The National Education Conclave 2021, the University Connect Initiative by Heartfulness Education Trust, on its second day, focused on the National Education Policy (NEP), emphasising the existing education system and the need to inculcate integrative, Holistic and ‘Heart-Centered education across the country. Day 2 of the virtual conclave had eminent speakers including Dr Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman- All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), Dr R A Mashelkar, Padma Vibhushan, National Research Professor, Dr Ishvar Basavaraddi, CEO - Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), Ronnie Screwvala, Founder, Swades Foundation & Chairman and Co-Founder- upGrad, Dr James Doty, Founder – Center for Compassion and Altruism, Research and Education (CCARE), Stanford University School of Medicine and Dr Kamlesh Patel (also known as Daaji), Guide of Heartfulness.
The first session on the second day of the conclave was focused on National Education Policy (NEP) - Inspiring Socio-Emotional Learning Through University Education wherein Dr Raghunath A Mashelkar, Padma Vibhushan, National Research Professor emphasised the importance of right education- one that is balanced, holistic and which aims at drawing the full force of compassion in the heart & helps us imbibe ‘heartfulness’ in each action that we take. Dr Mashelkar further said that Education of the Heart is the Heart of True Education and realizing and actualizing this education would contribute to Atma Nirbhar Bharat with Atma Vishwas and Atma Samman.
Dr Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman- All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) talked about the existence of Heartfulness since the time of Gurukula system i.e. around seven thousand years back, even before the world witnessed the concept of Universities. Detailing further about the concept, he mentioned about institutions like Nalanda, Takshila, Vikramshila in India where students from across the world came to study. The crux of his discussion highlighted on the Teachers or Gurus then and how they engaged and inculcated education amongst their students.
In his keynote session on Redefining University Education for the institutionalisation of Socio-Emotional Learning Outcomes, Dr Sahasrabudhe further mentioned that the new education policy is trying to re-invent what existed thousands of years ago, also known as the Indian Knowledge system. It is necessary to have the right mix of knowledge transformation starting from primary school to the university level. It is of utmost importance to bring in the right connection whether it is between the teacher and the students or between students.
