Page 119 - Swatantrata to Atmanirbharta : Lokmanya Tilak’s legacy

immediate requirements , utilising talents was key, compared
with the ready to use content and machinery offered by the
then government.
He was pragmatic to realise the civilising effect of English,
but at the same time insisted on schools teaching in vernacular
medium in the villages. It was Tilak who demanded the college
to be for the period of four years, and not three- as it would allow
time for development of higher order thinking, and also not
burden the government to provide for so many jobs every year.
It was a well-studied suggestion as it considered social aspects
thoroughly. In a very wholesome approach, he introduced
subjects like general culture in colleges, which taught the youth
about discharging their duties in the interest of society. He
ensured that community connect and social obligation was very
much a part of the education. He believed that youth should
be capable of taking their own view of the situations and take
actions.

Tilak’s view on girls’ education were on the lines wherein he
believed they should be taught needle work, Sanskrit and life
skills that could help them in their lives. He was very conscious
about what was taught in schools to the youth, girls or boys,
had to be in line with the requirements of the society. It had to
contribute to nation building.
He believed education was not about being able to read
and write, but directly help in industrialising the economy. He
studied the need of the society and economy. On this basis
he envisioned an education system that would help develop
workforce for utilising the endowments on Indian soil to
generate employment and produce goods. This would also cut
down on huge imports like that of sugar in those days. In fact
there could be no business possible without education.

Another aspect of education he laid down was that the
education must include religious teachings, as it was the
foundation of personality and character building.

Swadeshi movement started by Tilak in 1905, was not only
to assert protest and impact the business interests of the British,
but also to promote indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs. It

117 Swatantrata to Atmanirbharata