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The New Indian Express, May
14, 2002.
Kolkata, May 13: The Ramayana. and the Mahabharata may soon form
a part of the curriculum in IIT-Kharagpur. If Sisir Dube, the new
director has his way, students, will have to attend classes on ancient
Indian culture and tradition along with their engineering courses.
Dube wants to make the students “true Indians” by including
lessons in moral science, early Indian history and mythology. “Today's
younger generation know little about the culture and tradition of
our country,” said Dube, adding “in fact, they always
look to the West for inspiration and role models. They think of
leaving the country and settling abroad as soon as they finish their
education here. I want to inculcate in them a sense of Indianness,
pride in being an Indian and (desire to) serve the nation by staying
back in the country.”
Lamenting the fact that the youth. have no knowledge of the ancient
scriptures, he queried: “Where do you find religious tolerance
like in India? Go to, Saudi Arabia and see the difference. But students
do not know this greatness of Indian culture. I want them to learn
it here.”
He pointed out that students, although ignorant about Indian culture,
keep abreast with all that's happening in the West. “You ask
them the name of Lord Krishna's sister — and they will have
a blank look. But ask them about latest hits of Michael Jackson
or Madonna, and they will rattle off all their songs,” said
the IIT Director.
However, Dube is yet to give a final shape to his endeavour.
“It may be an elective course or a training programme comprising
of seminars and lectures. I have not yet finalised it, but I definitely
want to change the mindset of my students,” he said. The director
also expressed his desire to develop traditional technologies used
by Indians since ancient times to improve the quality of life and
protect themselves from the fury of nature.
“These technologies are conducive to our environment and are
eco-friendly. I have plans to develop them and integrate them into
modem technologies,” he said.
Citing the example of indigo plantation, he said: “Synthetic
blue Is harmful and should be shunned. Similarly, we should try
and develop organic manures instead of chemical fertilisers. We
should also develop technologies used by villagers to build embankments
to protect themselves from floods.”
- Express News Service .
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