This paper was presented at the
National Seminar on
Indian Psychology: Theories and Models
SVYASA, Bangalore,
December 26 - 28, 2007
 

Cultural education: It’s role in integral development of engineering students

S. Jagannathan, V. Smrithi Rekha & V. Adinarayanan — Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham

Engineering education bereft of a strong value base is like attempting to build a citadel without a foundation. Culture helps integrate ancient experiential wisdom, dynamic values and a holistic perception of life. It is all the more valid in the case of Indian culture as it has stood the test of time.

Understanding the importance and relevance of cultural education we at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham have introduced a two semester course in cultural education for the undergraduate students in the Engineering stream. The curriculum of the course is designed based on Vedanta as detailed in the Upanishads, the introduction to concepts of svadharma and svabhava as in Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali Yoga Sutras and cultural heritage of India through the various contributions in the fields of science, art, social structures and traditional practices. This course is also complemented by initiatives like regular Yoga, Vedic chanting and Vedanta sessions. The richness of the Indian culture is showcased to the students by involving them actively in the celebration of important festivals like Guru Poornima, Gokulashtami, Navaratri and the like. This in turn leads to the integral development of the students. In this paper we present the course content and the teaching methodology adopted.