In the educational system of ancient India, a student would enter a gurukul (the guru’s ashram) at the age of five years and would remain there till the age of fifteen. During this period, the student was inculcated with such traits that he would live a life of simplicity and self-control, and he would acquire such great powers that enabled him to be successful both in this world and the other. The students trained in gurukuls were such that even gods would seek their help in waging wars. For example, the gods sought the help of king Raghu and king Khatwang in their battle against the demons.
During the British rule in India, the British tried their best to subjugate the Indians, but success eluded them. Then Lord Macaulay advised the British government, ‘So long as we do not replace the strong traits of Indian culture ingrained in Indian minds with those of the western culture and unless we educate them in the Western system, we will not be able to enslave the Indians permanently.’ On Lord Macaulay’s advice, the British government embarked upon the task of brain-washing Indian students and youths. Faith that were inherent in Indian culture, and the strength and radiance (nobility of spirit) of our youths were all destroyed.
Some people say, ‘This is the age of progress।’ Okay! We might agree that as far as material comforts and luxuries are concerned, there has been definite progress but as far as the well-being of the students is concerned, this is the age of degeneration। The injustices that is being meted out to students in this age is unprecedented. Earlier the students used to drink cow’s milk and today they drink tea and coffee. This is detrimental rather than conducive to the vibrancy of the youth. Consequently, their memory power is weakened.
During the British rule in India, the British tried their best to subjugate the Indians, but success eluded them. Then Lord Macaulay advised the British government, ‘So long as we do not replace the strong traits of Indian culture ingrained in Indian minds with those of the western culture and unless we educate them in the Western system, we will not be able to enslave the Indians permanently.’ On Lord Macaulay’s advice, the British government embarked upon the task of brain-washing Indian students and youths. Faith that were inherent in Indian culture, and the strength and radiance (nobility of spirit) of our youths were all destroyed.
Some people say, ‘This is the age of progress।’ Okay! We might agree that as far as material comforts and luxuries are concerned, there has been definite progress but as far as the well-being of the students is concerned, this is the age of degeneration। The injustices that is being meted out to students in this age is unprecedented. Earlier the students used to drink cow’s milk and today they drink tea and coffee. This is detrimental rather than conducive to the vibrancy of the youth. Consequently, their memory power is weakened.
The training that was imparted to students in ancient times, for the development of courage, strength and brilliance in the system developed by the Rishis, has also gone haywire. And today…
‘I shout you shout. Who will carry the dirt out? (if everyone behaves like a king who will do the chores?)
Our material needs and extravagance are on the rise and life in general is becoming more and more hollow inside. The development of a prodigious memory, the radiance and self restraint that should be the mark of a student’s life is woefully missing today.
Today, there are a host of appeals, ‘Do not steal, do not drink intoxicants, abstain from bad habits, do not cheat during exams, put your heart in studies… ‘ but we have forgotten the knack to fully apply oneself of studies and the culture of earning success without cheating. What then should the poor student do? Cheats to succeed in exams but the strength, brilliance, self-reliance along with a healthy well-built body that a student is supposed to possess are nowhere in sights.
It is a part of our Indian tradition to live a life of self-control and courage. The deeper you inculcate the traits of self-control and courage in a child’s life up to the age of fifteen, the more it helps him become intelligent, ingenious, self-reliant and adventurous in college and a great citizen thereafter.
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