IGNOU to start courses in Vedic and Indic studies next month

From

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ignou-to-start-courses-in-vedic-and-indic-studies-next-month/story-fndWFAVALuhCiPrKdq33nI.html

IGNOU to start courses in Vedic and Indic studies next month

The courses will begin next month and will be offered to applicants in India and abroad.

By

Smriti Kak Ramachandran 

The Swaminarayan sect has followers in many countries, especially in the United States of America, United Kingdom, South Africa and Kenya. 

A senior official of the University said the courses in Vedic and Indic studies are aimed at creating awareness about knowledge of the native people. 

“There are not many who can even tell the time sequence of the four Vedas and not many realise what is a Ved. General perception is it a collection of hymns. ….Vedas are a reflection of Indian civilisation and offer an insight into what society was all about,” an official told HT. 

The official said Indic studies will focus on the geographic, social, religious aspects of ancient Indian civilization. It will also take into account other spiritual sects and faiths such as Sufism. 

“Since the days of colonialism we have been taught history with a particular shade; more than 70% of the time we were talking ill of the Indian society—Dalits and women were ill-treated and it was a decrepit society. If that were true, why are there illustrious accounts of Greek people, who talk so highly of Indian society?” the official said.