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Launch of Who is Raising Your Children? Sparks a Critical Discussion on the Future of Education

Who is Raising Your Children? by Rajiv Malhotra and Vijaya Viswanathan highlights the ideological influences shaping India’s education and the need for reform.

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Harsh
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Shobhit University

The book Who is Raising Your Children? by noted intellectual Rajiv Malhotra and co-author Vijaya Viswanathan was launched by Shobhit University at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi, in the presence of eminent educationists, policymakers, diplomats, and social workers. The event served as a crucial forum for in-depth discussions on the future of education, ideological influences shaping young minds, and the increasing role of global forces in determining learning paradigms.

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Bringing together academicians, policymakers, bureaucrats, educationists, social workers, media professionals, school principals, and young scholars, the event reinforced the urgent need for India to reclaim control over its educational discourse. The book critically examines how global institutions, technology-driven policies, and ideological movements are subtly reshaping the values and perspectives of future generations, often in ways that may not align with India’s civilizational ethos and national priorities.

The launch was graced by an esteemed panel of dignitaries who shared their insights on the evolving landscape of education and the challenges posed by externally driven educational models. Among those present were:

Shri Rajendra Agrawal, Former Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, Meerut

Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, NETF, NAAC, and NBA; Former Chairman, AICTE

Prof. D.P. Singh, Adviser to the Chief Minister, UP; Former Chairman, UGC

Prof. Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General, AIU; President, SSU NYAS

Dr. R.C. Agarwal, Deputy Director General, ICAR

Kunwar Shekhar Vijendra, Co-Founder and Chancellor, Shobhit University

Shobhit University

Additionally, the event saw participation from prominent educationists, diplomats, bureaucrats, researchers, social activists, and journalists, who contributed valuable perspectives on the growing ideological influences infiltrating India’s education system.

In his keynote address, Rajiv Malhotra emphasized the growing ideological conditioning in schools, which is subtly shaping children’s worldviews. He expressed concern over how foreign institutions and external influences have gained control over Indian education, often sidelining India’s own civilizational ethos.

“Education is no longer just about knowledge transfer; it has become a vehicle for ideological warfare. Many of the curricula being taught in schools today are designed in ways that influence how our children think about history, society, and even themselves. If we fail to recognize and act upon these changes, we risk losing a generation to narratives that are not our own,” he warned.

Shobhit University

Malhotra urged policymakers to take an active role in reviewing school curricula to ensure that India’s youth are not being disconnected from their heritage. He also encouraged parents to be more engaged in their children’s education, cautioning against assuming that schools are imparting value-neutral knowledge.

Co-author Vijaya Viswanathan highlighted how globalist ideologies are entering Indian classrooms through seemingly neutral programs like social-emotional learning and comprehensive sexuality education. She pointed out that these programs often undermine traditional family values and cultural identity.

“We must ask ourselves: are we educating our children to be confident individuals who understand their heritage and values, or are we allowing them to be molded by external ideologies that detach them from their roots? Today’s education system is introducing concepts that are shaping children’s perspectives on morality, identity, and even their sense of self, often without parental awareness or consent,” she remarked.

She urged parents to be proactive in understanding what is being taught in schools, emphasizing that education should be about empowerment, not confusion.

Speaking at the event, Kunwar Shekhar Vijendra, Co-Founder and Chancellor of Shobhit University, underscored the urgent need to reclaim India’s education system from foreign influences and reintroduce an India-centric approach to learning. He pointed out that India has historically been a global center of knowledge, and its education system must reflect its intellectual legacy rather than mimic Western models without adaptation.

“For centuries, India has been known for its wisdom and deep-rooted traditions in learning. However, in recent decades, our education system has started to drift away from this foundation. Instead of developing our own frameworks that integrate modern advancements with our cultural and intellectual heritage, we are following Western educational structures without critically evaluating their suitability for our society,” he stated.

He called for a balanced approach to education that integrates technology and modern innovations while preserving Indian values and traditions. He stressed that India must invest in curriculum development that fosters self-reliance, national pride, and a strong sense of identity among students.

Shri Rajendra Agrawal, Former MP, echoed the sentiment that education should align with India’s national interests rather than being influenced by external forces. He urged institutions not to blindly follow foreign educational policies that do not take India’s unique socio-cultural environment into account.

“India has a long tradition of knowledge and learning. We must ensure that our education system remains a reflection of our values, preparing students for the global stage while keeping them connected to their roots. We cannot afford to blindly follow educational frameworks that do not fit our cultural ethos,” he said.

Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe spoke about the opportunities and challenges presented by technology in education. While acknowledging that digital education and online learning have made knowledge more accessible, he warned that these tools are also being used to introduce ideological content that influences young minds in subtle ways.

“Technology should be an enabler of education, not a tool for ideological conditioning. While we must embrace digital learning, we must also ensure that it serves the right purpose and does not become a medium for external influence,” he cautioned.

Prof. D.P. Singh emphasized the responsibility of universities and higher education institutions in safeguarding intellectual freedom. He pointed out that academic spaces should not become platforms for ideological conflicts but should remain centers for free thought and innovation.

“Our higher education institutions must prioritize academic excellence, research, and intellectual growth over ideological battles. We must resist pressures that seek to turn universities into arenas of ideological influence rather than institutions of knowledge,” he stated.

Prof. Pankaj Mittal spoke about the need for curriculum autonomy in Indian universities, arguing that curriculum reforms must be guided by national priorities rather than external agendas.

“While it is important to learn from global best practices, we must not allow foreign entities to dictate what our students should learn. Curriculum independence is critical to maintaining the integrity of our education system,” she noted.

Dr. R.C. Agarwal emphasized that education plays a crucial role in fostering national identity. He warned that a generation disconnected from its roots will struggle to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development.

“An education system that does not reinforce national pride and cultural understanding will create a generation that lacks direction and purpose. We must ensure that our students remain connected to their heritage while excelling in global arenas,” he stated.

The launch of Who is Raising Your Children? serves as a wake-up call to reconsider the direction in which Indian education is heading. The book urges all stakeholders to actively participate in reclaiming education from external influences and ensuring that it remains a means of intellectual and moral development rather than an instrument of ideological indoctrination.

 

Shobhit University book launch
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