As part of its 75th Anniversary (Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav) celebrations, Chinmaya Mission, Kolkata, on July 11, organised the Swami Chinmayananda Memorial Panel Discussion on the theme “For Today’s Arjunas – Introduce the Wisdom of the Bhagawad Gita in Schools and Colleges”.
Delivering the keynote address at the event, Mr Swapan Dasgupta, West Bengal Finance Minister, said, “Bhagawad Gita is inherent to our culture. It is very important to realize the essence, the sense of values which existed, the sense of fearlessness, which the Bhagawad Gita is all about. That sense of fearlessness as an instrument of nation building is to be given. I believe certain values must be inculcated in people right from childhood.”
The discussion was inspired by the vision of Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, whose pioneering work transformed the Bhagawad Gita from being confined to places of worship into a practical guide for everyday living. He consistently emphasised that spirituality is not merely to be studied but to be lived, and that lasting societal transformation begins with individual transformation.
The panel discussion initiated a meaningful conversation on integrating the timeless wisdom of the Bhagawad Gita into contemporary education in an inclusive, age-appropriate and academically relevant manner. At a time when India is reimagining its education system through the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, it is important to introduce India’s civilisational wisdom as a part of the curriculum in schools and colleges so as to shape future generations.
The event brought together distinguished spiritual leaders, educators and policymakers to deliberate on the role of value-based education in shaping future generations. The discussion in particular brought together eminent spiritual leaders representing some of India’s foremost institutions, including Pujya Swami Atmapriyananda Ji, Ramakrishna Mission Pro-Chancellor of RKMVERI; Aradhya Bhagavan Das, Dean, Bhaktivedanta Research Centre, Kolkata and Pujya Swami Mitrananda Ji, Head of Chinmaya Mission Chennai and North East Bharat. The panel was moderated by Swami Prakarshananda Ji, Chinmaya Mission, New Delhi. Together, they delved on how the universal teachings of the Bhagawad Gita can help young people navigate the challenges of the modern world while fostering ethical leadership, resilience, self-mastery and purpose-driven living.
Speaking at the panel, Pujya Swami Mitrananda said, “Bhagawad Gita was relevant 5000 years ago and it is relevant even today. It helps students think better and shun away the weakness/stress that limits our abilities. Today’s youth are growing up in an era of immense opportunity, but also unprecedented emotional, ethical and social challenges. Education must prepare them not only to build successful careers but also to lead meaningful lives. The principles of Karma Yoga discussed in Bhagawad Gita offers timeless guidance to students and helps improve their attitude towards studies, examinations and career choices.”
Elaborating on the principle of Karma Yoga as mentioned in Bhagawad Gita, Pujya Swami Atmapriyananda Ji, said, “It is important that we do not just chase goals or targets, but focus wholeheartedly on the task or action in hand and the results will follow.”
The discussion drew attention to the growing need for an educational framework that nurtures emotional intelligence, ethical clarity, resilience and responsible citizenship alongside academic excellence. As India progresses towards the vision of a Viksit Bharat, there is increasing recognition that national development requires not only technological capability and economic growth, but also citizens grounded in values and character.
Explaining how Bhagawad Gita can help students develop emotional resilience and mental well-being, Aradhya Bhagavan Das, said, “Nothing worth having comes easy in life. If you want to become the best version of yourself then you will have to go through the grind.”
The theme “For Today’s Arjunas” reflects the timeless relevance of the Bhagawad Gita. While the battlefield of Kurukshetra belonged to another age, today’s young people face their own battles, which includes uncertainty, anxiety, ethical dilemmas, social pressures and the search for meaning in an increasingly complex world.
