Education Must Strengthen Minds, Not Just Grant Degrees: NHRC Chief Justice Ramasubramanian

Bhubaneswar: In a thought-provoking address at Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) Deemed to be University on Friday, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Justice V. Ramasubramanian voiced concern over the shortcomings of modern education, stating that it has failed to strengthen the minds of students.

Delivering a lecture on holistic education, Justice Ramasubramanian said today’s youth frequently complain about being “stressed out”—a phrase he noted was hardly heard four decades ago. He attributed this to a pampered upbringing and a lack of resilience, observing that education today falls short in preparing students for real-life challenges.

“Education should not merely be a means to acquire degrees. Its true purpose is to build character, enhance intellect, develop mental strength, and make individuals self-reliant,” the NHRC Chairman said. He emphasized the need for education to foster a student’s physical, mental, moral, and spiritual growth—pillars advocated by Swami Vivekananda.

Citing philosopher Will Durant, Justice Ramasubramanian described education as “the progressive discovery of one’s ignorance.” He questioned whether literacy alone could be equated with being truly educated, pointing out that colleges only introduce students to the world’s knowledge but often fail to instill deeper understanding and life skills.

He shared the tragic story of a 45-year-old chartered accountant in the USA who, after losing everything during the 2008 financial crisis, took the lives of his entire family and himself. “Despite his educational qualifications, he lacked the mental resilience to face adversity,” Justice Ramasubramanian remarked. “Do our institutions teach students how to handle failure or crises?”

Justice Ramasubramanian urged a paradigm shift in the education system, calling for a model that prepares young minds not just for careers, but for life itself. “Success today is measured by jobs and salaries, but real success lies in character and the ability to endure. Education should not end with a degree; it should be a lifelong journey—from the womb to the tomb.”

His speech drew strong applause from the academic audience and sparked meaningful discussion on the need for reforming India’s education system to prioritize emotional intelligence, ethical grounding, and life skills alongside academic learning.