We travel for business. We travel for sightseeing. We travel for necessity. But very few in our country travel to acquire knowledge. In Europe, travelling is a necessary part of education.
Educational value of travelling can hardly be described. Bacon says that travelling in younger age is part of education, in the elderly age, a part of experience. Travelling teaches us better than books. Sense organ is not very powerful factor.
The eye is very essential in learning. We read of the existence, in the past, of a university called Nalanda. They say that there were one hundred lecture rooms. We think this as a fact of imagination. Run to this spot. Your doubt will at once be removed.
Travelling gives us an opportunity for getting practical experience of the world. Pope, the poet, sings that the proper study of mankind is man. The travellers comes into contact of various types of people. If a traveller moves about with keen eyes and open door of his mind, he can attion in depth of knowledge about men and things which no book can give.
Travelling is also essential for the healthy growth of mind. “The mind’s health,” says Tagore, “cannot be maintained on the ration supplied by book in our classrooms. It broadens our outlook. Travelling broadens our outlook. It makes us liberal in thought and outlook.” It deepens our sympathies. The experience enables us to see things from a new angle of vision. It develops in us a correct sense of value.
Travelling gives us a practical knowledge of trade and commerce. A visit to the commercial centre teaches us more of commerce than all the books of a commercial library. Personal contacts helps to build and expand business. It quickens trade.
Travelling brings us closer to nature. To a traveller nature becomes a living thing. It speaks in a language more impressive than any pen can do.
It is very essential that students should get every oppurtunity to travel. Our schools and colleges should make arrangement for the sarve.
Vocabulary
Broaden—become wide
Essential—necessary
