Mohan Bhagwat Urges Higher Education Institutions to Foster Out-of-Box Thinking and Innovation

Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), highlighted the issue of young scholars' research being lost in bureaucracy. He urged leaders of higher education institutions to prevent this during a national conference at SGT University, Gurugram. Bhagwat emphasised the need for campuses to foster innovation and encourage students to think creatively.

Encouraging Innovation in Education

Bhagwat stressed that young people have the potential for innovative thinking but require the right environment. He noted that many innovative ideas from youth go unrecognised due to bureaucratic hurdles. "The government must be making all efforts from its side. It is doing so. But, we should look into this," he stated, urging vice-chancellors to support out-of-the-box thinking.

The conference, titled "Vision for Viksit Bharat--VIVIBHA 2024," was organised by Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal, an RSS affiliate. Its aim is to promote a research culture among youth by blending India's cultural heritage with modern techniques. Bhagwat encouraged vice-chancellors to provide space for innovation and research on campuses, stating that resources are secondary to intentions.

Integrating Tradition with Modernity

Bhagwat argued that significant research has been achieved not because of advanced equipment but due to researchers' enthusiasm. He urged educational institutions to create environments where knowledge advances without being restricted by systems. "Our teachers have to bring this environment to our universities," he said, advocating for experimentation and setting global examples.

He also emphasised that education should be Bharat-centric, contrasting it with Western development models. Bhagwat described India's approach as holistic and harmonious with nature, urging research to consider these principles. He noted past global experiments failed despite initial success due to environmental issues.

Historical Insights and Future Directions

Bhagwat reflected on India's historical leadership in various fields from the 1st to the 16th century. He mentioned India's discoveries and how stopping progress led to decline. Despite this, India demonstrated development without harming nature, offering examples like sustainable agriculture practiced for over a millennium without environmental degradation.

Discussing dharma's four pillars, Bhagwat said austerity purifies the mind and fosters empathy. He remarked on political rhetoric about poverty, questioning its sincerity but acknowledging that shared suffering can prevent exploitation of others' hardships.

Bhagwat concluded by calling for educational reform that aligns with India's unique developmental philosophy. He urged institutions to empower youth and set examples globally by showcasing India's capabilities in various fields.