Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar made an incalculable contribution to women’s rights and education within the sociocultural framework of the 19th century. Discuss. (250 words)
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was India's first Vice President who played a v a vital role in enhancing India's educational system. His birthday, 5th September, is celebrated as Teachers' Day in India. Contribution of S. Radhakrishnan in the field of education Contribution in teaching: Dr. RadhakrishRead more
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was India’s first Vice President who played a v a vital role in enhancing India’s educational system. His birthday, 5th September, is celebrated as Teachers’ Day in India. Contribution of S. Radhakrishnan in the field of education
- Contribution in teaching: Dr. Radhakrishnan remained a teacher throughout his life.
- He had a long academic career and taught at Chennai’s Presidency College and Calcutta University, and even served as the vice chancellor of Andhra Pradesh University and BHU.
- He also taught Eastern Religions and Ethics at Oxford for 16 years.
- He also taught at the Mysore University, University of Calcutta, and University of Chicago.
- Improving university system: After India attained independence, Dr. Radhakrishnan headed the University Commission in 1948.
- His committee played a pivotal role in shaping an education system based on India’s needs at the time.
- The Radhakrishnan Commission Report was India’s first evaluation of the university system.
- Views on education: According to him, Education is acquiring knowledge beyond what is academic and professional. It is the assimilation of values and ideas for character building and preparing to face life’s challenges.
- Indian Philosophy: He played a huge role in placing Indian philosophy on the global map. He focused on Hindu schools of thought and expanded his area of interest to include Buddhist teachings and theories.
Contribution in the field of Foreign Affairs
- Ambassador to the USSR from 1949 to 1952:
- Through his peaceful diplomatic brokering, he successfully established a cordial relationship between India and the Soviet Union. This was further aided by the efforts of Dr. Radhakrishnan in developing good relations with people close to Joseph Stalin.
- As a President: Dr. Radhakrishnan also served as the second President of India from 1962 to 1967.
- He voiced issues concerning both India and the world during his term as President.
- It is said that he had postulated a peace plan for the Vietnam War in 1965.
- Represented India at international organisations:
- League of Nations: In 1931 he was nominated to the League of Nations Committee for Intellectual Cooperation. √ Dr. Radhakrishnan also challenged what he saw as the divisive potential and dominating character of self-professed international organizations such as the League of Nations. √ Instead, he called for the promotion of a creative internationalism based on the spiritual foundations of integral experience.
- UNESCO: Dr. Radhakrishnan had been actively involved in the newly incorporated UNESCO serving on its Executive Board as well as leading the Indian delegation from 1946-1951.
The life of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and his contributions are great assets for the school of Indian modern philosophy. He was a man of knowledge and an educationist, and he contributed a lot to the field of education and foreign affairs.
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Indian educator and social reformer Ishwar Chandra Bandyopadhyay lived in the nineteenth century. His attempts to modernise and streamline Bengali prose were noteworthy. In addition, he rationalised and simplified the Bengali alphabet and type, which had not been altered since the first (wooden) BenRead more
Indian educator and social reformer Ishwar Chandra Bandyopadhyay lived in the nineteenth century. His attempts to modernise and streamline Bengali prose were noteworthy. In addition, he rationalised and simplified the Bengali alphabet and type, which had not been altered since the first (wooden) Bengali type was cut in 1780 by Charles Wilkins and Panchanan Karmakar.
Because he couldn’t afford a gas lamp at home, he used to study under street lights because his thirst for knowledge was so great. He completed each test with distinction and expeditiously. His excellent academic standing earned him several scholarships. Ishwar Chandra also took a part-time job as a teacher at Jorashanko to help support the family.
Ishwar Chandra joined the Sanskrit College, Calcutta and studied there for twelve long years and graduated in 1841 qualifying in Sanskrit Grammar, Literature, Dialectics, Vedanta, Smriti and Astronomy.
Vidyasagar advocated for improving women’s status in India, especially in Bengal, where he was born. He aimed to change society from within, in contrast to some other reformers who wanted to establish new societies or institutions. Additionally, Vidyasagar opposed polygamy—the practice of men marrying multiple girls—and child marriage.
Many of these girls would run away and turn to prostitution in order to support themselves because they could no longer stand the mistreatment. Paradoxically, many of them were able to achieve success in their careers after leaving society’s sanction and entering the demi-monde thanks to the city’s economic prosperity and opulent lifestyles. It was estimated that 12,700 public women and prostitutes lived in Calcutta in 1853.
Vidyasagar had laughed earlier in 1854 when a wealthy man from Bengal’s goldsmith caste was admitted to Sanskrit College in Calcutta. He argued that “the goldsmith class (Subarnabanik) stands very low in the scale of castes.” Remarkably, Vidyasagar biographer Sanjib Chattopadhyay disclosed that Ishwar Chandra received his primary education at a school run by wealthy Calcutta goldsmith Shibcharan Mallick.
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