Agartala: July 29: On September 29th, the 133rd death anniversary of Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar, a key figure of the Indian Renaissance, was observed. The All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) organized a program in the Battala area, where leaders paid their respects by offering floral tributes to Vidyasagar’s statue.
Simultaneously, the All India Save Education Committee marked this day as ‘Save Education Day’ nationwide. In Tripura, the committee held a program in front of the Agartala State Museum. Members first paid tribute to Vidyasagar’s statue with flowers. Subsequently, leaders discussed Vidyasagar’s life, struggles, and contributions.
Speakers highlighted Vidyasagar’s efforts during British rule to combat social stagnation, superstition, backwardness, and illiteracy. They emphasized his dedication to social reforms, modern science-based education, and women’s education. Vidyasagar’s achievements in developing science-based curricula, the Bengali language, establishing schools, training teachers, and printing books were noted as remarkable.
The speakers also criticized recent educational policies in independent India, such as the National Education Policy of 1986, the Right to Education Act of 2009, and the National Education Policy of 2020. They argued that these policies have divided education into government and private sectors, removed important science subjects from the syllabus, and commercialized education, thereby depriving ordinary people of their right to modern, science-based education. The All India Save Education Committee is mobilizing a nationwide movement to oppose these policies.
