On this day of Gurupurnima i feel compelled to write about the Education System India had for centuries.
The Gurukul system.
It dates back to 5th century BC that we know of & could easily be older
Guru & Guruma were treated as parents, respected more than the parents by birth
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The biggest attribute of this system was, it involved no fees or money. So it wasnt commercial.
Students from all walks of society were treated equally,given same education.
Even the son of a king had to do the common labour jobs of collecting firewood and Gau Seva.
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This helped the Princes to be more rooted with the issues of common men.
Education imparted included language, history, mythology, astronomy,Sceince, metallurgy, defence, home science, farming,hysbandry ,spirituality, moral science etc
So instead of focussing on one
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Subject, it focussed on over all growth of an individual.
Students stayed together, in minimum facilities, co existing & working together. This also led to ability of working as a team, curbed the arrogance of privilege & better prepared the rulers to withstand adversities
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The fees was given as Gurudakshina in terms of services offered to Ashrams or odd jobs.
This established the most unselfish and dedicated bond between the Guru and his disciples
गुरु गोविंद दोऊ खड़े
काके लागू पाय
बलिहारी गुरु आपने
गोविंद दियो बताए
What could explain better
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However, it's said that the people from lower caste, were not allowed in Gurukul
Which is as far from the fact as possible.
In Vishnu Purana, it's mentioned that the Guru is bound to give equal education to everyone
The choice of profession would then depend upon the individual 6

Chanakya also worked to prove the same. Many dynasties from Yadav to Morya cement this argument.
Mahabharata happened due to a Guru denying admission to a Sut putra, was later reprimanded by Krishna.
The deterioration of Gurukul started during Mughal invaders
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The biggest and worst attack was burning of Nalanda university that housed millions of sacred Hindu scriptures.
Such was the fear of Hinduism that, the education system was targeted first. From being the largest Library in the world to becoming house of Urban Naxals
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Nalanda University tells a story. The biggest bastions of Hinduism, UP, WB & Bihar witnessed the worst attack, genocide, radicalism and divide
So much so that Bihari was made a pun rather than a badge of honour. UP, Bihar were intentionally Kept away from being empowered
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Anyways,coming back to Gurukul, the above concept has disappeared & the modern system of education brought to India in the year 1835 by Lord Macauley is all about rat race to be ahead of others. There is a total absence of personality development, creation of moral conscience
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Ethical training is missing. One of the biggest flaws about this education is that it is more commercial in nature rather than an institutional concept that should impart holistic learning to the students.
Objectification of Guru & distortment of Guru Shishya relation
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Has further worsen the situation.
The present system of u look objectively, is also a big role player in inducing class and caste barriers.
Keeping the real deserving away, & only the ones with money or reservation in the mainstream.
Although the stress should have been
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On quality.
British & mughal invaders, followed by apathy of Initial Govt has led to the biggest strength India had.
In this Gurupurnima i am hoping we rediscover the ancient wisdom and India moves towards becoming the Vishwa Guru that Bharat truly is