The 40th Ramabai Ranade Memorial Lecture, a highlight of the Sevasadan Education Society's centenary celebrations held over Saturday and Sunday in Nagpur, placed a powerful emphasis on redefining education. The event moved beyond conventional academic success, advocating for a balanced and holistic approach to nurture well-rounded, responsible individuals capable of shaping India's future.
Beyond Textbooks: Defining True Education
Addressing the gathering, Sanjay Malpani, national president of the Gita Parivar, articulated a vision where education is not confined to textbooks and examinations. He stressed that true learning must aim at shaping balanced, responsible, and capable individuals. Malpani proposed that students need guidance to understand the fundamental 'equations of life,' learning to handle both honour and insult with equal composure.
He directly addressed parental pressures, stating, "Parents should ease the pressure of excessive expectations, particularly regarding academic scores, as it hampers holistic personality development." He clarified that genuine intelligence is cultivated through discipline, consistency, and sustained practice, not just by chasing high marks.
Urgent Call for Systemic Reforms in Learning
Malpani underlined the urgent need for reforms in school and college education systems. A key recommendation was the early identification of children's natural abilities. "Children should be assigned tasks based on their natural abilities at an early stage to help them identify their strengths and future potential," he said. This tailored approach, he argued, builds resilience, enabling students to face success, failure, profit, and loss with balance while fostering creativity and self-confidence.
He further emphasized that education must harmonize the development of the mind, heart, and hands. "Intellectual growth, emotional and moral values, and practical skills must progress together to nurture well-rounded personalities," Malpani explained. He also highlighted a critical health concern, pointing out that nearly 20% of schoolchildren suffer from adolescent obesity, underscoring the non-negotiable need for physical activity and a disciplined lifestyle as part of holistic development.
Building Ethical Careers and Contributing to Nation-Building
Adding an industry perspective, Vishal Agrawal, Managing Director of RC Plasto Tanks and Pipes Pvt Ltd, addressed the students directly. He urged them to focus on building strong professional careers rooted in a triad of knowledge, practical experience, and ethical values.
Agrawal encouraged the young minds to think beyond the conventional goal of job-seeking. He inspired them to aspire higher—to become job creators, wealth generators, and supporters of innovation. His message was a call to contribute meaningfully to both national and economic development, framing career success within a larger context of societal contribution.
The lecture, as part of the Sevasadan Education Society's 100-year milestone, served as a significant platform reiterating that the future of education lies in creating empathetic, skilled, and ethically grounded citizens, prepared for life's myriad challenges beyond the classroom.
