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Bhaartiya Sanskriti Gyaan Pareekshaa - An Introduction

Test of Student’s Knowledge of Indian Culture – Why and What for?

The civilization of a country depends largely on its own inherent cultural, ethical, moral and spiritual base. It nourishes holistic life style and shapes the culture. According to Oxford Dictionary, culture of a country denotes the way of people’s life, their customs, beliefs, attitude, and social set up. It also encompasses various arts, literature, music etc. India is credited with the most developed culture of the world. Great men of all countries praise its antiquity and grandeur. Human race in this culture is regarded as an integral part of the entire creation. Balanced development of each entity of nature, free from any exploitation, whether innate, animate or inanimate constitutes the basic feature of this Divine Culture.

Basic features of Indian culture

Human amity, fraternity, goodwill and love regardless of nationality, religion, faith, creed, caste, sect, sex etc. constitute important elements of Indian culture. The universal message of Vedas, Upnishads, holy scriptures and wisdom of saints, seers, sages and incarnations have regularly infused life blood in it. This resulted in its continued development in all walks of human endeavour with Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha as ultimate goal. Indian culture always assimilated the wholesome and beneficial elements of other cultures. It satisfied the ever changing requirements caused by massive defections from other cultures, which could not survive the onslaught and turbulent upheavals caused by invasion during the last over two thousand years. Our culture, however, remained unscathed due to its dynamic principle of unity in diversity. Spirituality, primordiality, cordiality and welfare of all are some other glorious traits of this elegant culture.

Owing to scientific base, spiritual foundation, philosophical background and immense qualities of unparalleled significance, Indian culture attracts the intellectual mass the most in this materialistic world. But our dwindling faith in God, diminishing ethical, moral and social values, inhuman behavior, increasing selfishness, loss of wisdom etc. are causing immense harm to this glorious culture. All round efforts are, therefore, needed to protect it from invasion of these evils. In this direction, man-making odyssey launched by Yug Rishi (Saint of the Era), Gurudev, Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya is a commendable attempt worthy of praise.

Why student’s knowledge test

Yug Rishi, Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya, the well-known freedom fighter, the great sage, seer, saint and social reformer of the 20th century, founded All World Gayatri Pariwar to protect this culture from denigration. He was of the definite view that in this Era of materialism, Indian culture can be saved by the adoption of Gayatri, Yagna and ancient practice of Sanskaar in life. The principles involved in it should be scientifically established by facts, interpretations and examples of the past & present. He, therefore, published more than 3000 books with the boundless gift of knowledge and his literary capability in Indian culture. Any student cannot cover the contribution of cultural, moral, ethical, social and spiritual glory of Yug Rishi. Therefore, a question bank consisting of sublime truth, principles, dogmas and essence of various teachings, which may enable the student to acquire divinity in self, follow the path of glory, develop divine manners, charming habits, fascinating character, captivating behavior and elegant human traits was prepared scientifically to evaluate student’s knowledge. It was in conformity to mental development and stage of their academic pursuit, viz secondary (VI, VII, VIII) and higher secondary standards (IX, X, XI, XII), which are considered best for moulding and transformation in life. These stages constitute the backbone for reshaping of future generation and creation of elevated human race.

The interest, response and inquest of students

The test was initiated in 1994 at Bhopal on experimental basis. In this test, about 4000 students appeared. The test papers were so informative, appealing and inspiring that inquest for knowledge was tremendously increased. Mass requests for conducting this test were received from other Hindi speaking areas of the country in coming years, which were complied with. During 2001-2002, almost 2.4 million students appeared in the test in Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Punjab and Haryana. It is now proposed to commence the test in other languages as well. Efforts are also afoot to conduct the test in English language to benefit the students of foreign countries.

The benefits of the test

The benefits of test are far more than realized today. The test may enable to know about:

• the aim of life
• method of its attainment
• glorious customs and deeds for success
• human values needed for self-enlightment
• necessity of faith in Almighty God
• law of nature and duty towards it
• social obligation
• need of cultural awakening
• refinement of character
• adoption of ideal path
• development of divinity
• noble deeds
• importance of human glory

As it is said: Jaane bin na hoee parteeti, Bin parteeti hoye naheen preeti. This verse indicates that knowledge is the primary necessity for development of love. Once the love for Indian culture has been created and higher knowledge is attained, it may lead to:

• change in life style
• cleansing of own desires for peace and prosperity
• refinement of emotions
• development of satisfaction
• sharpness of thoughts
• arousal of consciousness for duty
• reduction in anxiety
• elimination of bad company
• end of evil habits
• freedom from addiction
• arousal of self-confidence
• reduction in vested interests
• increased love for national glory
• humanitarian outlook

If the quest of students about Indian culture can be judged from the popularity of test, it may be recalled that during the last 8 years, it exhibited 600 fold increase in the number of students.

Organization of test

The test is organized by Shantikunj – the famous pilgrimage center devoted to cultural, ethical, moral and spiritual awakening of the masses. It has constituted committees at its headquarter and zonal centers, state, district and tashil levels for conducting the test. These committees of different levels have well defined functions. The committees perform their functions with the assistance of volunteers of All World Gayatri Pariwar. Question banks, related books, posters, certificates etc. are printed at Shantikunj, Haridwar. These are then supplied to different zones as per their requirement. Each zone covers almost 5-6 districts. These zonal centers distribute entire material to districts and the districts distribute to tahsil headquarters. All World Gayatri Pariwar parijans (members) of each level organize the test in various schools and colleges with the help of the heads of these institutions. Every function is missionary work from top to bottom, and is performed by All World Gayatri Pariwar parijans (members) on self-intuition, voluntarily.

After the establishment of Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, it has been decided that education faculty of the university shall organize the test henceforth. Efforts are afoot to associate learned educationists of various states with this gigantic task for further fillip and improvement in test.

Rules & regulations of test

The rules and regulations of the test are simple. It is generally conducted in the months of October and November. A nominal fee of Rs. 10 is charged from the students, which meets the cost of question bank, books and other relevant material supplied to them, almost 2 months before the test.

The meritorious students of Tahsil and District are rewarded with gifts. The zone is provided with a shield in recognition of the commendable efforts made in enrolling maximum number of students for this test. Individuals or institutions interested in associating themselves with this sacred cultural cause may contact Shantikunj, Haridwar or Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Shantikunj for necessary details.

Contacts

Shantikunj, Haridwar – 249411 (Uttranchal) India
Phone: (01334)- 260602, 260309, 261376, 261485, 260723.
Mobile: 9897425434 (Haridwar), 9897425433 (Mathura)
Fax: (01334)- 260866
E-mail: bsgp@awgp.org
Website: www.awgp.org , www.dsvv.org