Page 34 - EW September 2023

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)

34 EDUCATIONWORLD SEPTEMBER 2023