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CM attends program to celebrate 200th birth anniversary year of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati

A ‘Gyan Jyoti Parva’ was celebrated to mark the 200th birth anniversary of Maharishi Dayananda Saraswati

Organized by Gujarat Prantiya Arya Pratinidhi Sabha in the presence of Hon’ble Governor Shri Acharya Devvrat and Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel

Maharishi Dayanand Saraswatiji dedicated himself to bringing social reform within society through a profound ideological transformation:- Hon’ble Governor Shri Acharya Devvrat

Hon’ble Governor Shri Acharya Devvrat

• Dayananda Saraswatiji shared the wisdom of the Vedas to the world
• He did a tremendous job of awakening the society against evils like ignorance and superstition

Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel

• Amongst Saints and sages, Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati, have made significant contributions to the nation’s development and progress:-
• In the present day, all of humanity is witnessing the banyan tree that has grown from the seed sown by Swamiji.
• Dayanand Saraswatiji spread the nectar of societal well-being by eradicating societal vices and guiding people onto the right path.

Under the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the elixir of societal welfare has reached the people through a multitude of beneficial programs and initiatives :-  Chief Minister 

Gandhinagar, 08 October 2023: To commemorate the 200th birth anniversary of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati, a ‘Gyan Jyoti Parva’ event was held in Ahmedabad. In attendance were Hon’ble Governor Shri Acharya Devvratji and Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel. The Gujarat Provincial Arya Pradini Sabha staged a vibrant celebration. During the festivities, the youth presented the audience with patriotic dances and staged a play aimed at raising awareness about social issues.

In his address, the Hon’ble Governor extended his congratulations to the Arya Samaj for hosting the Gyan Jyoti Parva. He noted that the Hon’ble PM, Shri Narendra Modi, had initiated this nationwide program celebrating the 200th birth anniversary of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati in Delhi on February 12th this year, with the aim of propagating the teachings of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati throughout the country.

Discussing the life and endeavours in social reform by Dayanand Saraswatiji, the Hon’ble Governor highlighted that Maharishi Dayananda Saraswatiji, born in Tankara, Gujarat, dedicated himself ceaselessly to fostering social change through an ideological revolution in society. His efforts extended throughout the country, particularly in North India and his home state of Gujarat, where he undertook significant work through ideological transformation to uplift society against prevailing harmful customs, ignorance, and superstition. This mission for social welfare and reform was pursued through various organizations and through the authorship of numerous books. He also shared the wisdom of the Vedas with the world and established several gurukuls, providing scholars to preserve and promote the ancient culture of the nation. Maharishi Dayanand Saraswatiji worked tirelessly to raise awareness about societal issues such as female education, untouchability, addiction, and more. Additionally, he made a substantial contribution to national unity by producing approximately 40 volumes in the Hindi language, helping bridge divisions created by the British on the basis of language and religion. The Governor emphasized that his profound ideological revolution extended to social, religious, and spiritual domains, leaving a lasting impact on society.

Speaking about the efforts aimed at fortifying society through the propagation of Dayanand Saraswati’s teachings in Gujarat, the Hon’ble Governor mentioned that the state government has undertaken numerous initiatives. Among these initiatives is the allocation of land for the development of Tankara, the birthplace of Dayanand Saraswatiji, into a significant pilgrimage site. In honour of the social ideals championed by Maharishi Dayananda Saraswati, the Governor also revealed that a sizable auditorium constructed at the Raj Bhavan has been named the “Maharishi Dayananda Saraswati Mandapam.”

Discussing the significant contributions of both the revolutionary Shyamji Krishna Varma and Maharishi Dayananda Saraswati to the freedom movement, the Hon’ble Governor noted that Shyamji Krishna Varma, who played an invaluable role in India’s struggle for independence while residing on British soil, was a devoted follower of Maharishi Dayananda Saraswati. Inspired by Maharishi Dayananda Saraswati’s teachings, Shyamji Krishna Varma relocated to England and established India House, which became a hub for numerous foreign-based revolutionaries who joined the fight for India’s freedom. Many notable figures in the freedom movement, including Bhagat Singh and Ramprasad Bismil, were influenced by the ideas of Dayanand Saraswati. The Hon’ble Governor also highlighted that under the leadership of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi, tribute and recognition were paid to Shri Shyamji Krishna Varma’s legacy. His remains were brought from England, and a grand monument was erected in his honour in Kutch, a fitting homage to his contributions to the country’s struggle for independence.

Expanding on his remarks, the Hon’ble Governor emphasized that under the capable leadership of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi, India’s dignity and rich cultural heritage have garnered recognition both domestically and on the global stage, notably during India’s hosting of the G20 summit.

Furthermore, he encouraged all those present from Arya Samaj to spread the teachings of Maharishi Dayananda Saraswati within society. He urged them to commit to ongoing efforts in the spheres of social reform and public awareness and to actively participate in initiatives like promoting natural farming among the general populace. He noted that presently, 8.5 lakh farmers in the state have embraced natural agriculture, and as part of the government’s proactive endeavours, they will continue striving to encourage more farmers to adopt this sustainable farming approach in the future.

Marking the auspicious occasion of Gyan Jyoti Parva, Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel expressed that as the nation celebrates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswatiji, the esteemed founder of Arya Samaj, he is privileged to be part of these celebrations.

The Hon’ble CM also shared his delight on this occasion, highlighting that it’s a moment of happiness for everyone that Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Gyan Jyoti Parva from New Delhi on the auspicious 200th birth anniversary of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati. Under Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership, the nation is currently experiencing a cultural renaissance.

In reference to Maharishi Dayanand Saraswatiji, the Hon’ble CM conveyed that two centuries ago, at the time of Maharshi Dayanandji’s birth, the nation had lost its shine after enduring centuries of domination. Moreover, during a period when there were numerous endeavours to erase our customs, values, and ideals, Maharshiji played a pivotal role in reviving the awareness of Vedana Bodh within society and charting a fresh path for the people.

In this context, Hon’ble CM added that Swami Dayanandji consistently advocated for India to rediscover its ancient, original religion and to share its finest principles with the global community. He went on to emphasize that saints and sages, including Maharishi Dayananda Saraswati, have made significant contributions to the betterment of society and the nation. Swamiji not only introduced revolutionary ideas to India but also integrated them into the system, giving rise to several pivotal institutions. One such institution, the Arya Samaj, was founded in Mumbai in 1875. Consequently, today, all of humanity is reaping the benefits of the banyan tree that has sprouted from the seeds sown by Swamiji, and the present event serves as a testament to this enduring legacy.

During the event, the Hon’ble CM also expressed that Gujarat is fortunate as it is the birthplace of Maharshiji. Gujarat holds the distinction of being the birthplace of extraordinary individuals like Maharshi Dayananda, a rare Vibhuti.

Discussing the amenities for Arya Samajis visiting the birthplace of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati, the Chief Minister mentioned that ongoing efforts are being made to provide conveniences such as landscaping, seating arrangements, a toilet block, and water facilities for pilgrims. Furthermore, the state government has allocated land on the Rajkot-Morbi highway to the Shri Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Trust.

Highlighting Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati’s endeavours in the realm of societal welfare, Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel expressed that Dayanand Saraswatiji disseminated the elixir of Janakalyan among the populace by eradicating societal ills and guiding them towards the correct path.

Presently, under the leadership of Shri Narendra Modi, the very essence of Janakalyan is being extended to the populace through a diverse array of welfare initiatives. The nation is now witnessing the realization of Swami Dayanandji’s aspirations. A nationwide endeavour to serve the underprivileged and marginalized, the Antyodaya Yajna, is in progress. Therefore, guided by the mantra of ‘Sauna Saath, Sauna Vikas, Sauna Vishwas, and Sauna Prayaas’, essential provisions such as shelter, healthcare, and nourishment have been made accessible to those in need, the Chief Minister further elaborated.

Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, efforts have been made to blend modernity with a reawakened appreciation for our traditions. Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi has emphasized the importance of ‘heritage and development,’ and it is our collective commitment to transform this timeless era of our nation into a golden period for our culture.

During this event, Minister of State Shri Jagdish Vishwakarma, City Mayor Smt Pratibha Jain, MLA Shri Jitu Patel, Shri Harshad Patel, Shri Suresh Chandra Arya of Gujarat Provincial Arya Pratini Sabha, Shri Deepak Thakkar, and various other distinguished individuals were in attendance.

Source: Information Department, Gujarat