Ancient values in education hailed abroad, but called saffronisation in India, says Smriti Irani

New Delhi: Taking a jibe at critics alleging saffronisation of education, Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani on Monday said the country’s inherent strength in education, ancient concept and values is hailed and applauded abroad but is described as “saffron” back in the country. Wondering if India’s inherent strength should not be valued, Irani, who is accused of saffronising education, said even in the field of Mathematics there had been accusation of saffronisation when India’s ancient method of maths was explored the world-over. [caption id=“attachment_2284988” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Smriti Irani. AFP[/caption] Speaking at a conference organised by Hindu Education Board, she spoke about the criticism faced by well-known Mathematics professor of Princeton University Manjul Bhargava back home who confided learning the concept of maths through Sanskrit poems. “…he is accused in television shows of saffronisation of Mathematics. This is only possible in India that you have an ancient method of Maths which is explored and applauded across the world, that becomes saffron back in India,” she said, adding such criticism is possible only in India. “Is everything Indian not to be valued? Is it possible in any country that we shy away from our own inherent strength, that we shy away from our own inherent heritage, our culture, our glorious history,” the Minister said. Referring to the controversy surrounding the yoga day celebration, she said, “I wonder whether all the 175 nations who supported us at the UN for celebrating the day were as saffron as we are”. She said the new education policy, which would be ready by the year-end would emerge as one that helps in nation building. “Education is also not limited to policy draft, or school or university. It defines the existence of human being, the society,” she said. Slamming the current education system in the country for lacking “Indianness”, joint general secretary of RSS Krishna Gopal said an education system should be such which connects students with their roots, their culture and provides an spiritual integration. Referring to former president and great educationist S Radhakrishnan, he said the late leader had said “un-Indian” character of education is one of the serious complaints against the system of education which has prevailed, in the country for over a century. “But what have we done over the years to correct it,” he said, giving an insight into the RSS take on the present education system. He said India has set up many IITs and IIMs but has failed to lend a vision or the philosophy that shape a graduate into a good human being. “Will Indian uniqueness will be found in them. Where is the Indianness. Indian mind is disturbed. Where is the spiritual wisdom. What is the purpose of education when a person becomes an engineer or doctor in mind but is not good at heart,” he said. The present system, he said, is driven more towards generation and accumulation of resources by an individual, which does not augur well for the society, he said. Gopal, who is the RSS pointsman for coordination with the BJP, advocated an education system that links with spirituality. Citing Dalai Lama, he said “education is premised on materialistic values”. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu sought more interface between institutes of higher learning and the industry while Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha said India can use its right civilisational heritage to solve many a problems afflicting the country. If we have to solve problems, we have to innovate in India, we have to come up with ground breaking approaches. We need Indian science, innovation. While US universities have powered and become an economic engine for the first one billion people, he said, India can become a similar economic engine for next five billion people if Indian universities become innovation grounds. PTI