Page 6 - E- Connect 2021

IMDR

that perpetrated the slave mentality. Hence the
Deccan Education Society
DES established in 1884, registered on 13 August reverse the then existing scenario and give
The Deccan Education Society (DES) was common mission for establishing DES was to
1885 by the towering personalities of the Indian rise to a progressive mindset. In the view of the
freedom struggle, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar founders, ‘Education was the means of rousing
Tilak, Gopal Ganesh Agarkar, Vishnu Shastri the intellect, the drooping will, and the slumbering
Chiplunkar, Mahadeo Ballal Namjoshi, and conscience of their fallen countrymen’. At a time
Vamanrao Apte & was ably supported by when the concept of democratic practice was just
Rajashri Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur. In the being conceived in India, DES decided to adopt
preindependence era these visionaries realised a democratic structure for its own governance.
that the education which prevailed in India under Thus, it became a model for teacher-managed
the rule of the Britishers was to create products institutes in Maharashtra and symbolized the
only to serve the Britishers. The system did not ‘People’s Own Initiative’ in evolving education
teach the people to question, criticise, create, as a means of national regeneration.
and relect their thoughts. It was simply a system

6
2021-2021