Value Based Education: a Need of Today Essay Example

mind and soul of the nation to which he belongs but with the larger life, mind and soul of humanity of which he is a unit. All religions have upheld the idea that man, more than being an economic, social, political or reasoning animal, in actuality is a spiritual soul limited by the various attributes of a human existence for the time span of his life on earth.

Consequently a true education though nurturing the intellectual, aesthetic, ethical and vital aspects is essentially engaged in the task of awakening of the soul. This soul awakening education harmonizing the mind and body is to be valued as it reveals the truth of existence. In the normal course, Education is a three fold process. It imparts general and specific information, teaches skills and inculcates values. The present system of education is almost wholly geared to the first, a little to the second and only marginally to the third.

For education to fulfill its purpose as a tool for social change and realize national objectives, it should as Sri Aurobindo writes "starting with the past and making full use of the present build up a great nation". The first education commission of India headed by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan emphasized that no amount of factual information would make ordinary men into educated or virtuous men unless something is awakened in them - an innate ability to live the life of the soul".

Despite this recognition, education in the modern age is able to train only a fraction of the students mind and not the whole. The neglect of ethical values, which should form the substratum of any good education, has led to

ineffectual, decadent, empty learning. It is the duty of every society to pass on the values enshrined in its scriptures and philosophical texts to each generation, in order, that the spirit of its culture lives on. This can be achieved only when education is value oriented. Bharat (India) is a country whose religious and philosophical legacy dates back to ancient times.

It begot the vedic and vedantic lore, in times of yore, a number of sastras and the monumental literature of Vyasa. It gave birth to a galaxy of Rsis like Vasishtha and Viswamitra. By means of this spirituality it kept the population on the Dharmic path for millenniums hitherto. Its scriptures proclaim 'Amnayanam Ananugamanat Bhrashtamargeva Vidya' i. e. If the education system goes astray from the Vedic path, it is of no use. The future therefore lies in the hands of those who can put education on the right track again.

When civilizations were learning to think clearly and trying to come out of the darkness of ignorance, the ancient Masters of Bharat(India) were enquiring on the nature of Truth. The enquiry started with 'KOHAM', 'who am I'. The Brahmasutras start with the statement 'Adhato Brahma jignasa', 'we begin our enquiry on the nature of Brahman'. Srimad Bhagawata Purana says 'Satyam Param Dheemahi', 'Let us contemplate on the Eternal Truth;. Thousands of years ago Indian seers came to the conclusion that 'Truth was one which has been interpreted by the Learned in many ways,'Ekam Sat Viprah Bahudha Vadanti'.

India possesses this treasure of knowledge for the entire humanity and this is needed by the whole world even today. The virtues of patience, tolerance and belongingness to one

Great Master bring in the concept of 'Vasudhaika Kutumbakam', Universal family. The highest goal of the people of Bharat has been 'Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu', 'Let all the worlds be Happy'. Indian culture never believes in narrow self centered thinking. It promotesViswasreyas, the universal welfare and collective happiness.