HYDERABAD:
The National Education Conclave 2021, the University Connect Initiative by Heartfulness Education Trust, on its second day, focused on the National Education Policy (NEP), emphasizing 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.
One of the key highlights of the conclave was the presenting of the Heartful Awards ceremony with Heartfulness Education Trust felicitating Faculties and Youth Ambassadors across universities as a recognition for the praiseworthy efforts they made in their respective fields. A total of 37 Faculties and Youth Ambassadors were awarded across 4 Categories that included Heartful Professor Award, Heartful Educator Award, Special Jury Appreciation and Heartful Youth Ambassador Award.
Daaji, Guide of Heartfulness after launching the ‘Heartful Campus’ said, “Education is the only path towards a better tomorrow and the right mix of education is the only way to an enlightened society. At National Education Conclave 2021, the sole objective was to amplify the awareness about the Heartful approach in the education system of the country and emphasizing the responsibilities of the educational institutions to inspire and empower the students towards a better tomorrow.”
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 emphasized 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 institutionalization 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.
Dr James Doty, Founder – Center for Compassion and Altruism, Research and Education (CCARE), Stanford University School of Medicine, while addressing the session on Role of Universities in Inspiring Positive Health & Lifestyle in Youth, highlighted the aspects that lead to stress and anxiety that is critical to oneself, especially amongst students. He further emphasized on the large percentage of students who are more critical of themselves than anyone and getting hypercritical proves detrimental and direct one inward in a negative way and causes potential consequences. He mentioned that a human being’s value has nothing to do with their academic credentials and their position. A human beings value has to do with their heart. Do they love, do they care, are they Gentle, are they Compassionate ?
