"The Message of Visva Bharati"-

Summary
The Message of Visva Bharati
Indira Gandhi

Indira Gandhi, the former prime minister of India delivered this speech at an annual
convocation at Visva-Bharati. She begins her speech by stating her happiness to be there. She
remembers that place as where her mind and spirit unfolded. The prime minister of the
country is called as Acharya of that University; hence she wears the scarf of Acharya. She
recollects her presence to that university along with her mother around 30 years ago.
Visva-Bharati was founder on 22 Dec. 1921 by Rabindranath Tagore. He was fondly
called as Gurudev, who did not want to follow the British system of education and who
desired to preserve culture through education. His aim in starting this university was to give
freedom and interest to the students. It is a place where students and teachers live together as
a community to learn. Here Degree is not awarded based on the finishing of a course by
merely writing exams where as it is based on the development of knowledge. Indira Gandhi
says that Tagore molded the mind of modern India. He was called as Sentinel of India, means
the Guardian of culture by Mahatma Gandhi. He was also known as sage, great poet and
teacher.
Visva –Bharati is unique in its nature. It is based on the old concept of ‘ashram’
(hermitage) where teachers and students have good relationship. It is close to nature. The
university integrates humanities and science with art and music. For Tagore Visva Bharati
was not just a university. He saw it as a meeting place for great individuals from all over the
world. He encouraged the education system which cherished the values of Indian culture and
life. He was also concerned about the creative role of education. He thought that educated
society only can present civilized and democratic life without violence. It enables people to
handle public life carefully that results in private happiness.
Indira Gandhi gives the role of universities as torchbearers of the societal progress. So
all the universities should self-study how far they have created a new direction of thought and
action to the younger generation in order to prepare them for new age. Development in
education leads to national progress. The quality of education should not be measured
through the statistical report of pass percentage but it should reflect on the quality of life,
value culture and technological and intellectual competence. In many universities teachers
and students are not together. University should be a place where higher values and idealism
exists.
The purpose of education is to provide good workers and managers to a nation. It also
should provide good thinkers. Education is not merely to get a job whereas it should pave for
educational endeavour. Education is a continuous process that happens from birth to death.
When one stops learning, he/she stops living. One’s whole life process and experience is
education.
 Indira Gandhi concludes her speech by quoting Gurudev. He said that he has faith
upon the students of the nation. They will wipe off the colonial shame of this country through
their devotion and achievement. Never think about doing things in an easy way or in short
cut. You will do things in disciplined way. Visva- Bharati does not live with its past
reputation but it moves in forward as it has constant touch with the changing world.