Universities should preserve traditional practices: VC

Updated on: Monday, August 22, 2011

Mahatma Gandhi University Vice-Chancellor Rajan Gurukkal has emphasised the role of universities in being in the forefront of preserving dying traditional village-oriented knowledge, practices and methodologies in the country.

He was inaugurating a conclave of artisans and traditional farmers for exchange of ideas, and an exhibition of artefacts conducted under the aegis of the Department of Lifelong Learning and Extension in the University Assembly Hall here on Saturday.

Prof. Gurukkal highlighted the importance of imbibing the attitude adopted by foreign universities in preserving the cultural richness of their nations. “Universities in countries like France and Spain have exhibited unparalleled resilience to identify, document and preserve the village-level knowledge base and practices. We should imbibe the spirit exhibited by these countries for ensuring sustainable development.”

“The waste materials produced by the modern production methods are progressively becoming unwelcome to the earth as they are not recyclable. The ancient world knew what the earth could absorb. The unashamed spree of modernisation paved way for phasing out conventional knowledge and we started relying on imported technology. Time has proved that we are neither good imitators nor original technology creators. For things to get better, it is necessary to learn new lessons and unlearn those unwanted, and forge ahead by the synergy of the old and the new technologies,” he said.

University Pro-Vice Chancellor Rajan Varughese presided over the function. K. Sabukuttan, head of the Department of Lifelong Learning were among the others who spoke on the occasion.

Universities should preserve traditional practices: VC

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