'India's modern education tilted towards leading materialistic life': Dalai Lama

Modern India's education system is slightly tilted towards creating a materialistic life, society and culture, the 14th Dalai Lama stressed on Saturday. India needs to incorporate ancient Indian knowledge in the academic curriculum and teach students how to tackle their emotions. "The Indian yoga needs to be practised in order to build a healthy body,'' the 83-year-old Buddhist leader said while delivering a talk on courage and compassion in 21st century, to a gathering comprising mostly of young professionals and students at Conrad hotel in Trinity circle.

The peace icon emphasised on the reviving of ancient Indian knowledge and added that Indian texts provide an individual with the kind of peace and inner strength capable of tackling all problems of the modern world. "This powerful combination of modern education and ancient Indian knowledge will attract other countries like China, Vietnam and the rest of the world to adopt the same in their countries. India has an opportunity to serve millions of people around the world with their ancient wisdom, a virtual treasure trove.

This ancient wisdom can help to bring in peace and order in a world that is going through a crisis, including in leadership. Observing that India is home to many traditional religions that go back to nearly 2,000 years ago, Dalai Lama said time had come for India to showcase its religious harmony to the rest of world. "India, as the only country in the world where different religions co-exist peacefully, needs to project itself as a model country,'' Dalai Lama stressed at Vidyaloke Talks organised by Vana Foundation.

On the need to be compassionate he said basic human nature is to be compassionate. Compassion is the basis of survival and a key to bring people together.