Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan delivered a powerful address in Nagpur on Saturday, calling for India to decisively break free from a colonial mindset to achieve its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Speaking at the 27th annual day function of the Bhonsala Military School, Pradhan critiqued the enduring legacy of the Macaulay system of education.
Rejecting a Colonial Legacy for a New Vision
Pradhan emphatically stated that the nation must liberate itself from psychological and intellectual shadows of colonial rule. He recalled that the Bhonsala Military School itself was founded in 1937 by Dr. Balakrishna Shivram Munje with a revolutionary aim: to Indianise the Army under British rule and move society beyond a mentality of servitude.
"Even before Independence, Dr. Munje envisioned doing away with the Macaulay education system," Pradhan noted. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent mention of Lord Macaulay's 1835 Minute that promoted English education, Pradhan highlighted that the event will complete 200 years in the next decade. "By that time, we must reject that colonial mindset and build a society that Dr. Munje envisioned," he asserted.
Celebrating Indigenous Military Prowess and Education Reforms
Hailing Maharashtra as a land of military valour, the minister invoked the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He praised the Maratha king's guerrilla warfare tactics, calling them a global example. Linking this to contemporary educational reforms, Pradhan announced a significant update: "For the first time since independence, the valour and achievements of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Maratha soldiers were included in NCERT textbooks." This step, under the National Education Policy 2020, ensures students nationwide learn this history correctly.
Pradhan expressed immense confidence in India's youth power, stating that the world looks at the country with hope because of it. He emphasized that this young energy would lay the foundation for a developed India and provide 21st-century leadership.
Bhonsala's Future: From School to Defence University
Outlining an ambitious future for the institution, the Union Minister revealed plans to develop the Bhonsala Military School into the Bhonsala Defence University. This transformation aligns with the vision of PM Modi, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Pradhan also spoke about a defence manufacturing cluster coming up in Nagpur. "Not just soldiers are being created here. The equipment to defend the world will be manufactured in Nagpur in the coming days," he proclaimed. He was so impressed by the school's excellence that he compared the experience to watching the Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path.
The event was graced by Colonel Rajesh Bandhe, Commanding Officer of 13 J&K Rifles, as the Guest of Honour. Senior officials from the CHME Society and the school's administration, along with faculty, parents, alumni, and students, were present. Earlier in the day, Pradhan visited Smruti Mandir in Reshimbagh and paid homage at Deekshabhoomi.
