India Q&A: “What Traditional Indian Values Do You Want to Pass to Next Generation?”

Banika Sirohi,25, Software Engineer, Bangalore: One of the foremost thing that I would convey to the next generation is the stature and respect that women once held in our country in early ancient times. Traditional Indian values that teach to respect womanhood are required. Second would be about how we acquired knowledge traditionally in India; it was conceived in 3 simple steps under Gurukula system of education viz. Shravana(listen to the words of wisdom), Manana(to interpret the meaning of the lessons ) and Niddhyaasana (complete comprehension of the knowledge). Knowledge should be grasped not just for factual learning. Gurukula system not only incorporated learning in students but also taught the student to be grounded and to maintain integrity and honesty in every situation of life. These are the human values that we lack today and these I would want to convey to the next generation. (Courtesy Banika Sirohi)

India is experiencing a great cultural transition since the past few decades. The increasing crime against women, children, and others suggests that the once very rich value-system is gradually deteriorating. With large-scale migration from rural to urban areas, the society is facing newer challenges everyday. Though the majority of the citizens are still primarily rural, the value system in Indian villages is witnessing similar challenges as in the cities. Amidst these challenges and trials, the culture of imparting upright traditional values is still widely practiced in Indian families.

 

The Epoch Times reporters in India talked to a few people around the country, asking:

 

“What traditional Indian values do you want to pass on to the next generation?”

 

Look for the India Q&A column every week. Epoch Times India reporters interview people around the country to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global issues. Next week’s India question, “How are you affected by increasing traffic in your city?”