Living Utopias
For All of Us
Are you interested in exploring radical alternatives to Industrialism that has led us to the brink of ecological and societal collapse? Let’s journey towards a better world — a vision of just, equitable, healthy, happy, peaceful , creative, caring, sharing, self-sufficient, self- governing, eco-sustainable, non-exploiting, rural and urban communities.
In India, the legacy of Gandhi and Tagore’s alternative civilisational vision of Swaraj continues to inspire and propel alternatives. This website started out by focusing on alternatives in education from the framework of Gandhian Education (Nai Talim).
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Sujit Sinha and Pallavi Varma Patil, Co-Curators of the Living UtopiaS Course.
Courses
Participants
Living Utopias Course
We offer a short residential course called Living Utopias for anyone who believes that the current industry driven endless economic growth model which we term as Industrialism has collapsed or is in severe crisis and there is an urgent need for creating an alternative world in every sphere be it of ecology, economy, politics, culture, education and technology. Through our course we intend to help the participant gain a perspective around the urgency in combating the crisis of industrialism in the world today and introduce the participant to various alternatives existing in the world today.
Learn more about the course
The Gandhi Notebook
A small team at Azim Premji University brought out The Gandhi Notebook in 2017 that compiles a curated set of readings on Gandhi. These include his vision related to education, ecology, economics, science and technology, and society. The notebook is designed such that anyone interested in Gandhian ideas will benefit, especially young adults who are keen to understand his key ideas that go beyond peace and cooperation. Perhaps even excite the reader to put some of the ideas into practice! Browse the book below or download the PDF: The Gandhi Notebook (PDF).
Nayee, Nai Taleem
“We will know what education to provide if we know what kind of society we want “- John Dewey
Gandhi’s idea of basic education or Nai Talim places productive hands on work at the centre of any learning curriculum . It was meant to be an all round development of the head, heart, and hand (3 H) as opposed to the 3Rs (Reading-Writing-Arithmetic).
Productive work (and other forms of work as well, including social engagement) was meant to be a pedagogic medium for knowledge acquisition, developing values and multiple skill formation.
We engage with the Gandhian conception of education i.e Nai Talim by way of a historical overview, the various debates and interpretations surrounding it; critical reflections; as well as its relevance in today’s world. In addition, we provide case studies documented from across India where Nai Talim is practiced in some form linking activities to curriculum and conceptual understanding. Resources collated here will help you appreciate the differences between activity based teaching, education through work, and vocational education.
