NATIONAL INTEGRATION

NATIONAL INTEGRATION

“National integration is a psychological and educational process involving the development of feeling unity, solidarity and cohesion in the hearts of people, a sense of common citizenship and felling of loyalty to the nation”

                                         -    The national integration conference report 1961

Ø According to Dorothy Simpson –National integration means “creating a mental outlook which will prompt and inspire every person to place loyalty to the country above group loyalties and the welfare of the country above narrower sectarian interests.”

National integration implies Feeling of oneness, brotherhood, cohesion, harmony, loyalty to the country, patriotism, solidarity, tolerance The three basic factors of national integration 1.structural unity  2.cultural unity 3.ideological unity Unifying Forces/forces promoting national integration JDemocracy             J Territorial compactness         JCivilization and Culture JCreating common values J  Strengthening Secularism     J Crusade against inequalities JNational symbols      J National festivals  J Impact of science and technology        JFeeling of the sacredness of the motherland

Challenges of Indian National

Integration

•Regionalism

•Casteism

•Communalism

•Extremism

•Socio economic inequalities

•Linguistic claims

•Parochialism

Role of Education in National Integration

 “National Integration cannot be built by brick and mortar or with chisel and hammer. It has to grow silently in the minds and hearts of men. The process, by which it could be achieved, is education” –Dr.S.Radhakrishnan

“Education can play a vital role in strengthening emotional integration. Education should not only aim at imparting knowledge but should also develop all aspects of a student’s personality. It should broader his outlook, foster a feeling of oneness and nationalism and a spirit of sacrifice and tolerance so that the narrow group interest of the country.”-Sampurnanad Committee, 1961

Measures recommended by different committees and commissions

The National Integration Conference (1961), The National Committee on Emotional Integration headed by Dr.Sampurnanand(1962) and the Education Commission (1966) have put forth their suggestions for realizing national and emotional integration.

1. Suggestions of the National Integration Conference (1961)

•Education should develop in students national feeling and a sense belonging

•Through the proper teaching of history a sense of Indianness should be created in the learners.

•Text-books should be written with a national rather than a regional perspective.

•Day’s work should start with singing of the National Anthem.

•Hindi should be developed as a link language and regional language should be made the medium of instruction. For creating a feeling of oneness the three language formula should be implemented.

2. Suggestions of the National Committee of Emotional Integration (1962)

•* School curriculum should be re-oriented to meet the needs of a democratic state and special emphasis should be    laid on the teaching of social studies at all levels.

•At the beginning of the session, students should be asked to take a pledge of  loyalty  to India.

•*National Anthem should be sung daily in the school assembly.

•All school children should be taught to respect the National Flag.

•*National Days-January 26, August 15 and october 2-should be celebrated in all schools.

•Student tours from one state to another should be encouraged and financed by the state.

•*Lectures on the importance of national unity and social solidarity should be arranged from time to time in all     schools

•Domiciliary restriction as regards the transfer of students from one state to another should be removed.

•*To develop group consciousness there should be as a common uniform for school children.

•An All India Youth Council should be established for solving problem of youth with the help of the authorities.

3. Suggestion of the Education Commission (1966)

•Introducing a common school system of public education.

•Making Social and National service an integral part of education.

•Developing all modern Indian languages and-enriching them, as quickly as possible.

•Making education an effective tool for promoting national consciousness.

•Imparting education in social,moral and spiritual values with the help of the ethical teaching of the great religions.

•Role of the teacher in promoting National Integration

•Teacher should set ideal examples of national integration through their behavior,ways of thinking and doing things

•Teachers should present historical facts in an impartial and objective manner

•They should not discriminate students on the basis of caste,color,language,region or religion

•They should lay balanced stress on the achievements of great leaders belonging to different communities and regions etc.

•In geography and Indian economics,the importance of interdependence of different regions and states should be highlighted

•All possible efforts should be made to inculcate an attitude of rational thinking in students

•Community dinner,camps,educational excursions and tours may be organised so that students get opportunities to appreciate the concept of unity and diversity

•Deeds of patriotism of great persons belonging to all communities should be suitably explained