Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde Says Universities Must Go Beyond Textbooks

Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde has said universities should give students an education that goes beyond textbooks and helps them understand life, develop intellectual ability and gain wisdom.

The Governor made the statement in his speech at the eighth convocation of Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Rajasthan Sanskrit University in Jaipur on Monday. He said the education must be practical for the students and must make them capable of distinguishing right from wrong.

Governor's view on higher education

According to Bagde, the function of universities shouldn't be restricted to only teaching those things which are mentioned in textbooks. As per the Governor, the students require education which increases their awareness and intellectual abilities and gives them wisdom.

His statement is in accordance with his earlier statements on higher education. In June 2025, he had stated that the purpose of education must not be confined to giving the students degrees. The schools, colleges, and universities must teach the students both textbook knowledge and practical knowledge.

In March 2025, in his speech at the IGNOU convocation in Jaipur, Bagde had also advised the students to read the books which contain information about life and changing circumstances instead of limiting themselves to syllabus-based books. 

Haribhau Bagde calls for wider use of Sanskrit 

The Governor also made references to Sanskrit education and its future. According to Bagde, Sanskrit can grow faster if it gets utilized on more occasions. The Governor suggested that the language must be popularized more among the public. In addition, Bagde emphasized that Sanskrit is one of the most ancient languages and, in the past, had been transmitted orally.

Previously, Bagde mentioned that there was a need to promote Sanskrit. During the seventh convocation of the same university in April 2025, he became one of the leaders advocating for the revival and popularization of the language.

Governor draws attention to India's traditional knowledge

Besides, Bagde paid attention to the centuries-old experience of India in the field of knowledge and education. Speaking about Nalanda, Bagde specifically said knowledge could not be destroyed even when Nalanda's library was burnt.

Moreover, Bagde emphasized the contribution of India to science and technologies and asserted that several features of India's traditional knowledge had subsequently been presented as Western accomplishments.

Such topics have previously been mentioned by Bagde in his education-related speeches. Thus, in March 2025, he spoke about connecting students with Indian knowledge and science and stressed that education must increase their intellectual abilities.

PhD degrees and gold medals presented

Convocation also witnessed the conferring of degrees and awards for the students. Bagde conferred PhD degrees and gold medals to meritorious students and other degrees in the function. He launched the website of Rajasthan Mantra Pratishthan, which was set up by the initiative of the university. 

Bagde also highlighted the teachings of the social reformer Ramanandacharya and also talked about the significance of saints and spiritual leaders in the well-being of the society.

The latest statement by the Governor once again raised the question regarding higher education that whether the learning of universities should conclude with the completion of a syllabus or whether students should have the capability of applying their learning in practical life as well.