The Message of Visva Bharati - Summary
Indira Gandhi, the former prime minister of India delivered this speech at an annual convocation at Visva-Bharati. She begins her speech by stating her happiness to be there. She remembers that place as where her mind and spirit unfolded. The prime minister of the country is called Acharya of that University; hence she wears the scarf of Acharya. She recollects her presence at that university along with her mother around 30 years ago.
Visva-Bharati was founded on 22 Dec. 1921 by Rabindranath Tagore. He was fondly called Gurudev, who did not want to follow the British system of education and who desired to preserve culture through education. His aim in starting this university was to give freedom and interest to the students. It is a place where students and teachers live together as a community to learn. Here Degree is not awarded based on the finishing of a course by merely writing exams whereas it is based on the development of knowledge. Indira Gandhi says that Tagore moulded the mind of modern India. He was called the Sentinel of India, meaning the Guardian of culture by Mahatma Gandhi. He was also known as a sage, a great poet and a teacher.
Visva –Bharati is unique in its nature. It is based on the old concept of ‘ashram’ (hermitage) where teachers and students have a good relationship. It is close to nature. The university integrates humanities and science with art and music. For Tagore Visva Bharati was not just a university. He saw it as a meeting place for great individuals from all over the world. He encouraged the education system which cherished the values of Indian culture and life. He was also concerned about the creative role of education. He thought that an educated society only can present civilized and democratic life without violence. It enables people to handle public life carefully, which results in private happiness.
Indira Gandhi gave the role of universities as torchbearers of societal progress. So all the universities should self-study how far they have created a new direction of thought and action for the younger generation in order to prepare them for the new age. Development in education leads to national progress. The quality of education should not be measured through the statistical report of pass percentage but it should reflect on the quality of life, value culture and technological and intellectual competence. In many universities teachers and students are not together. University should be a place where higher values and idealism exists.
The purpose of education is to provide good workers and managers to a nation. It also should provide good thinkers. Education is not merely to get a job but it should pave for educational endeavours. Education is a continuous process that happens from birth to death. When one stops learning, he/she stops living. One’s whole life process and experience is education.
Indira Gandhi concludes her speech by quoting Gurudev. He said that he has faith in the students of the nation. They will wipe off the colonial shame of this country through their devotion and achievement. Never think about doing things in an easy way or in shortcuts. You will do things in a disciplined way. Visva- Bharati does not live with its past reputation but it moves forward as it has the constant touch with the changing world.
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