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Enlightened India and Holistic Education
Knowledge is
one and inseparable. But oneness does not mean uniformity. The key, for the
development is dynamism, novelty and elasticity of courses and diversity of
information channels. Indian system of education was organic, open and
integral and the name Veda was assigned to all kinds of knowledge. Its use
was not restricted to the four samhitas of the Vedas. We would like
to reassert and revive this spirit, while we frame our curricula.
In the present
university teaching system, different departments virtually serve as
separate compartments, without any cross flow of information. There is lack
of mobility and transfer of information between the faculties. We wish our
science students to know basic postulates of Social sciences as well our
Social science students to be aware of the fast changes which are taking
place in the field of sciences.
We understand
that this can only be done when a composite curriculum is evolved. We
propose to progress gradually towards this end. We aim to compose the
diversity of knowledge and novelty of information. It’s a challenge.
We may face difficulties, but the challenge has to be met and we will be
able to do it. It is a vital necessity for a resurgent India.
We wish to
design curricula of new courses in a holistic way, so that a student is
free to opt for subjects of his/her choice. For the academic interaction of
the subjects and to make them free of repetitions in courses and
facilities, we would look for the possibilities to form Centers of related
subjects.
Society - Education Symbiosis
Main function
of the university is to find alternatives to fulfill the needs of the
society. Today’s education system however stands aloof of our
populations and their needs. On the basis of resources, we have three
economic populations, tribal, rural and urban. We have a network of
institutions devoted to agriculture and industry but, despite having a
large section of populations of tribes living in forests and hills, none of
our universities addresses to their economics and sociology. We dream of a
university which is based on an organic relationship between society and
education.
Diversity, Specialty and Specialization
We wish there
is no repetition of courses being taught at the university campus and the
colleges. Higher education aims at generating specialized employment based
on advanced technology. Universities generate such specialists. Number of
such employment opportunities cannot be very high for ever. This requires a
dynamic research structure. We wish that departments of old basic subjects
would change themselves according to the time and need of the society. The
diversity, specialty and specialization of subjects shall impart distinct
identity to the teaching departments of the university and colleges.
India and Indian Diaspora
Populations of
many countries of the world have people of Indian origin as principal
components. Such people are connected with India in terms of their
religious beliefs, rituals, culture and language. An education system
encompassing their cultural and religious needs will bring them emotionally
closer to us. But current education system lacks it. To create an intense
cultural relationship with the people of Indian origin we will strive to
impart a standard cultural, moral and religious education. This will help
in creating a standard education system for the youth of Indian origin. On
the other hand education on the religious beliefs, rituals, culture and
language of these countries will create new opportunities of employment for
the youth of the country.
Leadership in Education
Universities in
India do not connect us to the people who were naturally connected to us
due to geography, history and cultural environment. For example, India
shared geography and a long history with South East Asia and Middle East.
As inheritors of Indic civilization we had contacts of commerce, trade and
culture with all ancient civilizations of the world. But, incidentally we
have lost every living connection with their inheritors and in the process
have lost most of the goodwill. After Independence they did see with natural
expectation towards us, but we missed the opportunity for which destiny had
prepared us. We have education that is of international standards and yet
is sufficiently cheaper than other countries. If we try, then we can
attract ample of students from African, Middle Eastern and South Eastern
countries. This is essential to improve the financial status of our
universities and also to impart them proper autonomy. We will have to show
signs of leadership and promise to the neighboring countries in the Indian
education machine.
Teaching Languages
Languages play
the role of channels of communication amongst cultures. There is already a
global concern over extinction of languages. It is the linguistic diversity
of the earth that holds the treasure of knowledge and culture based on the
ethnic wisdom and experiences of people. Degree of danger of extinction is
higher for local languages. Languages are dying, they are losing their
nature and identity and are getting polluted. On the other hand there is
deplorable neglect of teaching of languages, both Indian and foreign,
leaving all space to only one language that is English. This neglect
however is illogical when we wish to progress towards one world in
socio-economic terms. As the boundaries of the countries are getting
diluted, it will be the golden opportunity for the Indian youth to
establish themselves as entrepreneurs, teachers and scientists throughout
the world if we impart them linguistic skills and knowledge of cultures in
the numerous countries on the earth. In the process, they will also become
cultural ambassadors of India. We wish that globalization must benefit
Indian youth in establishing anywhere in the world and not just in English
speaking countries.
Technological Edge
Civilizations
move on the wheels of technology. The need of resurgent India is to catch
the spirit of time and blend it with the self ethos, so that in a
civilizational dialogue it is able to define its word. We will have to keep
pace in the field of science and technology, but simultaneously will have
to prepare the students to dig deeper in the mental realms of existence and
earn for them a more or less stress free term of life on this planet.
Synergy and Social participation
A society, how
so ever strong and prosperous will always remain insecure amongst neighbors
who are exploited and marginalized. In an ocean of have nots, islands of
haves cannot be sustained for long. For a durable and secure future for
mankind we wish to target education on social symbiosis and not competition
for selfish ends. Social marginalization can be reduced only by generating
self esteem and sense of participation amongst the downtrodden. Role of
educational institutions towards social outcasts and poor has been
underlined in the education policy passed by the parliament. Maharshi
Dayanand Saraswati University will make intensive and visible efforts
towards its social commitment.
Resolution
We commit
ourselves to make India a nation which can think ahead of time and march
with the kind of dignity a glorious civilization moves. We would think of
opportunities and create opportunities. It is a huge task. But it has got
to be done and we will do it. We wish to build a system of knowledge which
will produce technology for the people and not one which produces only technocoolies
to serve the interests of super powers.
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