Lucknow: In ancient Bharat, education was entirely free, and students received food, clothing, medicines and books in Gurukuls without any fee, said Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sah Sarkaryavah Dr Krishna Gopal, while addressing a seminar organised in Lucknow. He highlighted the rich and glorious ancient education system of Bharat.
He added that it was the British who imposed fees on education and initiated its commercialisation.
Dr Krishna Gopal was speaking at the inauguration of the new academic session of Mahamana Shikshan Sansthan at the Malaviya Auditorium of Lucknow University.
Expressing concern over the present education system, he said that although large expressways, highways and airports are being built across the country, nearly 80 per cent of society is still not economically capable of obtaining higher education. This expensive nature of education, he said, is creating dissatisfaction in society.
The Sah Sarkaryavah also underlined Bharat’s historical and scientific contributions on the global stage and said that in ancient times the country had reached the pinnacle of economic and material progress.
He further stated that every village in ancient Bharat had a school. The country was home to world-renowned universities such as Nalanda, Takshashila and Vikramashila, where students from foreign countries came to study. However, first the Islamic invasions destroyed these great educational institutions, and later the British completely prohibited Bharat’s traditional education system. Because of this suppressive policy, a prosperous Bharat was gradually turned into an illiterate country.
On this occasion, the chief guest of the programme and Director of IIT Lucknow, Prof. Arun Mohan Sheri, said that Mahamana Shikshan Sansthan is doing commendable work in providing ideological direction to society and bringing about positive change. He expressed deep concern over the increasing mental stress among students and the tragic incidents of suicides in the country’s premier higher educational institutions. He said that slight human-centred changes in the atmosphere and curriculum of higher education are urgently needed to address this crisis.
Presiding over the programme, former Vice-Chancellor of Lucknow University, Durg Singh Chauhan, said that the first source of civility is the mother. The ultimate solution to all internal problems of the country lies in education enriched with traditional values.
Dr Anima Jamwal, while giving information about the institution, said that Mahamana Malaviya Shikshan Sansthan is being continuously guided by the sacred inspiration of two great national figures—Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and Bhaurao Deoras Ji—for nation-building.
During the inaugural session, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Pracharak Pramukh Swant Ranjan, current Vice-Chancellor of Lucknow University Prof. J. P. Saini, Prant Pracharak Kaushal ji, former Kshetra Pracharak Shivnarayan, Kshetra Gauraksha Gatividhi Sanyojak and Prant Pramukh of Samajik Sadbhav Rajendra, Vibhag Pracharak Anil, Cancer Institute Director Prof. M. L. B. Bhatt, Dr Naveen Jamwal, Dr Santosh Shukla, along with many eminent educationists and distinguished citizens of the city, were present.
