Anil Kumar Singh
Chairman
(Former IAS)
Education to me is a leading out of what is already there in the pupil's soul. Our ancestors did not ask for richness, wealth or opulence. They asked for “तमसोमाज्योतिर्गमय,“ i.e. a leading out to light (knowledge) from the abyss of darkness (ignorance). They could clearly see education as an empowering tool and a great liberating force of human souls from the shackles of dogmatic prejudices of the past ( ‘साविद्यायाविमुक्तये’ ). What else is education but the reverent joining of the past to the gloom of the future by making wise use of the present? Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another.
Holistic and quality education is the deepest and most immediate need of the country, and it is a matter of great rejoicing for a person like me to whom destiny has given the first opportunity for identifying and associating with the larger life and hope of the nation. We want not only a free India, a prosperous and powerful India, but a great India, taking a place of pride among the comity of nations. But an ignited soul rich with the inheritance of the past, richer gains of the present, and ever-widening potentialities of the future can only come by a system of modern education which is a golden blend of tradition and modernity. One of my favourite professors at the university used to say that drink deep from the well of knowledge. Do not be a prisoner of a particular idea or ideology; let knowledge and wisdom come to you from all possible sources, national or foreign. This aligns with the Vedic philosophy of education as preached by our ancient scripture Rigveda, “ आनोभद्राःक्रतवोयन्तुविश्वतः” let noble thoughts come to us from all directions.
May this new beginning bring you all the happiness and success you deserve.
