VIRASTI GYAN PRABANDH KENDAR
(Indian Knowledge System Cell)
AND
THE CORE OBJECTIVE OF
SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB WORLD UNIVERSITY
Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib, a project undertaken by the SGPC is a missionary, charitable and humanitarian institution, seeks to impart inclusive education to learners from all creeds, castes and religions.
Virasti Gyan Prabandh (IKS) have been existing since ages but have been overshadowed by western ways of thinking. Being the frontier area of the country Punjab faced largest attacks from foreigners. The attackers did failed attempts to demolish cultural, religious and philosophical heritage of this land. Bhagats and Gurus laid down a foundation of Universal, pluralistic and inclusive society but they do so in their own language and tradition. Sri Guru Granth Sahib comprises the sacred hymns of 35 Banikars who belongs to different cast, area and faith. In this way Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the essence and peak of Indian Knowledge System. According to the Gurbani truthful living is more important than to know the truth without it’s practice. Indian systems have been existing since ages but were predominant by the western thoughts, therefore there is a need to bring in a binding force which can change the existing mind-set. The history of Sikhs can be viewed as a process of de-Mogulization and decolonization which is not just economic and political rather it is socio-cultural. Indian Knowledge System is not just based on scientific principles, but also deals with ethics.
Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University has a mandate to focus on intensive study, research and training in areas of world religions; cultures and civilizations; eastern and western thought and other related disciplines of arts & humanities, social sciences, pure and applied sciences. In order to prepare the young men and women to be responsible and proud Indians the University is foccusing on emerging disciplines like Environment, Human rights, Empowerment of the Women and the Downtrodden. Core areas of studies, research and teaching are include comprehensive studies and research on Indian Knowledge System through the study of Sri Guru Granth Sahib; Sikh theology, Indian philosophy, history, tradition & development of Punjabi language and literature. The University prepared a curriculum to lay stress on Human, Moral & Ethical Values and concept of Universal Brotherhood in order to transform the raw young students into enlightened human beings & responsible citizens.
The University included the Indian stories, music, characters, food, play, art etc. to ingrain IKS at bachelor stage of learning. The further stages involve exploration followed by reflection and discovery that are stimulated at Master and doctorate stages through Indian history, rich culture, local stories and characters, etc. Teachers are the agent of integration and plays a crucial role, therefore the University is plaining to provid them Virasti Gyan Prabandh (IKS) based content material, adequate training and orientation.
The University encourage interdisciplinary research in IKS by organising seminar, conference, book fair and Gurmat Training camps etc. The University started training for Sikh martial art Gatka to cultivate confident and well-rounded citizens. Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University applies Virasti Gyan Prabandh (IKS) in action, i.e. everyday practices reflection of IKS, such as greeting each other ‘Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh’ rather than good morning.
University provides learning opportunities for students via mandatory credit components of courses. Providing hands on learning opportunities like Gurmukhi Caligraphy and Gurbani Recitation training. Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University include indigenous and traditional ways of learning and cover mathematics, philosophy, yoga, medicine, agriculture, engineering, linguistics, literature, sports, games, as well as governance, polity and conservation.
The University emphasizes on the promotion of Indian Languages, Arts and Culture, and tries to remove the discontinuity in the flow of Indian Knowledge System (lKS) by integrating IKS into curriculums at all levels of programs. It encourage every student enrolled in a UG or PG programme to take credit courses in Virasti Gyan Prabandh (IKS) amounting in all to at least 5% of the total mandated credits. The University authority guides the faculty to generate a positive attitude towards Virasti Gyan Prabandh (IKS) and conducted training camps and National/International conference to promote Virasti Gyan Prabandh (IKS).