Dr Ashwani Kumar
Education forms the foundation of any society, shaping individuals’ perceptions, connecting them to their heritage, and instilling values that sustain civilizations. However, when education lacks a native essence, it risks disconnecting students from their cultural roots and ethical foundations. This issue is especially prevalent in modern India, where many educated individuals seem disconnected from their heritage, often viewing it as outdated or irrelevant. This disconnect is not accidental but a consequence of an education system that has become distanced from its indigenous ethos.
The current education system in India, inherited from colonial rule, emphasizes technical knowledge and skills at the expense of value-based learning, which was central to traditional Indian pedagogy. The focus on material success leaves little room for character development, wisdom, or a sense of belonging. As a result, students graduate as skilled professionals but often lack a deep understanding of their cultural identity and ethical responsibilities. This alienation from one’s roots threatens societal harmony, as culture, traditions, and ethical systems serve as anchors that ground individuals in a sense of purpose and belonging. Without these anchors, societal cohesion weakens, and the younger generation becomes more prone to adopting lifestyles and values that do not align with the collective well-being of their community or nation.
India’s indigenous knowledge system, with its holistic approach to education, offers a potential remedy to this crisis. Unlike modern education, which often prioritizes career-oriented skills, traditional Indian learning emphasized the integration of knowledge with ethics, spirituality, and social responsibility. Indian knowledge systems encompassed a wide range of fields, such as Yoga, Ayurveda, Philosophy, Astronomy, Mathematics, and Ecology. These disciplines were not separate from one another but interwoven into a worldview that placed balance, harmony, and interconnectedness at its core. Knowledge was considered not merely as a tool for success but as a means to understand and engage with the world in a morally and spiritually aligned manner.
For instance, the Gurukul system, which was the cornerstone of traditional Indian education, emphasized not only intellectual growth but also moral and spiritual development. Students were taught how to live in harmony with nature, uphold ethical values, and contribute meaningfully to society. Yoga and Ayurveda, both integral to the Indian knowledge tradition, offer practical insights into holistic living body, mind and spirit. Yoga, for example, promotes self-awareness and emotional balance, while Ayurveda encourages a deep understanding of the body’s natural rhythms and its connection to the environment. Such wisdom is highly relevant today, especially as the world grapples with issues like mental health, climate change, and environmental sustainability.
Reviving these traditional forms of education can bridge the gap between modern education and our rich cultural heritage. Indian knowledge systems place great importance on ethics, empathy, and self-awareness values that are crucial in today’s world. If integrated into the education system, these values could help individuals prioritize the collective well-being of society over personal gains, aligning with the global shift toward holistic education. Such an approach would focus on not just material success but also on creating a balanced, meaningful life.
The University Grants Commission’s (UGC) recent emphasis on incorporating Indian Knowledge Systems into curricula is a step in the right direction. However, there remains a lack of awareness about the depth and relevance of this knowledge. In the contemporary information-driven world, understanding the essence of information is essential, not only for career growth but for leading a fulfilling life. The Western education system has often focused on acquiring material wealth, but it has failed to teach students how to lead a happy and fulfilling life. Indian knowledge, however, offers a balanced approach that emphasizes both material success and personal well-being.
Incorporating traditional Indian knowledge into modern education could address many of the emotional and behavioral challenges faced by today’s youth. The current education system often creates professionals who are skilled but lack emotional fulfillment or a sense of social responsibility. On the other hand, the Indian knowledge tradition nurtures well-rounded individuals, helping them achieve not just professional success but also emotional well-being and social consciousness. The evidence is clear: many professionals, despite excelling in their careers, struggle to find happiness, which points to the emptiness of success achieved without a deeper understanding of self and society.
To fully revive and integrate Indian knowledge systems into the modern education framework, several steps must be taken. Firstly, the curriculum must be expanded to include Indian history, philosophy, and sciences alongside contemporary subjects. Teachers need to be trained to appreciate, teach, and apply these traditional knowledge systems in a modern context. Research should be encouraged to explore how ancient Indian wisdom can be used to solve current global challenges. Furthermore, policies that support the inclusion of traditional pedagogical practices in educational institutions should be prioritized. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is one such initiative that seeks to integrate aspects of Indian knowledge into modern education, but more efforts are needed for a comprehensive implementation.
Education is not merely about acquiring technical skills; it is about shaping individuals, societies, and civilizations. Reviving Indian knowledge systems and pedagogy is not only an effort to reclaim the past but a crucial step toward ensuring a sustainable and meaningful future. By grounding education in native wisdom, India can cultivate a generation that is not only skilled but also ethically grounded, culturally connected, and socially responsible. India stands at a crossroads, where it must choose between continuing with an imported educational framework or reclaiming its own. To ensure the holistic development of its people, the choice is clear-India must revive its indigenous knowledge systems and pedagogy.
(The author is an Assistant Professor (Sociology) at UILS, Chandigarh University, Punjab)
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