Raghav JhunjhunwalaAIR 4 · CSE 2025 · 307 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening
The recent opening of Nalanda 2.0 has stoked the needs to revisit our rich pasts & derive critical lessons for today's ailing universities.
Body · points and prose
Contrasting Features
| Basis | Nalanda-taxila | modern univ. |
|---|---|---|
| (1) curriculum | Highly Independent & cutting-edge learning, topmost discourse | Fixed, no Autonomy to colleges except the premiere ones (like IITs) |
| (2) Regulatory | more freedom & Autonomy | Regulatory jungle today & over restrictions |
| (3) multidisciplinary Education | Buddhism, Indian School, etc. | Focus upon stream specialization & watertight separation |
| (4) Relationships | Guru-shishya parampara | Teachers as absent Ring masters, Profit motive |
Comparable Features
| Basis | Nalanda-taxila | modern univ. |
|---|---|---|
| (1) Global connect | mahayanists from round the world came to study @taxila, nalanda | NEP 2020 encourages Cross-border branch opening |
| (2) merit basis | Nalanda had its own Entrance Exam, very strict | today's: paper leaks controversy etc |
| (3) Dedicated learning centres | large campus sizes, with dedicated facilities like hostels, etc. |
Ancient produced : Buddha, Kautilya
Today's Production : Satya Nadella
What lessons need to be drawn today?
(1) Autonomy a) ↳ Institutions must be allowed to frame own curriculum & design courses.
(2) Expenditure a) ↳ we are much behind the levels recommended by TSR Subramanian committee (6%) b) ↳ need to invest more in R&D, Infra Boost
(3) Objective & Aims a) ↳ older Institutions focussed more upon value-based & skill based Education
(4) Pedagogy
Close
Discourse & Debate based --> marks & Exam based
Today only ~50.3% Graduates Employable (India Skills Report, 2023)
It's now high time, the cultural pasts & its grandeur is revived by India once again: 'VidyaDhanam Sarvapradhanam'