Itanagar, Mar 3: Rajiv Gandhi University on Monday successfully organized a seminar on “Indian Knowledge System with Reference to NEP 2020,” which was chaired by acting vice chancellor Jaydev Sahoo along with finance officer Prof Otem Padung.
Distinguished scholars, including Prof Bharat Kumar, Prof Kaushal Kishore, and Dr A K Mishra, led the plenary sessions as resource persons.
Prof P K Acharya, head of the education department provided a concise historical overview of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS). He highlighted its contribution to Indian culture, its role in promoting values, and NEP 2020’s emphasis on integrating IKS across all levels of education.
Seminar coordinator Dr Sushant Kumar Nayak, presented the concept note, explaining how the seminar themes were selected. He emphasised the significance of integrating IKS in India’s Northeastern region, particularly Arunachal Pradesh, where indigenous knowledge systems align with ecological wisdom, sustainability, and community living.
He noted that NEP 2020 aims to preserve India’s cultural heritage while positioning its value on a global platform, in line with the vision of making India a knowledge superpower.
Dean of the Faculty of Education Prof Elizabeth Hangsing, addressed the issue of sustainable development, highlighting how IKS can contribute to overcoming sustainability challenges.
She expressed concern about the vast yet unexplored traditional knowledge and the lack of public awareness about IKS. She advocated for integrating ancient wisdom with modern technology, using artificial intelligence to document and preserve traditional knowledge systems.
Central University of Odisha’s Education department head Prof Bharat Kumar Panda, in his keynote address, discussed the evolution of NEP 2020, drawing comparisons with NEP 1986, and explained how feedback from 3.7 million respondents shaped the policy.
He elaborated on the differences between Bhartiya Vidya and Western education, the transformation of skills into caste-based divisions in India, and how NEP 2020 fosters both individual and societal development. He emphasized its role in making India a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047.
Prof Padung spoke on the evolving nature of knowledge. He illustrated how knowledge has changed over generations and emphasised the need to document this transformation. Addressing the challenge of climate change, he pointed out that the knowledge also contributes to environmental issues. He remarked that true knowledge lies not in possession but in its application.
The VC in his address underscored the distinction between humans and animals through education. He noted that despite rising literacy rates and increased access to formal education, unemployment remains a significant issue due to a mismatch between educational outcomes and job market demands.
Sahoo criticised Western education for promoting competition and survival of the fittest while neglecting inclusive growth. He emphasized that IKS offers a holistic educational model through its 14 Vidyas and 64 Kalas, addressing the epistemological crisis in modern education.
Prof Kaushal Kishore, Head of the Department of Education at Jamia Millia Islamia, delivered an online lecture on the multidisciplinary nature of education. He explained the importance of flexibility in the education system and how NEP 2020 addresses this issue.
He shared the example of a Chinese scholar who traveled to Nalanda University to study Ayurveda but also gained knowledge in other disciplines by learning Sanskrit.
Dr A K Mishra, state Liaison Officer-cum-SNO (NEP 2020) and state’s Higher and Technical Education director, discussed the integration of IKS into higher education. He highlighted the contributions of ancient scholars such as Charak, Susruta, Aryabhata, Varahamihira, Chanakya, Panini, Sankardeva, and others.
The seminar served as a significant platform for discussing the integration of IKS in modern education and aligning it with NEP 2020’s vision for a holistic, inclusive, and knowledge-driven future for India.
