chouthaiwale, Member of the National Executive of Bhartiya Street Shakti. The program was presided over by Prof. Geeta Bhatt (General Secretary, ABRSM and Director, Non Collegiate Women’s Education Board, University of Delhi). Also in attendance were Prof. Dinesh Khattar (Principal, Kirori Mal College), Prof. Manoj Sinha (Secretary, Educational Foundation), Prof. Rakesh Kumar Pandey (Co-Convenor, Educational Cell, ABRSM), Prof. Manoj Khanna, Prof. Rajeev Agarwal, and Prof. Awadhesh Kumar, among others.,The organizational Secretary of Akhil Bhartiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh Shri Mahendra Kapoor was also present in the book launch program.
Dr. Jyoti Chauthaiwale, scientist, educationist and social worker in her address gave a historical background to the life of Ahilaya Bai Holkar and emphasized her multifaceted personality and intelligence as corner stone to her being an ideal sovereign.
Prof. Shashiprabha Kumar, Chairperson of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. She highlighted the relevance of Ahilyabai Holkar’s exemplary governance and leadership in the modern era and talked about her giving the rights to widows to adopt an heir as her landmark contribution.
Prof. Shashikala Wanjari, Vice-Chancellor of the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration ( NIEPA), delivered the keynote lecture. She emphasised the role of the teacher-educator community in social welfare and continuous self introspection as a tool to refine one’s personality citing Holkar’s life as an ideal example.
The event was presided over by Prof Geeta Bhatt, General Secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh and Director of the Non-Collegiate Women’s Education Board, University of Delhi. She laid stress on the fact that Holkar wasn’t an exception in the historical landscape of Indian society in context of women’s position and empowerment but rather the norm. We find countless other examples of empowered women throughout Indian history. It may be noted that ABRSM encourages education based on Indian educational values. At present more than 12 lakh teachers are associated with the organisation and it is working in 27 states of the country.
