Dr. Ramdas Pai Chair on Education, Chanakya University, organized the Roundtable Discussion on “Educational Heritage of Bharat and Its Relevance to the 21st Century”. The event brought together distinguished scholars, educators, and policymakers to explore the integration of India’s rich educational traditions into modern pedagogical frameworks.
Opening Session
The discussion commenced with a welcome address by Prof. Yashavantha Dongre, Vice Chancellor, who emphasizing the need for actionable insights. Prof. M. K. Sridhar, Chancellor; and Sri M. P. Kumar, Pro Chancellor; highlighted the significance of Bharatiya Shiksha and its role in shaping a holistic and impactful education system aligned with the National Education Policy.
Key Participants
The discussion featured prominent experts, including Prof. M. D. Srinivas, Prof. J. K. Bajaj, Dr. Rajendrakumar Joshi, Dr. Ramakrishna Pejattaya, Dr. Naveen Bhat, Prof. Pasala Geervani, Dr. Sharada Sinha, Prof. Probal Roy Chowdhury, Dr. Vinayachandra Banavathy, Dr. Vijayalakshmi Hebbare, Prof. Indu Prasad, Prof. Yugank Goyal, Prof. Vandana Saxena, Prof. Ashok H. S, Sri Pramod Kumar M, and Captain Chaithanya Ramesh.
Key Sessions
Session 1: Exploring the Beautiful Tree – Ancient Indian Education and Pedagogy:
Chaired by Prof. Pankaj Arora, this session explored Dharampal’s seminal research on traditional Indian education. Speakers, including Prof. J. K. Bajaj and Prof. M. D. Srinivas, highlighted the inclusive and evidence-based nature of historical learning systems, while proposing further research on indigenous pedagogical traditions.
Session 2: An Overview of Educational Heritage of Ancient Bharat and Its Relevance to 21st Century
Dr. Sahana Singh, Dr. Sharad Sinha, and Prof. Probal Roy Chowdhury examined life-cantered education in ancient India and its applications in modern contexts. They discussed how traditional knowledge systems could enrich contemporary curricula.
Session 3: Indian Knowledge Systems, Disciplines of Knowledge and Rethinking of Curriculum
Chaired by Prof. Indu Prasad, this session emphasized the integration of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) within modern disciplines to create a holistic and culturally rooted educational model.
Interactive Open House and Closing Remarks
The event concluded with an Open House discussion led by Prof. M. K. Sridhar, encouraging collaborative efforts for educational reforms. The final remarks by Prof. Sudhakar V. reinforced the importance of reconnecting with India’s educational past to inform and enrich its future learning paradigms.
With participation from esteemed scholars, the discussions provided a robust platform for research opportunities and policy recommendations aimed at aligning India’s educational heritage with contemporary academic advancements.
