Book Summary of Ancient Indian Education : A Plea For Reintroduction As A Liberating Education From The Decandence Of Our Time
There are several outstanding books on Ancient Indian Education by Altekar, Das, Keay, Mookerjee that competently documented the System of Ancient Indian Education in all its details. A critical analysis of the Ancient Indian Education System from the angle of its relevance and applicability in modern times, however, was missing. This book meaningfully fills that void. It provides a rational and critical analysis of the Ancient Indian Education System and identify such dimensions that are applicable in modern times. Author, as a teacher and headmaster of a village high school, actually practised much of what he professed here.
This is not a dry intellectual exercise; it is based on author's experiments, experience and concerns. Author was significantly concerned about the social decadence of our times. His basic contention, in this book, is that certain aspects of ancient Indian education are still relevant and practiceable, and can arrest the social decadence.
Originally, this was not authored as a book. It was penned out of sheer enthusiasm of the author to inspire his son, a postgraduate student of education in the late 1960s. Author's son decided to share this treasure with others. Scholars and students of the education system of India will find this book enlightening.
20.12.03
Table of Contents : A Presentation
Social Decadence of our Times
Brahmacharyashram
Yajnas: Reaching out to God like Satature
Renunciation
Student: The Disciple
Modern Life Habits: The Contrast
Reorganizing Education
The Three Pillars
In Conclusion
Epilogue: Ancient and Modern Indian Education: The Verge
US$ 25
About author : Late Sri Nrisinha Prasad Mukhopadhyay was a lifelong learner and the founding headmaster of Udang High School in 1933. An erudite scholar and an exemplary classroom teacher, he not only enlightened and transformed the life of his students, but also transformed the entire rural community. With Distinction in Arts from Calcutta University in early 1920s, indeed a rare distinction those days, then job market would welcome him with open arms; he had all the choices within the teaching profession from the most prestigious schools in Calcutta to such rural corners. He chose rural society out of his conviction to be able to serve those 'who need most' his variety of talents of scholarship, commitment and conscience. He conducted his life with meticulous care to keep it clean to be able to meet the standards ordained by the Divine.
Editor
Professor Marmar Mukhopadhyay, son of the author, is currently Joint Director of NIEPA and former Chairman of National Open School and Former Vice President (Asia) of International Council of Distance Education. A reputed management scientist and trainer, he undertakes speaking assignments. He has contributed several titles on education including Education for a Global Society: the Interfaith Dimensions, Secondary Education: Challenge Ahead, Governance of School Education in India, Total Quality Management in Education, Optimising Human Learning, Indian Education: Development since Independence, etc. One of his forthcoming title is Educational Technology: Knowledge Assessment.
