IEP Chandigarh
National Seminar on “Integral Education of Sri Aurobindo and its Implications for India’s National Resurgence through Quality Teacher Education” was organized at Govt. College of Education under the aegis of IQAC and RUSA on 22nd February 2023. Principal Dr. Sapna Nanda introduced the theme of the seminar and welcomed the Chief Guest- Prof. Sampadananda Mishra, Director Centre of Human Sciences, Rishi Hood University, Sonepat & Former Director, Sri Aurobindo Foundation for Integral Culture, Guest of Honor- Er. Arvind Mehan, Former Chairman, Sri Aurobindo Society Chandigarh Branch, Resource Persons- Shri K. Pawan, Chairman , Sri Aurobindo Society, Patiala Branch and Er. Navneet Kukreja, Former Director, NIC, Punjab, Haryana and J&K and guests present on the occasion. Seminar was inaugurated by Prof. Sampadananda Mishra, Director Centre of Human Sciences, Rishi Hood University, Sonepat & Former Director, Sri Aurobindo Foundation for Integral Culture. He began his inaugural address by reciting Gayatri mantra of Shri Aurobindo. He congratulated the organizing committee to conduct the national seminar on the theme of Integral education to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Shri Aurobindo. He reiterated that the aim of Integral education is to amalgamate life, yoga and education as purang vidya. He also added that the name “Aurobindo” is a mantra in itself. He emphasized that it the harmony among three elements of education- Vidya, Vidya data and Vidya grahita that leads to true education. He also added that a teacher is expected to be a “Yogi” developing a silent mind that is more powerful than a thoughtful mind. He added that a teacher should focus on “growing from within” of the child leading to refinement of senses, developing power of concentration, creativity, imagination. He also highlighted the concepts of aesthetic development, knowing thyself and discipline as given by aurobindo as instructions (awakening), example (ideal) and influence ( your presence) for realisation of “tatvamasi” (you have the potential). He motivated the delegates to make learning perfect through the stages of Agamkale, Svadhyay kale, Pravadhan and Vyavahar kale.Various key issues related to Integral Education were reflected upon in the technical sessions of this seminar. In the first technical session, Prof. Sampadananda Mishra addressed the delegates on the theme “Teacher as a leader- inner perspective”. Second technical session was headed by Resource Persons-Shri K. Pawan, Chairman, Sri Aurobindo Society, Patiala Branch. In his address on the theme-he elucidated that receptivity and being open to changes or new things is the one of prominent qualities of a good teacher. He discussed the three cardinal principles of teaching given by Shri Aurobindo as true teaching is that nothing can be taught, the mind has to be consulted in its own growth and work from the near to the far, from that ‘which is’ to that ‘which shall be’. The third technical session was presided over by Er. Navneet Kukreja. In his address he guided regarding the concept of ‘Psychic Being’ given by Shri Aurobindo that leads the human being towards evolution. Delegates across the country participated enthusiastically in the seminar and presented papers on the concept of integrated education. It was followed by interactive and stimulating discussions. Formal vote of thanks was proposed to the Chief Guest, Resource persons and delegates for their graceful presence and making this seminar a huge success. The seminar was organised under the able guidance of Dr. Sapna Nanda, Principal of the college (Patron) by Dr. A.K. Srivastava, Dean (Convenor), Dr. Anjali Puri (Organizing Secretary) and Dr. Anurag Sankhain, Dr. Sheojee Singh, Dr. Lilu Ram, Dr. Neelam Paul & Dr. Ravneet Chawla (Co-ornidators of the event).
