Towards Inclusivity within Knowledge and Culture

Exposure to global knowledge and culture fosters the transformation of an exclusive nation into an inclusive one. Introducing global knowledge and culture to the learners of the present generation creates a high possibility of reconstructing the nation. It is universally acknowledged that learners develop a broader understanding of knowledge and culture when exposed to its global varieties. The current discussion is mounted on Sudhanshu Bhushan’s article titled “FHEIs Draft Regulations, 2023: Concerns and Contradictions” (EPW, 13 May 2023). The article has explored various aspects of “Setting Up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions [FHEI] in India Regulations, 2023.” The author has argued that these draft regulations promote cultural domination and increase the propensity of producing Eurocentric knowledge on India. The current discussion extends Bhushan’s views on Eurocentric knowledge and ethnic culture by taking an optimistic look.

We primarily disagree with the term “Eurocentric” as used by Bhushan, since it limits the scope of understanding knowledge and culture. Therefore, we seek to replace this term with “global knowledge.” The primary reason for this replacement is that the FHEIs Draft Regulations, 2023 welcomes global knowledge and culture, irrespective of our geographical frontiers. However, acquiring global knowledge and culture contradicts the draft guidelines released by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in April 2023, which emphasises the incorporation of Indian knowledge into the higher education curricula. This aspect has also been discussed in Namrata R Ganneri’s editorial comment “Teaching and Learning Indian Knowledge Systems” (EPW, 13 May 2023). Further, the article by Bhushan also gives a reference to this contradicting notion. So, it is evident that, on the one hand, the education system of India is striving to impart indigenous knowledge through the National Education Policy, 2020, and on the other, it is attempting to promote global knowledge through FHEIs Draft Regulations, 2023.