Bookmark: A Kaleidoscope on Education
Intro: The book covers every aspect on education. The new rules and regulations by the East India Company as well as educational surveys, colonial curriculum; distribution of educational funds; beginning of provincial educational departments; Indian Educational Service; University Commissions as well as human resource development after Independence are presented by the author aided by graphs and tables. The concluding chapter examines the need for an indigenous system of education envisaged by Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo and Mahatma Gandhi.
Indian Education: Genesis, Growth, Development and Decline; Dr K N Madhusudanan Pillai and S Srikala Devi; Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan Trust, Rs 75, Pp 158
Ancient Indian education was a manifestation of the Indian ideas of knowledge and a part of the corresponding scheme of life and values which evolved in the Gurukula system. Subsequently it took multiple channels and spread its historical course along various schools and systems culminating in the great universities extending from Takshasila in Pakistan to Mahasthangarh in eastern Bangladesh. Dr K N Madhusudanan Pillai’s and Dr Srikala Devi’s work on the Genesis Growth, Development and Decline of Indian education examines the diverse ideas, themes, principles and historical sites associated with this historical comprehension .It juxtaposes the fundamental concept of knowledge in India and its historical development.
The Vedic and post Vedic development of education are discussed in the first chapter .The second chapter examines the growth of education during the Epic Period and the development of Sakhas, Gotras and Parishads as well as the Asrama system. The author examines the evolution of nuclear centres of education such as Takshasila, Nalanda, Vikramasila, Vallabhi and Benares. The architecture of these ancient sites as well as the curriculum are well discussed. The expansion and diversification of higher education from the eighth century to pre – modern period is the central theme of the third chapter .Monastries such as Ratnagiri, Odantapuri, Sompura, Jaggadala, Mithila and Nadia are discussed. The key role played by Ghatikas, Mutts and Agraharas in peninsular India are examined using historical records.
The implementation of colonial system and its impact on traditional system is debated by the author in the final chapter. The new rules and regulations by the East India Company as well as educational surveys, colonial curriculum, distribution of educational funds, beginning of provincial educational departments, Indian Educational Service, University Commissions as well as human resource development after Independence are presented by the author aided by graphs and tables.
The concluding chapter examines the need for an indigenous system of education envisaged by Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo and Mahatma Gandhi. There are extensive references for each chapter.
It is a very useful handbook for a researcher and layman interested in educational research. -Dr B S Harishankar
Food For Thought
Intro: The author is right that improvement in Kashmir is only possible through more honest and sustained efforts to maintain the momentum till such time as peace is firmly embedded “to allow the region to get onto a path of irreversible progress and prosperity”.
Jammu and Kashmir-The Tide Turns, Jaibans Singh, Lancers Publications, Rs 995,