S. KULWANT SINGH I.A.S. (RETD.)
CHAIRMAN, BHARATIYA VIDYA BHAVAN PANCHKULA

The system of education in India continues to be essentially the same as was designed by the British in the light of their requirements and perceptions. Inspite of a number of Education Commissions’ recommendations & other policy announcements from time to time, the basic pattern remains the same with some modifications in the curriculum and the system and stages of examinations.

The tremendous progress in communications technology has made the world truly a small place and information has become almost universal – the only impediments being of a personal nature. It is, therefore, imperative that students in India should also follow virtually the same curriculum as their contemporaries in the rest of the world.

That alone will enable us to play our destined part in the affairs of the world. However, mere command of modern technology and information alone is not sufficient to ensure happiness. To transcend the mundane, it is essential to culture the mind from within to make it strong, to enable it to face the moral,ethical and spiritual challenges in addition to the mere economic and material issues. The need is for a value based orientation and not mere mastery of the value – added techniques. It is to that end that special features of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan can be commended.

A good system of education should aim at holistic development of the personality of an individual to ensure peace and happiness in his life. It should also ensure that the mind of an individual is so cultured as to enable one to comprehend and accomplish his full potential – of mind, body and spirit – in personal and social spheres. BharatiyaVidyaBhavan ensues such development by inculcating in the individual: habits of reverence for learning and for the teacher, humility in achievement & devotion to duty – the ultimate goal being self-realisation through gyana, karma and bhakti. Thus, it is a complete system of education which gives depth to the curriculum to ensure harmony between the individual and his physical and social environment. The challenge of modern education has been summed up beautifully by an American author “We are drowning in information and starved for knowledge.” It is to this challenge that BharatiyaVidyaBhavan offers a complete answer. Let us all join hands in making it a success.