Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari delivered a lecture on “Indian Education System and NEP-2020”

Bathinda, November 10: Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari , Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Panjab delivered a lecture on “Indian Education System and NEP-2020” to create awareness about NEP 2020 and encourage active student participation in its implementation. Held under the NEP SAARTHI initiative, the programme aimed to familiarize students with NEP’s key reforms, motivate their engagement, and facilitate structured feedback to the UGC regarding its impact and student concerns.

Addressing the faculty, staff, and students, Prof. Tiwari emphasized that in an era of rapid technological advancement and evolving learner-centric pedagogies, educational institutions and teachers must adapt to this transformation. Placing the discussion in a broader civilizational context, he highlighted India’s long-standing tradition of knowledge creation, application, and dissemination, underscoring the deep teacher-learner bond that historically began with prayer and reverence.

Prof. Tiwari explained the Pancha-Kosha-Vishleshana framework from the Taittiriya Upanishad, detailing the five sheaths of human existence and illustrating how this holistic model integrates intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual development. He underscored this as a timeless foundation for balanced and comprehensive education.

Prof. Tiwari also elaborated on the Four Purusharthas—Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha—emphasizing the blending of material and spiritual pursuits for a fulfilled life. Discussing India’s intellectual heritage, he stated that commitment, aspiration, and moral purity are essential virtues that learners must cultivate. He referenced the Badrayana Brahma Sutra, “Athato Brahma Jijnasa”, highlighting the centrality of curiosity in the teaching–learning process.

Quoting the Vishnu Purana verse “Tat Karma Yan na Bandhaya,” he explained that true knowledge liberates individuals from inherent limitations. He noted that ancient Indian education—deeply rooted in scriptures, philosophical texts, and cultural traditions—focused on character building and holistic development.

Bringing ancient wisdom into dialogue with global educational standards, he drew parallels between India’s educational ethos and UNESCO’s four pillars of education: Learning to Know, Learning to Do, Learning to Live Together, and Learning to Be. He also emphasized the timeless relevance of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and recalled Swami Vivekananda’s vision of education as a process of life-building, man-making, and character formation.

Discussing the alignment of NEP-2020 with ancient pedagogical principles, Prof. Tiwari referred to Acharya Haradatta’s principle from the Apastamba Dharmasūtra, “Āchāryāt Pādam Ādatte…”, explaining the progressive acquisition of knowledge from teachers, self-effort, peers, and experience. He noted that this aligns closely with the four quadrants of MOOCs. He also connected the six levels of learning in the Gurukul system with Bloom’s Taxonomy and elaborated on how NEP-2020 promotes collaborative learning inspired by the Rigveda’s Model of Collaboration, aimed at developing “glocal” problem-solving competencies.

In his concluding remarks, Prof. Tiwari advocated integrating ancient Indian wisdom into contemporary Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs). He emphasized shifting focus from what to learn to how to learn, adopting dynamic evaluation methods that recognize each learner’s unique potential, and strengthening lifelong learning and skill development. He urged teachers to reinvent themselves and evolve from information providers (Adhyapak) to mentors and visionaries (Drishta and Guru). He encouraged students to follow the principle of Learn, Earn, and Return to contribute effectively to building a Viksit Bharat.

Toward the end, the NEP SAARTHI Coordinator expressed gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor for delivering an inspiring lecture that highlighted the continued relevance of India’s ancient educational philosophies in contemporary academic practice. The event concluded with a prize distribution ceremony for the poster-making and slogan-writing competitions held on September 23, 2025.