New Delhi: In a significant celebration held at the Manekshaw Centre Auditorium, New Delhi, the Ministry of Education commemorated the fourth anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 with the Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam (ABSS) 2024. The event was graced by key figures, including the Minister of State for Education & Minister of State (IC), Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, and the Minister of State for Education & Development of North Eastern Region, Dr Sukanta Majumdar.
Joining them were Shri K. Sanjay Murthy, Secretary of the Department of Higher Education; Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education & Literacy, along with a host of academicians, vice-chancellors, officials, and students.
A Tribute to Indian Knowledge Systems
The highlight of the celebration was the unveiling of several pivotal publications by the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Division of the Ministry of Education, designed to foster a deeper understanding of IKS among students and educators. Among these was a comprehensive collection of lecture notes from the Faculty Training Program for Master Trainers in IKS, spearheaded by Shri Anurag Deshpande and Shri S. Sriram of the IKS Division. This initiative, conducted in collaboration with the University Grants Commission (UGC), has unfolded in three stages over the past year, offering rich insights into various disciplines, including Chemistry, Agriculture, Ayurveda, Mathematics, and more, underscored by philosophical foundations and methods intrinsic to IKS.
Noteworthy Publications
The event also saw the release of “Kautilya’s Arthashastra: Timeless Strategies for Modern Governance,” co-authored by Vinayak Rajat Bhat and Tejusvi Shukla. This work reinterprets the ancient text with modern applications, serving as a crucial resource for scholars and practitioners alike.
Another significant publication, “Marma Kannadi: Decoding the Human Body the Siddha Way” by Gurukkal Dr. S. Mahesh, explores the ancient martial art of Kalaripayattu and Siddha medicine, shedding light on the sage Agasthya’s profound teachings.
The “Shodha Vijaya,” a scholarly exploration of the grandeur of southern dynasties focusing on the Vijayanagara Karnata Kingdom, was also introduced. This compilation includes a variety of research articles covering aspects from theatre and dance to ancient scriptures, edited by Dr. Manorama B. N.
Also read: Ministry of Education Commemorates NEP 2020’s 4th Anniversary at Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam 2024
Future of Indian Knowledge Systems
Further enriching the event, Prof. Mohan Raghavan from IIT Hyderabad unveiled a report on the state of the Indian Knowledge Systems and Heritage (IKS & H) Industry. The report projects this sector to potentially evolve into a trillion-dollar industry within the next decade, driven by a unifying Indic identity and heritage across various domains such as Culinary, Textiles, Tourism, and Ayurveda.
Looking Ahead
The ABSS 2024 stands as a milestone event, reinforcing the synergy between traditional wisdom and contemporary educational frameworks. Initiated in July 2022 by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in Varanasi, the summit continues to foster dialogue, collaboration, and innovation among stakeholders, driving the effective implementation of NEP 2020 across India’s educational landscape.
