Shanti Auluck — Lady Sri Ram College, New Delhi

.This paper examines the following issues: 1) Goals of education: human excellence. Human excellence would be discussed bringing out the place of values, inner growth and character building. It would also be discussed how pursuit of knowledge is a step towards spirituality. 2) Can utilitarian values harmonize with the goals of education? Here I would try to discuss how education in contemporary times can serve the twin purpose of character building and enhancing the skills for various types of employment opportunities. These are not necessarily exclusive of each other. 3) Meaning of swabhava would be discussed in detail as it appears in the Indian philosophical traditions. There is a need to recognize its importance in the process of teaching and student- teacher interaction. Acceptance and respect for individual differences is essential if teacher has to communicate effectively with the students. 4) The concept of swadharma would be discussed in detail as it appears in Indian philosophical traditions. It has importance in inner growth as well as maintaining order, harmony and peace in society. It has potential in conflict resolution. 5) Swabhava and swadharma: Harmonizing the pulls of swabhava and swadharma and its implications in life. 6) The contemporary system of education: its strengths and limitations. How can it be re-vitalized? Strengthening the selection and training process of teachers, and the importance of facilitating the sense of freedom and responsibility in the teachers is also taken up. 7) Accommodating for swabhava of students and educators : challenge in contemporary times of mass education is also an important concern.

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Email the author: "Prof. Shanti Auluck" <auluck@vsnl.com>