Somali Panda
1. Background and Context
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 places strong emphasis on the integration of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) into higher education curricula, research, and institutional practices. In alignment with this national vision, there exists a significant opportunity for West Bengal to develop a distinct, region-specific knowledge framework rooted in its long-standing intellectual, cultural, and civilisational traditions, finally creating a major opportunity in conserving Bengal’s treasure of Knowledge and Academics.
Bengal has historically been a centre of philosophical inquiry, literary excellence, educational reform, scientific thought, ecological understanding, artistic innovation, and social discourse. These traditions, spanning ancient, medieval, colonial, and modern periods, together constitute a rich and structured body of knowledge that merits systematic academic engagement under the broader IKS framework.
2. Rationale for a Bengal-Centric Knowledge Systems Framework
Unlike a uniform or generic approach, a Bengal-centric knowledge framework allows for contextualised academic integration of indigenous knowledge traditions that are locally grounded yet globally relevant. Such an approach would not only strengthen higher education within the state but also generate new pathways for research, skill development, employment, and investment.
Bengal’s strengths lie in its philosophical traditions, literary heritage, ecological wisdom, pedagogy, performative and visual arts, linguistic studies, craft knowledge, and intellectual movements that shaped modern India. Systematic academic engagement with these areas can significantly contribute to innovation, creative industries, heritage-based enterprises, and international academic collaboration.
3. Objectives of the Proposed Collaboration
The proposed collaboration aims to:
• Develop a structure of Bengal-centric approach in alignment with the Indian Knowledge Systems framework
• Integrate regional knowledge traditions into higher education curricula
• Promote interdisciplinary research and documentation
• Enhance employability through knowledge-based skill development
• Position and promote Bengal for civilizational and cultural studies in the national and international platforms complementing holistic approach of IKS.
4. Strategic Components in Alignment of IKS
4.1 Curriculum Development and Academic Integration
The higher educational institutions in West Bengal may introduce credit-based courses and electives within existing programmes that draw upon Bengal’s knowledge traditions to explore the possibilities of region based ethnological treasures. Suggested thematic areas include:
• Philosophy and intellectual traditions of Bengal
• Literary and linguistic knowledge systems
• Indigenous ecological knowledge and environmental practices
• Art, performance, and aesthetic traditions
• Craft, material culture, and traditional technologies
These courses may be offered at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels, ensuring both academic rigor and interdisciplinary engagement.
4.2 Research, Documentation, and Knowledge Repositories
Focused research initiatives may be undertaken to document, study, and analyse Bengal’s knowledge traditions. Priority may be given to textual traditions, manuscript studies, palaeography, oral histories, pedagogical practices, ecological knowledge, and artistic systems. The creation of digital and physical repositories will support long-term preservation, academic research, and global knowledge exchange.
4.3 Employment, Skill Development, and Knowledge Economy
The proposed framework may be expected to generate employment opportunities in academia, research, documentation, curriculum development, heritage management, creative industries, and educational services. Skill-based certification programmes aligned with traditional knowledge domains may further enhance employability and entrepreneurship among students and professionals.
4.4 National and International Engagement
The initiative may serve as a platform for collaboration with national institutions, international universities, cultural foundations, and research organisations. Such engagement would enhance West Bengal’s visibility as a centre for advanced studies in indigenous and civilisational knowledge.
6. Conclusion
West Bengal possesses an exceptional reservoir of knowledge traditions that can meaningfully contribute to the national IKS agenda. A structured collaboration in this regard between the state and the national level to develop a Bengal-centric Indian Knowledge Systems framework will strengthen academic excellence, foster innovation, and create sustainable pathways for education, employment, and investment. The proposed initiative visions West Bengal as a resourceful component in knowledge-driven development while preserving and advancing its civilizational legacy.
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