The pursuit of knowledge has always been highly valued in Indian culture. Ancient India was home to some of the world's earliest and most renowned centers of learning, such as Nalanda and Takshashila universities. The Indian tradition of knowledge transmission through the guru-shishya (teacher-disciple) parampara continues to influence its educational practices. Today, India is a global leader in information technology and scientific research, while also being a major hub for traditional arts and humanities.