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RT. HON. SIR SAPRU.
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Culture did not mean the same thing as the amount of reading for the B. A. or M. A. standard. Culture was a habit of mind which grew with them and which never left them until they were dead. Those who talked to him about culture were not in a position to assure him that 70 or 80 per cent. of those who passed through their hands retained their habits of culture when they had left the college.
If we were to blurt out the painful and ugly truth in a blunt manner, we would not hestitate to say that the Professors and Readers were being lured 10 the Universities by fat salaries and comforable living, and never thought of, imparting culture to the students. The students again joined the Universities simply with the object of acquiring Degrees, as passports to easy situations in life; and the desire to acquire knowledge or culture never crossed their minds. Teachers gained popularity and renown by helping the students to pass examinations, which was the objective they had in view, and for which they paid dearly.
Sir Sapru observed further :
The problem of education at the present moment was being approached in foreign countries from a thoroughly practical point of view. I had an opportunity of visiting a certain number of universities and schools during my recent visit to Europe in at least three countries, and was really amazed at the amount of read. justment and reorganization which was going on there in the system of education from top to bottom. People there were prepared to work out their future by recognizing the unpleasant realities of the situation. They realized, as many of them in this country did not, that after all it was not everybody who came to the university and sat for the examination who was dying for culture and that educa. tion must also have an economic value. Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat www.umaragyanbhandar.com
