A Random Walk in Santiniketan Ashram

Book Details

• Publisher: Niyogi Books

• Author: Sushanta Dattagupta

• Language: English

• Edition: First Edition

• ISBN: 9789385285400

• Pages: 220

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches

About the Book

“A Random Walk in Santiniketan Ashram” by Sushanta Dattagupta offers an insightful exploration of Visva-Bharati University, one of India's most prestigious educational institutions, founded by the visionary Rabindranath Tagore. Written during the author’s tenure as the Vice Chancellor (2012–2014), this collection of essays reflects on the university’s evolution and its alignment with Tagore’s ideals of holistic education.

Visva-Bharati was originally conceived as an Ashram—an educational sanctuary where learning would transcend traditional academic boundaries. However, Dattagupta raises an essential question: Has Visva-Bharati lost its foundational ideals, succumbing to the same institutional constraints that govern other higher education institutes?

Through a thoughtful and candid narrative, the book delves into the unique characteristics of Visva-Bharati and examines how the university has been shaped over time by changing educational landscapes, policies, and practices. With its blend of personal reflections and academic observations, A Random Walk in Santiniketan Ashram is both a tribute to Rabindranath Tagore’s vision and a critical inquiry into the current state of the university.

For anyone interested in Tagore’s educational philosophy or the challenges faced by institutions of higher learning in India, this book offers a profound reflection on the intersection of tradition and modernity in the realm of education.