Dr Larry Arnn, President, Hillsdale College, USA

One of the best adventures I have had in many years is my first trip to India. I have long followed the affairs of India and regarded it as important to the world. I saw wonders there. I will describe some of them in my despatches in future.

Begin with education. By attending the EducationWorld India School Rankings Awards event in October, and receiving an undeserved but much appreciated award there, I discerned a healthy spirit of love for learning and for children. I witnessed a vibrant private sector full of devoted people and eager students. I saw it helps students to grow. This was exciting and inspiring.

Here in the United States, Hillsdale College has helped to found and manage over 100 schools, and the network is still growing. We have developed a detailed and carefully coordinated scope and sequence for education of the young from first grade (kindergarten) to graduation in grade XII or senior year. Our college operates at the highest academic level, and its faculty has deep knowledge of all things that are taught in America’s schools. It contributes continuously to our efforts in elementary and secondary education.

We are invited by many to become involved in Indian education, and we are keen to do so. However we have to learn more about the history, literature, philosophy, and religions of India. We have set about that work and find it promising. I begin with the fact that in India and in the United States (and most of Europe), we speak languages of the ‘Indo-European’ group. This means our languages have descended over millennia from a common source. Different on surface, Hindi and English are related.

But words flow from ideas. That means that from as far back as can be known, we have inherited not only words but ideas in common. It stands to reason, then, that philosophy, literature, and religion in our countries would have commonalities of ancient origin. We are exploring this and will be able, we hope, to teach these commonalities to American and Indian students.

A vital commonality is that we both elect our governments. That is of first importance in civic life. If government works for the people, it will be of one kind. If it works for the few in power, it will be an entirely different and worse experience. Modern India is a young country built upon an ancient foundation. The glory of its modern history is this building and maintenance of a system of representative government. Students in America and India need to know that.

The world of education in India, which is united to a considerable degree by this publication, is exciting and promising. India is a guardian of freedom and civilization for the world. It can maintain this position best, even only, through education. It is inspiring to watch education flourish in India. We hope to be of service.

Also read: Lifetime Achievement in Education Leadership Award 2023-24: Dr. Larry Arnn