Assignment - Role of Education in National Integration

ASSIGNMENT

             

Submitted to,

 Ms Sreena Sreedhar
Lecturer in Social Science

Submitted by,
Krishna Priya K
B Ed Social Science

MMTC, Vilakkudy
 Candidate code:13354003

ROLE OF EDUCATION ON  NATIONAL INTEGRATION

INDEX

Sl No	Content	Page no
1	Introduction	4
2	Need of National integration	5
3	Definition	5
4	Importance of National integration	6
5	Challenges of National integration	7
6	Force promoting to National integration	9
7	National integration pledge	10
8	Role of education on  National integration	10
9	Ways and means of national integration	12
10	Conclusion	13

INTRODUCTION

       National integration is essential for any nation with socio-cultural, religious, linguistic and geographical diversities. And for a country like ours, it is still more necessary. As we know, India is a very large country. We have the second largest population in the world. A unique feature of our country is that all the major religions of the world are practiced here such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism. There are more than one thousand languages that people of India speak. There are also great varieties in costume, food habits, and social customs. Geographically, our land is diverse and there are amazing differences in climate. Despite all these differences India is one political entity. We have to co-exist with each other peacefully, respect the culture and religion of our fellow Indians. This is possible only when national integration is realised in true sense of the term. National  integration is necessary also for the security and development of the nation. India is a very large country. We have the second largest population in the world and our land area is about the same size as Europe minus the former Soviet Union. About one thousand six hundred fifty-two languages and dialects are spoken in our country. From among these eighteen have been given special recognition by our Constitution as National languages of our country. In fact, national unity and integrity, i.e. national integration has been one

of the most important priorities of our country. In the course of analyzing the issues related to unity and integrity of the country

Need for National Integration

• To keep our freedom secure.

• To make the nation solid and united.

• To break the walls of provincialism.

• To avoid internal strife.

• To face foreign aggression.

DEFINITIONS OF NATIONAL INTERGATION

·        ‘a feeling that binds the citizens of a country.’ Dorothy Simpson

·        National integration is the awareness of a common identity amongst the citizens of a country. It means that though we belong to different castes, religions and regions and speak different languages we recognize the fact that we are all one.

·        Identification of people with nation as a whole and not with sectional identities.

 IMPORTANCE OF NATIONAL INGEGRATION

   The term NATIONAL INTEGRATION has two words: nation and integration. A nation is a country with a unified socio-economic and political structure. It denotes a body of people who have a feeling of oneness, built on the basis of common history, society, culture and values. This feeling of oneness binds the people together in to a nation. In general terms it is this feeling which is known as national integration. National integration is the awareness of a common identity amongst the citizens of a country. It means that though the individuals belong to different communities, castes, religions, cultures and regions and speak different languages, all of them recognize the fact that they are one. This kind of integration is very important in the building of a strong and prosperous nation.

   

       National integration means “creating a mental outlook which will promote and

inspire every person to place loyalty to the country above group loyalties and

the welfare of the country above narrow sectarian interests.”India is a nation having great diversities. The people who inhabit this nation belong to different races, communities and castes. They reside in different geographical regions and speak different languages. They believe in and practice different religions and have varied life styles. But with all these diversities, they all are Indians and they feel like that. They may have many religious identities such as Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, or Zoroastrians. They may also be identified as Punjabis, Tamils, Malayalis, Bengalis, Manipuri, and so on, or South or North or North-East Indians. But their national identity is supreme.

CHALLENGES OF NATIONAL INTERGATION

A. Communalism

   Communalism has been one of the most complex problems that India has been facing. This is generated when individuals belonging to one religion develop excessive affinity to their religion and hatred towards other religions. This kind of feeling promotes religious fundamentalism and fanaticism and proves to be dangerous for the unity and integrity of the country. It is more so for a country like India where people practice all the major religions of the world. But India has been suffering from communalism since independence. As we know, we faced worst kind of communal riots on the eve of independence, and even after. There have been many communal riots in various parts of the country, inflicting immense sufferings on the people.

B. Regionalism

     Regionalism is another obstacle in the way of national integration. On many occasions it encourages people to promote regional interests even at the cost of national priorities. One may think that raising the problems of a particular region is needed to attract the attention of the decision makers and to compel them to fulfill justified regional demands. This thinking is reasonable, because such demands may be based on genuine grievances of the regions and States that have been denied fair shares of projects and industries in the overall structure of development. Those may also be related to the continued neglect of a particular region.

C. Linguism

     All of us know that India is a multilingual country. People of India speak nearly 2000languages and dialects. This plurality has been negatively used on many occasions,particularly in the early decades after independence. Every country needs to have a common official language, but it has not been an easy task for India.

When a recommendation was made in the Constituent Assembly to recognise Hindi as the official language of India, it was opposed by representatives of almost all the non- Hindi speaking areas. A compromise had to be made there. While the Constituent Assembly declared Hindi as the official language, it was provided that English would continue to be used for official purposes of the Union government for a period of 15 years. When the Official Language Commission set up in 1955 recommended in favour of replacing English by Hindi as official language, there were wide-spread protests in all the non-Hindi speaking regions. Such protests and demonstrations were seen once again in 1963, when the Official Language Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha. As a compromise the Act of 1963 allowed the continued use of English for official purposes without any time limit.

. D. Extremism

 The extremist movements going on in different parts of the country are yet another

challenge to national integration. You must have heard about Naxalite movement or Maoist movement. These movements quite often use violence, create fear in public life, cause loss of lives of government personnel and people and destroy public property. Mostly the youth participate in such movements. The basic reason for taking up arms by the youth is the continuing state of socio-economic deprivations. Moreover, the day-to-day humiliation, denial of justice, human rights violations, various kinds of exploitation and political marginalization prompt them to join the Naxalite movement. But the extremist activities have been threat to law and order and peaceful living of the people residing in the affected areas.

FORCE PROMOTING TO NATIONAL INTEGRATION

    Although the above stated challenges do exist, there are certain important factors

that provide sound base for national integration. These are:

A.   Constitutional Provisions

As we have seen, the Indian Constitution has made provisions for promoting and

ensuring national integration. It has accepted socialism, secularism, democracy,

liberty, equality, justice and fraternity as the goals of Indian political system. Citizens have been empowered with fundamental rights and their fundamental duties have also been prescribed. The Directive Principles of State Policy directs the State to promote equitable economic development, eliminate social discrimination, and promotion of international peace and security. And above all, the provisions related to various institutions and processes have been geared towards national integration.

B.   Governmental Initiatives

 The governments have also been making efforts to promote national integration. A

National Integration Council has been set up to consider issues related to national

integration and recommend suitable measures to be taken. A Single Planning

Commission prepares plans for economic development of the entire country and one Election Commission conducts elections.

C.   National Festivals and Symbols

National festivals also act as an important unifying force. Independence Day, Republic Day, and Gandhi Jayanti are festivals that are celebrated by all Indians and in all parts of the country, regardless of language, religion or culture. We also observe the National Integration Day on 19 November every year and take a pledge. This day is also known as “Qaumi Ekta Divas”.

 Moreover, our National Symbols like the National Flag, the National Anthem, and the National Emblem also help to remind us that we all have one identity. For this reason we stress on the importance of showing proper respect to these symbols. These act as strong unifying forces both in times of celebration and adversity. They remind us of our common nationality.

NATIONAL INTEGRATION PLEDGE

“I solemnly pledge to work with dedication to preserve and strengthen the freedom and integrity of the nation. I further affirm that I shall never resort to violence and that all differences and disputes related to religion, language, region or other political or economic grievances should be settled by peaceful and constitutional means”.

ROLE OF EDUCATION ON NATIONAL INTERGRATION

       In view of promoting national integration in November 1960, the Education Ministers of all the States met to consider this matter. The problem of National Integration was considered in all its gravity. It was then decided that a committee be constituted under the leadership of Dr. Sampurnananda for promoting national and emotional unity in the country.

The committee apart from considering other aspects of the problem, devoted thought to the role of education in promoting national integration. The Committee was set up in May 1961 and it began it’s; work soon thereafter. Education and the Recommendations of National and Emotional Integration Committee .The Committee recommended that the aim of education should be merely to give or exchange knowledge, but also to bring about the all round development of personality of the students.

Through the medium of education, the qualities of sacrifice and tolerance should not be evolved in the student behaviour so that, the feeling of national unity may be fostered.

The important recommendations of Committee as follows:

(i) Recognition of Education Institutions: Recognition should j be granted only to those educational institutions which do not practiced discrimination on the grounds of caste, creed, religion, clan etc.

(ii) Basis of Admission: The basis of admission to educational I institutions should be the merit of student and not caste, clan, religion, class etc.

(iii) School Uniform: The Uniform of students in every school should be identical.

(iv) Oath to be taken by the students: Every year, students should be required to take oath twice to devote themselves to the service of their country and countrymen. The oath was to the effect that —" India is my country, all Indians are my brothers and sisters. I love my country. I am proud of its glorious traditions and that I will always strive to make myself worthy of my country."

(v) National Anthem: Students should be taught the meaning of our national anthem and sing properly in chorus.

(vi) Respect for the National Flag: Students should be taught the importance of the national flag and to show due respect to the national flag.

(vii) Celebration of National Days: Students and teachers in co-operation with other members of the Community should celebrate such national days as August 15, January 2ft October 2 etc..

(viii) Organization of lectures of National Unity: The gathering organized for the various activities and purposes of school should be utilized for laying emphasis upon national integration.

(ix) Exhibition of Films and Organizing Tours: The exhibition of films depicting various aspects of national development and national Unity. Organizing tours to places of historical importance.

(x) School Project: Project should be initiated in schools for the specific purpose of acquainting students with their country. These projects should increase knowledge about various parts of the country and thus stimulate love for the country.

(xi) Open Air Theater: At least four times in a year, play should be staged in schools for the benefit of students. The themes of these plays should be ancient India, contemporary India, and unity at the time of freedom movement and the promotion of national integration.

(xii) Reorganization of the Curriculum: The Curriculum of schools should be organized on the basis of modern India's democratic and secular values.

(a) Primary Level:

Importance should be laid on prayer meeting, singing national songs telling stories of great-men, folk-song, patriotic song and social studies.

(b) Secondary Level:

Priority should be given to moral and ethical education, Co-curricular activities, knowledge of languages and literature and social studies.

(c) University Level:

Special emphasis should be placed upon the various social science, languages, literatures, culture and art.

WAYS AND MEANS OF NATIONAL INTEGRATION

Ø Restructuring the school curriculum/syllabus (curriculum that promotes NI)

Ø Uniform policy of Education across the country

Ø Learning of many languages

Ø Visits & excursions to different places/states for direct contact with people of different states

Ø Celebration of Festivals of different states (Onam, rathyatra, Durgapuja, Holi, Lodi, Uttarayan, Navratri

Ø Posters/photographs of great men & women of different states (poets, authors, artists, leaders, thinkers)

Ø Student exchange programmes

Ø Awareness regarding current affairs in different states

Ø Inviting eminent members of different communities of different states to talk about their specific cultures (customs, traditions, food-habits, their traditions of Music, dance, drama, folk-arts, ways of worship)

Ø Sensitizing students about the suffering of people of other states at the time of natural calamities as well as other problems such as communal violence

Ø Encouraging them for active participation in the rescue operations & Charitable activities

Ø Traditional dress day

Ø Showing travel documentaries on ‘variegated culture, Flora & Fauna of different states.

CONCLUSION

National integration is essential for any nation with socio-cultural, religious, linguistic and geographical diversities. _ A nation is a country with a unified socio-economic and political structure. It denotes a body of people who have a feeling of oneness, built on the basis of common history, society, culture and values. This feeling of oneness binds the people together in to a nation. India is a nation having great diversities. The people who inhabit this nation belong to different races, communities and castes. They reside in different geographical regions and speak different languages. They believe in and practice different religions and have varied life styles. But with all these diversities, they all are Indians and they feel like that. National integration is the awareness of a common identity amongst the citizens of a country. It means that though the individuals belong to different communities, castes, religions, cultures and regions and speak different languages, all of them recognize the fact that they are one. This kind of integration is very important in the building of a strong and prosperous nation.  It was during nationhood emerged and the need for national integration was realized.

REFERANCE

Ø Wikipedia

Ø Contemporary India: Issues and Goals: National integration & secularism

Ø Education for national integration: Sarla A Santwani

Ø Brief notes on education and national integration, Preserve articles.