JNU Vice Chancellor Prof. Shantishri Dhulipudi Pandit Calls for Support to Indian Knowledge Systems

JNU Vice Chancellor Prof. Shantishri Dhulipudi Pandit highlighted the challenges faced by Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) initiatives at the Annual Academic Conference on IKS that concluded yesterday. Prof. Shantishri said that many IKS initiatives are underfunded, under-implemented, under-conceptualised, and often treated as secondary electives.

Speaking at the conference, Prof. Shantishree said, “Despite institutional efforts post New Education Policy (NEP-2020), the colonial mindset persists, creating a hierarchy where the Western framework is considered universal, while the Indian framework is considered narrow.”

Additionally, she highlighted the severe shortage of qualified and trained teachers and the absence of programs that can successfully incorporate Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) into traditional education. “This is a call to democratize knowledge and facilitate a renaissance that restores our intellectual heritage.

”Democratising knowledge requires integrating perspectives from tribal communities, feminism, Shramanaism, Buddhism, and Jainism,” the JNU Vice Chancellor said.

Also Read: ‘Poaching Centers: Vice President of India Slams Growing Coaching Institutes, Calls Them ‘Black Holes’ for Talent