THREE of the four Essays in this volume were written while the author was still at Oxford. Since that time he has been connected with one of the most important educational institutions in India which has brought him into close touch with the problems of Indian Education. He has also had opportunities of coming into close contact with the educational authorities of more than one important Indian state. These experiences have however only convinced him of the general soundness of the position he has taken up in these Essays.
The last two years in India have witnessed a steady growth of opinion with regard to educational problems. The Calcutta University Commission, presided over by so eminent an educationist as Sir Michael Sadler and containing such distinguished men as Prof. Ramsay Muir, Sir Ashutosh Mukherjea and the Hon'ble Dr. Ziauddin Ahmad have issued a comprehensive report which though. concerned mainly with the Calcutta University deal with broad questions of educational principle, organisation and policy that it can be said to mark as definite step in the history of Indian education. The report of Prof. Patrick Geddes on "the proposed University for Central India, at Indore" and the Memorandum of Prof. P. Seshadri on "a University for Baroda" are also documents of importance in the growth of Indian educational opinion.
These are only reflective of the vast changes that have been taking place in India, movements that have been broadening the basis and renovating the ideals of Indian society. The last quarter of a century has brought nations and civilisations more into direct contact with one another. Englishmen have found out as Sir Michael Sadler said lately that India is but next door. The reaction of this culture-contact has been tremendous in India. It is expressing itself in all phases of national life. In politics, in art, in literature, no less than in education, this movement to examine, to re-adjust and if necessary to reform has been very decided and clear.
The profound and far-reaching changes that have come over India during the last 15 years need not be elaborated here. The Indian Renascence of this century is certainly a fact comparable alike in its massive effect as in its varied forms to the great movement in Europe during the later half of the 15th century. A slow inward unrest preparing for great and fundamental social changes is the main characteristic of the Indian life of to-day.
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist