Education
PM Modi Advocates for Vedic-Based Education Reform
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently emphasised the importance of revamping the Indian education system to reflect the nation’s venerable Vedic values. His remarks were made during a celebration marking the bicentenary of Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the esteemed founder of Arya Samaj.
In his discourse, PM Modi stressed the urgency of an education framework that is deeply embedded in Indian traditions. He praised Arya Samaj schools for their foundational role in the educational sphere, advocating for their expansion under the National Education Policy to further inculcate Indian values.
Highlighting the theme of returning to Vedic traditions, the Prime Minister, through video conferencing, acclaimed Swami Dayananda’s rallying cry of ‘Back to Vedas’ at a time when Indian customs and spirituality were waning.
The Prime Minister commended Saraswati for his scholarly exegesis of the Vedas, which played a crucial role in rectifying misconceptions and enhancing the understanding of Indian philosophical thought.
PM Modi pointed out the adverse narratives employed by the British to demean Indian society, using social evils as a pretext. “Swami Dayananda’s emergence significantly countered these narratives, reviving societal pride and reigniting a passion for Vedic teachings,” he remarked.
The influence of Arya Samaj’s founder on notable figures like Lala Lajpat Rai and Ram Prasad Bismil was also highlighted by PM Modi, portraying Swami Dayananda Saraswati as a luminary of Vedic knowledge and a catalyst for national resurgence.
Through his address, PM Modi underscored the transformative impact of Swami Dayananda’s rational interpretation of the Vedas and his fight against entrenched orthodoxies, positioning him as a pivotal figure in bolstering societal self-belief and revitalising interest in Vedic principles.