Must Reject Macaulay Mindset To Become Developed Nation By 2047: Edu min Pradhan

Nagpur: Slamming the legacy of the Macaulay education system, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday said India must free itself from the colonial mindset to realise the vision of a developed nation by 2047. Addressing the 27th annual day function of Bhonsala Military School here, Pradhan said that such institutions were conceived precisely to counter the psychological and intellectual impact of colonial rule on Indian society and its armed forces.Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent Mann Ki Baat address, Pradhan said, "The world is looking at India with great hope because of its youth power. The youth power present here will lay the foundation of a developed India and will provide leadership to the country in the 21st century."Tracing the ideological roots of Bhonsala Military School, Pradhan recalled that it was founded in 1937 by Dr Balakrishna Shivram Munje, with a revolutionary vision to Indianise the Army under British rule. "Even before Independence, Dr Munje envisioned doing away with the Macaulay education system. He aimed to take Indian society beyond the mentality of servitude, beyond the colonial mindset," Pradhan said.Referring to PM Modi's recent remarks recalling Lord Macaulay's Minute, that introduced English as the medium of instruction in education the year 1835, Pradhan said, "The event will complete 200 years in the next decade. By that time, we must reject that colonial mindset and build a society that Dr Munje envisioned almost before independence."Calling Maharashtra a land that embodies India's military prowess, the minister cited the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. "The guerrilla warfare of Shivaji's army and their ability to make a significant impact with fewer soldiers is not just an example for India, but for the whole world," he said.Highlighting reforms under the National Education Policy 2020, Pradhan announced, "For the first time since independence, the valour and achievements of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Maratha soldiers were included in NCERT textbooks," ensuring that students across India learn this history in the correct perspective.Looking ahead to India@2047, Pradhan said the journey to a developed nation would require careful strategy and the collective harnessing of India's youth power. Expressing confidence in Bhonsala Military School, he revealed plans to develop it into Bhonsala Defence University, aligned with the vision of PM Modi, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Nitin Gadkari. He also spoke of a defence manufacturing cluster coming up in Nagpur."The excellence of this school made me feel like I was watching the Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path," he said. "Not just soldiers are being created here. The equipment to defend the world will be manufactured in Nagpur in the coming days," he said.Colonel Rajesh Bandhe, Commanding Officer of 13 J&K Rifles, was also present as the Guest of Honour. The event was also attended by Suryaratan Daga, chairman of CHME Society, Nagpur Division, Rahul Dixit, secretary of CHME Society, Nagpur Division, Shailesh Joglekar, Chairman of Bhonsala Military School, and Colonel Amarendra Hardas, Commandant of Bhonsala Military School, along with senior faculty members, parents, alumni and students of the institution.Earlier, Pradhan visited Smruti Mandir in Reshimbagh. He also visited and paid homage at Deekshabhoomi.