IKS Initiatives Hampered by Colonial Hangover: JNU VC Sounds Alarm
JNU Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit has raised serious concerns about the inadequate progress of Indian Knowledge System (IKS) initiatives. She points to a critical lack of funding, poor implementation strategies, and flawed conceptualization as major obstacles.
The VC highlighted the lingering impact of colonial mindsets as a significant impediment to the effective promotion of IKS. She emphasized the urgent need for a paradigm shift in approach.
Professor Pandit advocated for the establishment of dedicated departments focused on IKS within universities. This, she argued, is crucial for effective teaching and research.
Crucially, she stressed the need for adequately trained faculty to deliver IKS curricula. The current lack of expertise is a major bottleneck, she noted.
Furthermore, the VC called for inclusive curricula that incorporate diverse perspectives from across the country, ensuring a truly democratic approach to knowledge dissemination.
The Initiative for Indian Knowledge Systems and Heritage (IKSHA) is actively working to create a robust academic framework for IKS. However, the success of this initiative hinges on addressing the systemic challenges highlighted by the JNU VC.
The concerns raised by Professor Pandit underscore the need for a comprehensive and well-funded national strategy for promoting IKS. The future of India’s intellectual heritage depends on overcoming these deeply entrenched obstacles.
