A crash course in jettisoning a colonial mindset

PM Modi has regularly referred to the need for us as Indians to get back to our own culture and languages. The New Education Policy fortunately also encourages regional languages.

- Darshan singh

In June 1834, Thomas Macaulay came to Ooty in India and spent under a year as a British historian and educationist. By 1835 after returning to London, he formulated an education policy for all colonies, but he knew that it would particularly be more important to establish his theory of English language and culture in the crown jewel which was, India. This policy was spread out quickly by the British and got known as Macaulayism, which amounted to thrusting the English language and customs; while simultaneously taking away the local language and customs from the colonial subjects. It became convenient to get Anglicised in this way as it was then easier to be an officer or servant in the service of the King Emperor. This was colonialism at its best and it came to stamping out the desire for your own culture and replacing it with English and all the allied educational syllabi.

Now since a few years, Prime Minister having realised this, has regularly referred to the need for us as Indians to get back into our own culture and languages. The New Education Policy fortunately also encourages regional languages. Simultaneously also now there is a renaissance of Indian cultural revival. Many enlightened citizens are bringing back Indian art, Indian culture, Indian textiles, Indian clothing, Indian classical dance and most importantly an attempt to look at our own history and religion through the Indian lens. We are on the right track and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is further strengthening it.