Page 130 - Swatantrata to Atmanirbharta : Lokmanya Tilak’s legacy

Swadeshi movement. There was a realisation that the system of
education which existed at the time was wholly inadequate and
served to merely make the population literate. The system was
lacking on technical, scientific, and cultural fronts. It did not help
in making the population employable. The movement which
started in Bengal, gained momentum in Maharashtra under
the leadership of Tilak. He founded the Deccan Educational
Society with Chiplunkar and Agarkar for the purpose of
inspiring nationalist education among Indian students.

His speech delivered in Barsi, Maharashtra in 1908 is very
interesting. He highlighted that even though there was some
access to education, the system was wholly found wanting.
Obviously, he felt that a more rounded education system
would increase employability, make us spiritually aware and
become more responsible citizens. There were certain areas
which he stressed on – firstly, developing trade skills as the
next generation does not find the same trade viable; secondly,
industrial education for helping in value addition, technological
innovation and developing mechanical and scientific skills;
thirdly, rural education to make it more accessible and focus
on vernacular languages; fourthly, having knowledge of religion
which will help us to follow higher principles and reduce conflict
amongst religions; and lastly, education on politics which will
help us to be better and more aware and responsible citizens. He
cited the systems in America and Germany which make their
people a better and more talented society.
Almost all these issues are still a part of public discourse when
it comes to discussing the education system in present day India.
Education in various trades increases the base of people being
able to earn a living. Skill development helps in modernising
and making it more efficient and competitive. This is needed
in both organized and unorganised sector. The need for better
scientific and technological education is very well understood.
Even though we have so many engineering graduates, the skill
sets required by the industry appear to be different. We need a
better interaction between industry and academia. These issues
are very well understood and have been highlighted numerous
times. Besides these Tilak brought to the forefront other aspects

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