THE WORSHIP OF LEARNING
Guru Purnima is a celebration of teaching, of the knowledge that teachers, gurus, pass on to their students—a
literal enlightening, a bringing out of darkness. This photograph captures the tradition as practised at a Vedic
school in Navi Mumbai. The school is one of the few that attempts to combine a serious study of Sanskrit and
the Vedas with more contemporary education, preparing students for the job market as well as giving them a
grounding in their tradition. Vedic education is important to the Hindutva agenda, the politicking around the
issue making the schools and what they teach the subject of controversy. The human resource development
ministry is currently examining a proposal to allow Vedic schools to offer qualifications equivalent to all-India
board exams at the 10th and 12th standard level. Perhaps, such a move will lead to a necessary scrutiny of
syllabuses and the quality of teaching in Vedic schools.
EXPOSUREBACHCHAN KUMAR/ GETTY IMAGES