News
India is preparing for futuristic education system: PM Modi
The new generation will get their education in a new system that will make for ideal citizens of the country.
On the 75th Amrut Mahotsav of Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Rajkot Sansthan via video-conferencing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the crowd. He said that with the New Educational Policy, India is preparing an educational system that is futuristic. He added that the new generation will get their education in a new system that will make for ideal citizens of the country.
The Prime Minister congratulated everyone associated with the Sansthan on the completion of its 75 years and noted the coincidence of the auspicious event with the period of Amrit Kaal.
He said when other parts of the world were identified with their ruling dynasties, Indian identity was linked with its gurukuls, referring to the Indian tradition of treating knowledge as the highest pursuit of life. “Our Gurukuls have been representing equity, equality, care, and a sense of service for centuries,” he said.
PM Modi lamented the neglect of education and the duty to revive the glory of the ancient Indian education system in the immediate aftermath of independence. Where earlier governments faltered, the Prime Minister said, nationals saints and Acharyas took up the challenge. “Swaminarayan Gurukul is the live example of this ‘Suyog’” he said. This institution was developed on the foundation of the ideals of the freedom movement.
“Spreading true knowledge is the most important task, and this has been India’s devotion towards knowledge and education in the world which has established the roots of Indian civilization,” PM Modi remarked.
The Prime Minister informed that even though the Gurukul Vidya Pratishthanam began with only seven students in Rajkot, it has forty branches worldwide today which attracts thousands of students from all over the world. He further added that in the last 75 years, Gurukul has developed the minds and hearts of the students with good thoughts and values, so that their overall development can be done.
“From dedicated students in the field of spirituality to scientists in ISRO and BARC, the tradition of Gurukul has nourished every field of the country”, he said. The Prime Minister highlighted the practice of Gurukul where a fee of only one rupee is charged to poor students thereby making it easier for them to get an education.
He remembered Nalanda and Takshshila as synonyms for India’s ancient glory. “Discovery and research were an integral part of the Indian lifestyle. From self-discovery to divinity, ayurveda to aadhyatm (spirituality), social science to solar science, from Math to metallurgy, and from zero to infinity, research, and new conclusions was drawn in every field…India, in that dark age, gave humanity rays of light that paved the way for the world’s journey of modern science.”
The Prime Minister also highlighted the gender equality and sensitivity of the Indian ancient gurukul system and lauded Swaminarayan Gurukul for starting ‘Kanya Gurukul’.
PM Modi emphasized the role of the education system and educational institutions in shaping the bright future of India and said that the country is moving at a fast pace to develop the education infrastructure and policies in the country at every level in the Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal.
The Prime Minister informed that the country has seen an increase in the number of IITs, IIITs, IIMs, and AIIMSs in the country and the number of medical colleges saw an increase of 65% when compared to the time before 2014.
PM Modi emphasized the importance of the saints in the journey of the next 25 years. “Today India’s resolutions are new and also the efforts to realize them. Today the country is moving with a vision of Digital India, Aatmnirbhar Bharat, Vocal for Local, 75 Amrit Sarovars in every district, and Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. ‘Sabka Prayas’ (everyone’s effort) in these projects of social transformation and social reform will impact the lives of crores of people.”