Convocation
Address
His
Excellency the Governor and the Honourable
Chancellor of this prestigious Institution of Higher Learnening, Shri Keshari
Nath Tripathi ji, respected Vice Chancellor Professor Gopalchandra Misraji,
illustrious recipients of the degrees of D. Litt and D. Sc (honoris causa),
Sri Dwijen Mukherjee, Dr Pranab Ray, Mahan Mj, and Professor Amitava
Raychaudhuri, distinguished members of the University Court and Executive
Council of the University of Gour Banga, my dear faculty members,
administrative staff of the University, eminent guests, parents, and young recipients of
various degrees, media- electronic and print and Ladies and Gentlemen.
Indeed,
I deem it a special honour done to me in asking me to present this ceremonial
address to this august assembly of distinguished scholars and public luminaries
– present and future - on the occasion of the second Snaathakotsav. I am grateful to His Excellency Shri Keshari Nath
Tripathi ji, Hon’ble Vice
Chancellor Prof Misra ji and the University Court and Executive Council for
inviting me to share this jubilant mood with all of you. This pleasant occasion
takes all elders in this assembly back in times to become nostalgic of their
times.
However,
on such occasions, our attention is generally drawn towards our education
system. One of the most discussed subjects by the modern intellectuals in India
after the ‘politics’ is education system. Perhaps, no where in the world, it is
so. The master nations developed the modern system from late medieval times in
Europe and imposed the same on their colonies.
Our
elders say that education makes a man civil and human. Character-building is
considered the main object of the system.
Our system goes a step further. It aims to spiritual accomplishments.
Therefore, we nurtured both apara (worldly)
and para (non-worldly) systems in our
education. India has a rich knowledge tradition. The English records vouchsafe
the existence of pathasalas (schools)
in the towns and villages where general education was taught by private
teachers supported by parents. Sanskrit, vernaculars, mathematics, medicine, astronomy,
astrology etc were taught. Literature philosophy and other sastras were taught
in gurukuls.
Till
the mid nineteenth century, our native system which was not disturbed or
‘reformed’ since times immemorial continued to stay. The ‘new’ education replacing
the ‘old’ alienated the natives from their traditional education. We are made
strangers in our own country. The ‘new’ education was introduced in India in an
alien alphabet and the object of the ‘new’ system was to prepare the youth to
serve in the British Government offices at lower grades. The damage caused to
Indian knowledge systems was soon realised by our scholar-leaders of 19th
century. This pious land, Banga, played cradle for the Indian renaissance
movement which turned out to be the national movement later. Let us hope that
the upcoming generations of this land take lead in recovering what we lost in our
ancient culture and wisdom.
Our
leaders of the national movement have through out been conscious that the British
system of education should be reformed in such a way that the objects of both
systems are achieved by designing a hybrid one considering the inevitability of
continuing modern system as the basic structure. What stirred the Indian
intelligentsia for freedom was primarily to restore our ancient knowledge
systems. Towards the close of the freedom struggle, many such models were
designed and proposed with an intention that the emerging free nation could
adopt it with a finest amalgam of both tradition and modernity. But so far we
failed them in their aspirations with regard to our eduction. After the independence,
many commissions on education were constituted from time to time from Sri Sarvepalli
Radhakrishnan Commission onwards, but even after seven decades of Indian
independence the efforts are on to look for a ‘New Education Policy’
We
need a system which enables every young one passing out in flying colours from
the university examinations to be free from anxiety about his future career in
a congenial civil atmosphere. The nation should be assured that the system is
shaping the future world with disciplined ‘human’ beings.
Well,
coming to the present, the convocation was given greater significance in the
ancient system known as ‘snaatakotsav’ which
is conducted by the teacher after completing a course of study only when teacher
was sure that the student has mastered the course. He was presented before
scholars of repute for examination. After he passes the examination he is
prepared and decorated like a ‘groom’ and profusely blessed. There was a
practice that the teacher used to visit his disciple every now and then to make
himself sure that the disciple has not forgotten what he was taught. That was
the care taken for the wards by the teachers. Those who are passing out from
this university should continue association with their alma mater to refresh or update their knowledge when an occasion
arises.
Our
universities have increased in number, serving the cause of higher education in
remote areas. We must congratulate and appreciate the services of faculties working
in such areas. We should take care that quantity should not allow the quality
to drop. The alumni has a great role
to play in fine-tuning the syllabi, guiding the students and providing them
exposure to outside world. The latest developments in their respective fields
may be introduced to the students maintaining good relations with the faculty.
That makes the university campus lively and dynamic.
In
fact, university does not mean mere concrete structures. Monastic centres of
education in India sprang up with Buddhism. Earlier, there were education towns
like Varanasi or Takshila where gurus
and their shishyas used to live in
hundreds, nay, in thousands. Those cities were only conglomerations of
individual houses.
Our
modern education is seldom providing instruction in all disciplines. Now the
technological courses are ruling the psyche. As modern man has become
multidimensional, the society needs knowledge and technologies based on various
sciences and humanities. Therefore, we should aim at an all round development
of knowledge. The government should plan for the courses and provide
instructions keeping in view the requirements of human resources in each field.
This would help reduce unemployment and facilitate fair distribution of
opportunities among the youth.
As
I understand that this region has long and rich history dating back to puranic times. This part of India is
known from epic times with illustrious civilisational developments as recorded
in history. We should establish and strengthen the link between the past and
present. We should see that young minds develop respect for the past wisdom
through our education. The historical tradition has to be established so that
we are not cut off from our own origins.
This
region was known for its educational institutions of higher learning till late
medieval times. Rich libraries attached to internationally known centres of
higher learning of this region were famous far and wide. Now it is heartening
to note that it is recovering. I congratulate all the recipients of various
degrees who put their maximum efforts to complete their education against many
odds. I wish them to succeed in their careers and life as glowingly as they are
passing out of the university ramparts now. Wishing them once again all the
best and hoping to see at least a few of them to sit on this side of luminaries
receiving Doctarates Honoris Causa making
all of us feel proud.
Thanking
you, one and all,
Jai
Hind.
Y
Sudershan Rao, Ph.D.,
Professor
of History (Rtd)
Chairman,
Indian Council of Historical Research,
New Delhi
– 1100001
Camp :
Malda (W B)
