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Independence Day Essay


         Universities should lead



         in freeing minds


                                                                              SHOBHIT MATHUR



                 N AUGUST 15, 1947, INDIA UNFURLED its    The challenge isn’t to celebrate past
                 tricolour for the first time as a free nation.   achievements but to actively work
                 Seventy six years on, as we commemorate our
         Onation’s independent journey, it’s essential to   towards a future where the Indian mind
         contemplate not only our territorial freedom but also   is truly free. The times are changing and
         the freedom of our minds. The challenge isn’t merely to
         celebrate past achievements, but to work actively towards   it’s logical that the education system is
         a future where the Indian mind is truly free. In the words   reinvented
         of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore: “Where the
         mind is without fear and the head is held high, where
         knowledge is free.” And where better to begin than with   munities, NGOs, government and industry ensures prac-
         our institutions of higher education.            tical application of reformative ideas. This synergy can
            The times are changing and it is only logical that the   pave the way for transformative societal change, making
         education ecosystem is reinvented so it can empower   sure the revisiting and reinventing process extends be-
         our youth to take on the world with appropriate skills   yond classrooms to public policy, our workplaces, homes,
         and valid professional knowledge. The world is moving   and daily lives. It is time universities in India accept this
         rapidly towards digitalisation with Artificial Intelligence,   responsibility and not limit themselves to becoming mere
         Metaverse and Internet of Things (IoT) taking over every   job-shops. Of course what’s written here is easier said
         sphere. And India with its great talent pool can never   than done. Strong and clear-minded academic leadership
         remain far behind.                               and the will to change for the better is required. Change is
            Today, Indians are holding top positions around the   the greatest constant, and the Indian education ecosystem
         world in all fields including science, technology, and eco-  should keep adapting to the needs of current times. The
         nomics. And it won’t be wrong to say that India with its   recently framed National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
         strong base in inherent knowledge is known to produce   is a positive step in the right direction making education
         the sharpest brains, and the trend should continue by   more holistic and future-focused.
         remaining updated with latest innovations. Universities   s India stands tall at the beginning of its 77th year
         should keep reinventing their curriculums so that Indian  Aof independence, our collective dream should
         education stays ahead of time.                   extend beyond economic milestones and technological
            Universities have always been the cradles of fresh   advancement. The need is to transform into a nation
         ideas, innovation, and leadership. They are crucibles   brimming with empowered individuals who have broken
         where ideologies are shaped, challenged, and reformed.    free from the chains of colonial mindset, charting a
         We need universities rooted in an Indian ethos that can   future anchored in self-belief, innovation, and a profound
         unlock the immense potential of education in shaping   understanding of our rich intellectual heritage. The
         independent, decolonised minds. This is especially true   leaders of tomorrow will be individuals who grasp
         at a time when globally there is a crisis of identity and   that true independence is a mastery over one’s beliefs
         a loss of purpose. By infusing our curriculums with an   and traditional thinking. As our youth gear up to lead
         authentic Indian lens to view the world, and at the same   this charge, they must be supported and guided by
         time encouraging critical thinking, universities can play a   universities that champion intellectual revolution.
         pivotal role in the reinventing process. Imagine the value   This Independence Day, as the tricolour soars
         of juxtaposing global best practices with our time-tested   high against the azure sky, it should symbolise more
         wisdom, thereby ensuring our students are equipped with   than freedom from colonial rule. Let it stand for
         a panoramic worldview which will enable them to take on   commitment to liberate our minds from inferiority
         challenging roles anywhere in the world, and come out   complex, prejudices, and limitations. It is a call for the
         successful. A strong base in elementary learning, which   nation, for every citizen, to embrace a broader vision
         has been the core of the Indian education system, has   of independence, one that resonates deep within,
         helped Indian students flourish globally in their chosen   transcending physical borders and historical timelines.
         fields.                                             For it is only when the mind is free that a nation can
            Universities have a responsibility to be stewards of   claim to be truly independent. And that is the legacy we
         technological advancement and cultural preservation,   should leave for generations to come, an India that is not
         preparing our youth for a future that respects the past.   just free in letter, but also in spirit and thought.
         The role of universities is not just confined to academic   (An alum of IIT-Bombay, Washington University & Indian School of Busi-
         realms. They have a larger role to shape communities,   ness and former technology manager at Amazon (USA), Shobhit Mathur is
         societal ideas and the State. Collaboration with local com-  co-founder and Vice Chancellor of Rishihood University, Sonipat)


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