Shillong, Feb 24: In commemoration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, a two-day exhibition cum awareness programme celebrating 75 years of India’s Independence and Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) was on Thursday inaugurated by Prof. T B Subha, Acting VC of NEHU, Shillong.
Held at the Multiuse Convention Hall, NEHU, the programme is organized by the Regional Outreach Bureau, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India in collaboration with the Dean Student’s Welfare, NEHU and Research Scholars Forum, NEHU.
Speaking as the Chief Guest, Prof. Subha said despite gaining freedom 75 years ago, our thinking, our ideas, values and practices are still influenced by western culture. “It is only when we free ourselves from habits and practices which are not ingrained in our culture, we can really say that we are totally free or Azad,” he expressed.
He also stressed on the need to decolonise the curriculum and cited examples of Universities like Oxford and Cambridge which are undertaking huge exercises to do the same. Stating that the new Education Policy does not address decolonising of the curriculum, he felt the need to think differently about decolonising and also about decolonising institutions of higher education which have been running in an archaic fashion.
NEHU Registrar Dr. Jay Narayan reminded the gathering that India with universities like Nalanda and Taxila was the pioneer of higher education and will continue to remain so. Instead of always turning to the West, he urged the academia to learn from the past and move forward with determination in propelling India towards a brighter future.
As part of the programme prizes were also given away to the winners of the Patriotic Lori Writing competition held earlier.
