The Discovery of India by Sister Nivedita:A Guidance For Value Education

Abstract

'Values' differ from culture to culture; they undergo changes with time and evolving social structure. The concept of 'value-education' itself may be a process of brainwashing of the masses by the ruling class. Can there be anything as 'Universal' or 'Eternal' values? Sister Nivedita had dedicated herself to the cause of India. It was no less austerity than the 'tapasya' of Uma of Kalidasa's Kumarasambham. She bridged the ocean of cultural difference, Indianized herself. How? Did she discover the soul of India? She had the rarest of rare ability to visualize 'The Eternal Truth', the 'atman', the Siva within the frail, mortal frame of human beings, especially among the Indians: the poor, the downtrodden, the toiling masses. An exploration through her path of 'Discovery of "India"' will lead us towards development of values that will promote self-realization.