India Land of Knowledge and Enlightenment
Read the passages given below and answer the questions that follow them:
1. India was once considered the land of knowledge and enlightenment. In ancient times, scholars from all over Asia and Europe used to flock to Taxila, Nalanda and other Indian centres of learning. Apart from arts, culture, philosophy and religion, these scholars came to study medicine, law and martial arts. But despite having a vastly expanded university system and historical advantages, modern India has yet to provide international or even regional leadership in higher education.
2. The United States is by far the most successful country in attracting foreign students. But other countries such as Australia, Canada and Britain also aggressively market their universities abroad through their education, counselling services and recruitment fairs with the active cooperation of their diplomatic missions abroad.
3. Likewise, India should also capitalise on the advantages offered by its higher education institutions, market Indian universities abroad and facilitate the entry of foreign students into them.
4. The revenue from foreign students can be used to ease the financial crunch faced by Indian universities, improve academic facilities and subsidise the cost of educating Indian students.
5. But apart from economic advantages, many other benefits would accrue to the nation. India would gain global and regional influence, goodwill and become a major provider of higher education. Many Asian and African countries, especially the smaller ones have poorly developed university systems and would look to Indian universities for the higher education of their youth. At the same time, Indian students will not be deprived if 10 per cent of supernumerary seats are created in universities and professional colleges for foreign students.
6. Already professional education in India has proved accessible and affordable for foreign students, especially from Malaysia, the Middle East and South Africa. In these countries higher education training facilities are limited. Many NM (Non-resident Indian) families abroad, especially those from English-speaking industrialised countries are also keen to send their children to study in their motherland and hopefully to become attuned to their Indian roots in the process.
Word-Meaning: Enlightenment—knowledge Flock—assemble, Expanded—spread out, Aggressively—vigorously,Capitalise—(here) make best use of, Accrue—to increase over a period of time, Facilitate—make easy, Revenue—money earned, Crunch—deficit Supernumerary—extra, Accessible—reachable, Keen—eager Attuned—become familiar with
1. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer any four of the following questions in about 30-40 words each:
(i) Why was India once considered to be a land of knowledge and enlightenment?
(ii) Name the countries which attract foreign students very much.
(iii) How can the revenue from foreign students be gainfully used?
(iv) Why is professional education in India proving accessible and affordable for foreign students?
(v) Why did scholars from Asia and Europe often flock to Taxila and Nalanda?
2. On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer any four of the following:
(i) For gaining higher education, most of the students prefer to go to …………
(a) Australia (b) The United States (c) Canada (d) Britain
(ii) India should use the revenue from foreign students to upgrade the …………
(a) infrastructure facilities (b) basic facilities
(c) transport facilities (d) academic facilities
(iii) In para1,………..means ‘widely’.
(a) vastly (b) expanded (c) flock (d) higher
(iv) Professional education in India is accessible and affordable for the students of Malaysia, the Middle East and South Africa due to …………
(a) poverty in these countries
(b) the lack of higher education facilities in these countries
(c) India being their nearest country
(d) best professional training provided in India
(v) In para6,………. means accustomed.
(a) accessible (b) affordable (c) keen (d) attuned
Answers
1.(i) India was once considered to be a land of knowledge and enlightenment because scholars from all over the Asia and Europe flocked to Taxila and Nalanda to study arts, culture, philosophy, religion, medicine, law and martial arts.
(ii) The United States attracts the maximum number of foreign students. It is followed by Australia, Canada and Britain.
(iii) India can use the revenue earned from foreign students to aid Indian universities, improve academic facilities and subsidising the cost of educating Indian students.
(iv) Professional education in India is proving accessible and affordable for foreign students because countries like Malaysia, the Middle East and South Africa have limited higher education training facilities. Many NRIs send their children here to have their Indian roots.
(v) Scholars from Asia and Europe used to flock to Taxila and Nalanda. These two were centres of learning and knowledge. Apart from arts, culture, philosophy and religion, they also came to study medicine, law and martial arts.
2.(i) (b) The United States
(ii) (d) academic facilities
(iii) (a) vastly
(iv) (b) the lack of higher education facilities in these country
(v) (d) attuned
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