Special expressions at first gyankumbh organised jointly by Uttarakhand government and Patanjali University at patanjali yogapeeth

Ramnath Kovind (Honourable President)

I am delighted to participate in the gyankumbh 2018 organised at patanjali yogapeeth in the beautiful natural atmosphere of devabhumi Uttarakhand. There has been a tradition of organising religious kumbh in the country for centuries. Haridwar has been sacred land for organising kumbh. But organising first gyankumbh is very meaningful initiative.

Swami Ramdev is playing a pivotal role in augmenting importance of yoga in the modern knowledge and the education. According to earlier concept of yoga, the yoga was exercised on the mountains. Therefore, it was impossible for the common people to do yoga. But Swami Ramdev Jee’s effort has broken that myth. Today, the people in India and abroad have been adopting yoga. The UNO decided to celebrate June 21 as International Yoga Day due to efforts of government of India. That Day is celebrated in entire world. In fact, the life of Swami Ramdev Jee is synonymous with yoga exercise. Education is in my soul. Because, the education is the very basis of people, society and the prosperity in the country. The education ministers of the states, education secretaries, vice chancellors, principals, administrative officers and students are participating in the programme here. They will deliver their speech on the important subjects like Indian knowledge tradition and qualitative change. Both the Centre and the state governments are equally responsible for higher education in the country. Today, there is a new coordination between the Centre and the state government over higher education. For that, the Uttarakhand government has presented a good example. The higher education has mainly three pillars-teacher, management and student. The student has limited role, but the management and teachers are highly responsible for quality education. Every child has a talent which can be honed by the teachers and the educational institutions. No child should be deprived of opportunity of education due to poverty and disability. The teachers are also responsible for sowing the seeds of refinement apart from imparting education to the students. But only those teachers who are sensitive can impart love and refinement to the students. There are many inspiring examples of ideal teachers in the country. The contribution of Acharya Chanakya, Baba Sahab Bhimrao Ambedkar, Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and Mahamana Madanmohan Malaviya are exemplary. The management of educational institutions must be honest, transparent and authentic. We must make coordination at world level for relevant and useful higher education. I have seen during my foreign tour that many countries have study centres related with Indian subjects specially Indology. Similarly, Russian Studies, East Asian and German Studies, French Studies can also be accommodated in our universities. I would like that Union HRD Ministry must take initiative in this direction. I would be curious to know the conclusions of this dialogue being held for two days. I hope that this programme will be helpful in providing world class higher education in the country. I offer good wishes for your success in effort of reforming quality of higher education. 

Yogi Adityanath (Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh)

The Patanjali University is doing tremendous job by organising gyankumbh. First of all, we have to do research in Indian vedic tradition and knowledge. Despite having great knowledge tradition in the country, today’s educated youths are hopeless. The laziness is the main reason behind it. Respected Swami Ramdev Jee Maharaj has set up yoga tradition of Maharshi Patanjali and Indian spiritual tradition at world platform. Patanjali is doing good work of conservation of manuscript of ancient knowledge. Respected Swami Jee Maharaj has revived ancient gurukuliya tradition through acharyakulam and vedic gurukulam. Kumbh is a unique gift of Indian culture to the world. We have to adopt ancient knowledge of Indian intellectuals. Many students are getting diverted from their path due to lack of fundamental theories in higher education. For that, we have to bring qualitative change in the education through programmes like gyankumbh.

Some people ask for proof of Ram Janmabhumi. This is the repercussions of our wrong education policies. Lord Rama is the largest proof of our faith and confidence.  

Param Pujya Yoga Rishi Swami Ramdev Jee Maharaj

We are obliged for Honourable President for his august presence on the occasion. There is a sutra in Sankhya Darshan- Gyananmuktih, it means that the knowledge removes darkness and this is the slogan of this gyankumbh. The knowledge is the mantra of eradication of ignorance, unemployment, sorrow, poverty in the world. The country will get new light through this gyankumbh. Like yoga, the gyankumbh provides light of knowledge in the entire world and brings lost glory to India.
Respected Yogi Jee has boosted culture of the country. The yoga and veda are spreading due to Yogi Jee who is karmyogi, rashtrayogi and rajyogi. Sanskrit is not only a language but the culture and identity of India. People expect from Yogi Jee to provide due pride to Sanskrit. The countrymen waited for SC verdict on Ram Temple. All the MPs of Uttar Pradesh unanimously must bring Private Member Bill to pave the way for building Ram Temple at Ayodhya. This bill may be opposed. But nobody is opposed to Lord Rama.

 Smt Bebi Rani Maurya, (Honourable Governor, Uttarakhand)

Gyankumbh aims at qualitative reforms in higher education. The teacher has been glorified in comparison to the god in India. The students from entire world used to visit universities like Nalanda for attaining knowledge. We have to regain glory of knowledge tradition. Today is the era of technique. The syllabus needs to be updated through technique in the education. 

Sri Trivendra Singh Rawat, (Honourable Chief Minister of Uttarakhand)

Holding Gyankumbh in the state is a historic initiative. There will be an amrit manthan for all the educational institutions of the country through gyankumbh which will continue to direct the next generation for long time. Out of 903 universities, around 37 are situated in rural areas. Most of colleges don’t provide facilities of research based study. So, there is a need for make higher education as per modern and future requirements. 

Param Shradheya Acharya Balkrishna Jee Maharaj

 We are proud of organising first gyankumbh of state at patanjali yogapeeth. The subjects like qualitative education, nation building, higher education and moral education will be pondered over in the gyankumbh. ‘What will be our education’ has been discussed at seven sessions of gyankumbh. I say that our education system must groom yogi like respected Chief Minster Sri Yogi Adityanath Jee and Swami Jee Maharaj. Both the great personalities have done tremendous job for nation service and culture. 

Sri Dhan Singh Rawat, (Honourable Higher Education Minister Uttarakhand)

We are proud of Honourable President for his august presence at gyankumbh being organised first time in the state. In the programme, focus has been laid on qualitative higher education. It will bring a new direction to the education system in the country. A great initiative has been made to bring qualitative change in higher education. The Uttarakhand government is going to implement Yoga, Veda and Sanskrit in all the universities. Patanjali will play an important role in providing free of cost research system for economically weaker researchers. The acceptability of Yogi is after Modi Jee is unique in the country. Honourable Chief Minister Sri Trivendra Singh Rawat Jee and Respected Acharya Balkrishna Jee Maharaj have played an important role in organising gyankumbh.