Event Details: 📅 Date: Thursday, 5th December 2024 🕡 Time: 06:30 pm onwards. 📍 Location: Kale Hall, Gokhale Institute, Pune.
Speakers Shrimad Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Abhinava Shankara Bharati Maha Swamiji, Kudali Sringeri Maha Samsthan, Dakshinamnya Sri Sharada Peeth. Prof. Santishree Pandit, Vice-Chancellor, JNU, Delhi. Moderator : Nikhilesh GhusheDESCRIPTION The December 2024 edition of Pune Samvad brought together Shrimad Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Abhinava Shankara Bharati Maha Swamiji and Prof. Santishree Pandit for a thought-provoking conversation on the Bharatiya view of life and its relevance to today’s aspirations. Moderated by Nikhilesh Ghushe, the event explored essential themes concerning education, values, and the broader societal framework.
The speakers highlighted that the foundation of the Bharatiya way of life rests on three pillars: vision, principle, and execution. Life’s purpose, they explained, is to develop one’s potential within a value-based system. The story of Raavan, who possessed immense power but lacked sanskars (values), served as a cautionary tale underscoring the importance of character over sheer capability.
One of the focal points was the current state of the education system. The speakers noted a stark disconnect between educational goals and life’s deeper aspirations. Today’s system, largely inherited from colonial frameworks like Macaulay’s, prioritizes rote memorization over values, morals, and holistic development. This gap, they argued, leads to societal issues such as a lack of purpose, ethical degradation, and spiritual disconnection. A reformed education system, aligned with Bharatiya Gyan Parampara (indigenous knowledge traditions), would better serve society.
The conversation emphasized that while humans and animals share basic pursuits like Artha (material wealth) and Kaam (desires), the pursuit of Dharma (righteousness) and Moksha (liberation) sets humans apart. These principles help regulate worldly desires and guide individuals toward balanced, meaningful lives.
Addressing misconceptions, the speakers explained how Bharatiya civilization is inherently democratic, pluralistic, and feminist. These values, they argued, have been overshadowed or misrepresented in modern education and public discourse. The need to reconnect with these core principles through decolonizing the education system was deemed urgent.
A significant portion of the discussion focused on integrating science and technology with Bharatiya wisdom. Historical figures like C.V. Raman, Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, and S. Ramanujan were highlighted as examples of individuals who excelled in science while deeply rooted in indigenous cultural values. This demonstrates that Bharatiya knowledge is not anti-science; instead, it harmonizes scientific inquiry with spiritual wisdom.
The traditional Gurukul system was presented as a model for modern education. Similar to Finland’s highly successful holistic approach, the Gurukul system focuses on personal development, experiential learning, and the cultivation of values. This method, the speakers argued, can produce well-rounded individuals who are both intellectually competent and morally sound.
As artificial intelligence and machine learning become more prevalent, the speakers emphasized that human learning must evolve beyond data processing to focus on wisdom, creativity, and emotional intelligence. Machines may assist with data, but humans must cultivate deeper insights and purpose-driven knowledge.
The event concluded with a resounding call to overhaul the current education system by integrating Bharatiya knowledge traditions with modern science. By doing so, future generations can be better equipped to meet global challenges while staying rooted in their cultural heritage. This holistic approach promises a path to personal fulfillment, societal harmony, and a purposeful life.
