Kochi, July 27 (UNI) India’s current education system continues to reflect the influence of colonial-era thinking and needs to transition towards a curriculum rooted in Indian philosophical thought, RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat said today.
He was speaking at an Education Conference (Jñāna Sabha) held at the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences.
“Our country is Bharat. We should stop using the word ‘India’ and start using ‘Bharat’ instead. We must refer to our nation as Bharat and explain this to others,” he said.
The conference witnessed participation from central and state educational institutions, universities, educational agencies, and private educational entrepreneurs. Vice-Chancellors and Directors from around 200 institutions across Bharat are attending the event, which is centered around the theme “Education for a Viksit Bharat.”
“The present education system in India was shaped by the long-standing influence of colonial ideologies. A transformation towards a system based on Indian philosophical thought is essential. Such a shift requires a deeply rooted and realistic Indian worldview,” Bhagwat emphasized.
“Those working in the field of education must demonstrate excellence, serve as role models, and foster a harmonious work environment that inspires others to follow,” he added.
Meanwhile, Kerala General Education Minister and CPM leader V. Sivankutty raised objections to the RSS chief’s visit to Ernakulam and expressed concern over the participation of vice-chancellors from five state universities.
“There are genuine concerns regarding this event. Attempts to steer the education sector under any specific ideology or political agenda cannot be accepted under any circumstances. Education must remain accessible and secular. However, it is alarming that some organizations are trying to manipulate education policies for their own interests,” the minister said in a Facebook post.
“Universities must remain independent and impartial. Institutions committed to academic excellence and research should not be used for political interests, as this could have far-reaching consequences,” he warned.
He reiterated that the Kerala government is firmly committed to protecting both the public and higher education sectors in the state.
“The government aims to ensure an education system that upholds the core values of the Constitution and democratic principles. The government and society in Kerala will take all necessary steps to resist saffronization efforts and preserve the secular character of the education sector,” the minister affirmed.
The three-day conference is being attended by around 80 prominent educationists working at the national level. Discussions are being held on topics such as Bharatiya knowledge traditions, Bharatiya languages, modern education systems that promote self-reliance among youth, life values, civic awareness, and environmental education.
The event is being organized by the Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas, an organization that has been actively working for the past 20 years to promote and integrate Bharatiya perspectives and indigenous content into the education system.
In addition to showcasing organizational achievements, the meeting will also evaluate the initiatives undertaken by the Nyas, such as Jñānotsavs and the Jñāna Mahakumbh, which have been held over the past five years to bring together educational institutions committed to reinstating Bharatiya values in education.
