Page 103 - Swatantrata to Atmanirbharta : Lokmanya Tilak’s legacy

new educationaL

PoLicy and SeLf-

reLiant india

Dr. Sharad Kunte

This is the legacy of Lokmanya

This is the centenary year of Lokmanya Tilak. Everyone
knows the great struggle of the people for Swarajya. Everyone
knows the journalism practiced by Lokmanya as the editor
of Kesari and Maratha. But, perhaps, two great aspects of
his contribution seem to have been a little overlooked today.
One aspect was his insistence on indigenous industry and self-
employment. For this, he consistently wrote, gave speeches in
various meetings, initiated the creation of new industries by
implementing schemes like Paisa Fund and started agitation for
boycott of foreign goods and foreign clothes. He realised that
English education creates black Englishmen who strengthen
English slavery. Therefore, his other focus was national
education. The establishment of the Deccan Education
Society and Ferguson College was part of this initiative. He
had consistently written and raised awareness about national
education. Lokmanya’s insistence was variously on Swabhasa,
Swatantra, Swadharma, Swarajya, Swa Sanskriti. Respecting
our history, our culture, our tradition, our religion, by correcting
the mistakes made in history, we paved the way for national

101 Swatantrata to Atmanirbharata