Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas is committed to establish the concept of the wider meaning of Kumbha in front of the whole world. After the 12 Kumbhas that take place in 12 years, an opportunity of a Maha Kumbha comes. This opportunity will take place once in 144 years in Vikram Samvat 2081. The Nyas’s National General Secretary, Atul Kothari has called upon educationists from all over the country. These educationists will prepare an educational manifesto by thinking deeply on three main topics – Bharatiya knowledge tradition, self-reliance through education and implementation of the National Education Policy, which will form the basis of the form of Bharat-centric education.
Atul Kothari says that the Maha Kumbh, which is coming after a gap of 144 years, is historic in itself and we are all very fortunate to be witnesses to it. Explaining the importance of the wider meaning of Kumbh, he says that Kumbh does not have only religious or sectarian importance, but it is the result of a broad thinking of ancient sages. Not only is the astrological importance of bathing in the Sangam in a particular constellation, but the festival of Kumbh is also a means to collectively solve various supernatural, physical and spiritual problems of the country. People from every corner of India gather at one place and find solutions to their problems which they are unable to solve at the local level. Kumbh is not limited to just a fair or bath, it is also a festival that gives the message of _Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam_ to the whole world. The person coming here may be of any caste, gender, place or sect, everyone takes bath together at the same ghat while eating food from the bhandaar. There is no discrimination of any kind in the arrangement of their food. Many researchers have also presented research papers on this management of Kumbh. In such a positive environment, it will be a matter of great fortune for the educationists to contemplate on the Bharatiya view of education.
The sages of Bharat have surprised the world with their intelligence since ancient times. The study of consciousness, Charak’s pharmacology, Sushruta’s surgery, Kanada’s atom and gravitation theory, Baudhayana’s Bhuj Koti Karna Theorem, Pingal’s Chhandashastra and many other subjects which amaze even the modern scientists, the knowledge of such sages has been present with us for thousands of years in the form of Bharatiya knowledge tradition. The expansion of this knowledge gives rise to sustainable development, solution-oriented vision and the feeling of moving together, hence extensive contemplation on Indian knowledge tradition is necessary.
The main objective of education is character building and overall development of personality. If education is meaningful, then one does not have to struggle for employment and self-reliance. The Indian system of education always paves the way from a self-reliant student to a self-reliant nation, so thinking is necessary to create a positive educational environment in the country.
The National Education Policy is the most appropriate means to fulfill both the above objectives, so a comprehensive discussion is also very necessary in this Maha Kumbh regarding the successful implementation of the education policy. These discussions are important for educationists as well as students and parents, so along with educationists, parents and students are also invited to this historic Gyan Maha Kumbh.
To give a comprehensive form to the Gyan Maha Kumbh, considering Adi Shankaracharya as the ideal, one Gyan Kumbh has been organized in each of the four directions of India before this Gyan Maha Kumbh. In the organization of Gyan Kumbh in Nalanda (Bihar), Karnavati (Gujarat), Puducherry and Haridwar, along with a comprehensive discussion on regional topics related to education, their participation in the Gyan Maha Kumbh has been invited. The Gyan Maha Kumbh to be organized by Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas from 10 January to 10 February 2025 will be an educational festival setting historic standards.
Dr. Ayush Gupta, National Co-convenor, Prachar, Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas
