On 26 February 2021, Kannada Sangha Pune’s Kaveri College of Arts, Science and Commerce in association with Vidyapeeth Vikas Manch, Pune and Skillslate Foundation, Pune organized a National Webinar on ‘National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and Indian Ethos’.
The Inaugural Session of the Webinar was graced by the presence of stalwarts from the field of Indian Education,Chief Guest Dr. Bhushan Patwardhan,Vice Chairman, University Grants Commission, Keynote SpeakerShri Mukul Kanitkar, National Organising Secretary, Bhartiya Shikshan Mandal, Pune, Trustees and Management Members of Kannada Sangha,Dr. A.P. Kulkarni, Member, Vidyapeeth Vikas Manch, Pune and Mr. Ameya Agrawal, Founder, Skillslate Foundation, Pune. Dr. Ashok Agrawal, Principal Kaveri College welcomed all the dignitaries and introduced the programme to the participants. He emphasized that the real philosophy of the New Education Policy lies in the fact that the Policy focusses on ‘सा विद्या या विमुक्तये’ meaning ‘learning that secures us from all evils’. And Kaveri College believes in this philosophy to bring in holistic development of its students.
Mr. Kushal Hegde, President, Kannada Sangha Pune in his welcome address asserted that the NEP 2020 will transform India to become super power in education in future.Dr. Bhushan Patwardhan in his address acclaimed that the NEP 2020 is a remarkable reform, as the Policy is the right step towards transforming India into Bharat. He mentioned that Indian education has a rich legacy, Indian civilization was a centre of learning, imbibed in deep rooted culture, ‘Nalanda and Takshasheela’ being the base of Indian education and culture. And the Policy framed will rekindle the education practices of older times for the betterment of the society.Shri Mukul Kanitkar, in his keynote address on the topic ‘Role of teachers in NEP – Awareness, Challenges and Responses’, termed NEP 2020 as a revolutionary reform. He threw light on the making of the Policy and appealed that the Policy can be successfully implemented only when it is accepted by each member of the society, more so by the teachers.
The Technical Session witnessed deliberations on several aspects of the NEP 2020like NEP and Indian Ethos, Early Childhood Education to HSC, NEP and Higher Education by renowned educationist and Former Principal, Jnana Prabodhini Prashala, Pune Dr. Nalini Gujarathi, Dr. Neha Belsare, Director, MIEPA, Aurangabad and Dr. A. P. Kulkarni, Member, Board of Management, YCMOU, Pune and Member, Vidyapeeth Vikas Manch, Pune respectively. Dr. Gujarathi stated that the NEP 2020 lays the foundation for ethical and moral reasoning for building character for developing good human being in the better interest of the society. Dr. Belsarelauded NEP 2020 as the first Education Policy in India which gives much importance on ‘Baal Shiksha’. Quoting the nitty-gritty related to higher education system mentioned in NEP, Dr. Kulkarni shared that the reformed education system will enable Bharat to become Vishwaguru,bringing back the glorious experiences of Nalanda. If this materializes then Bharat will surely become atmanirbhar in education by 2040.
Dr. Nitin Karmalkar, Vice Chancellor, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune visited College as the Chief Guest of the Valedictory Session. Dr. Karmalkar, in his address, appreciated the efforts taken by the college to arrange the webinar. He also appreciated the social activities conducted by the College during pandemic. He added that the University has taken Covid-19 as an opportunity as it could assist the Government by extending facilities to conduct several tests at the laboratories of the University. He shared this in order to highlight on the fact that educational institutes must cater to the needs and requirements of the society. He emphasised that NEP 2020 will further strengthen the interdependence between learners and the society.
Mrs. MalatiKalmadi, Secretary, Kannada Sangha, Pune asserted that at Kaveri, Indian ethos are being carried out from the time of Sangha’s inception and its foray into the field of education in 1963. She added that Indian ethos will make India superpower and the education fraternity will enable it happen.
The National Webinar witnessed huge response.
