Indian languages are repositories of ancient wisdom and knowledge – Prof. Bedi

Amritsar, 14 June (Punjab Post Bureau) – A “Four-Week Orientation Programme-102” was inaugurated here today at the UGC-Human Resource Development Centre of Guru Nanak Dev University. As many as 54 University and College teachers pertaining to heterogeneous disciplines from various states of the country are participating in this Programme.

Prof. H.S. Bedi, an eminent academician and former Dean, Faculty of Languages of the University was the Chief Guest. Prof. Bedi in his inaugural address highlighted the paramount role being played by the Programmes offered by the HRDCs in widening the horizon of the teachers working in the field of higher education. Gone is the era, when the teachers could afford to confine themselves to their particular discipline only, he emphasized. On the contrary, it is incumbent upon the teachers of today to transcend the self-created barriers and expand their knowledge to do full justice to their students, he continued. Herein the significant role in acquainting the teachers with the other disciplines is played by such Programmes, he added. He also exhorted the audience not to behave as a passive listener, but to interact freely with the Resource Persons in order to derive the maximum benefit of such Programmes. Being a linguist of repute, he also talked about the role of mother-tongues as a medium of instruction upto secondary level, which in his view, needs to be made mandatory. While highlighting the significance of English in a multi-lingual country like ours, he advised not to ignore the Indian languages as well, which, he described as repositories of ancient wisdom and knowledge.

Prof. Kamaljit Singh, Director, UGC-Human Resource Development Centre, in his welcome address formally introduced the Chief Guest to the audience. Tracing the history of the HRDC, he apprised the participants about the contribution made by it since its inception way back in 1987. Earlier, the Chief Guest was accorded a floral welcome by Prof. Kamaljit Singh and Dr. Mohan Kumar.