CM inaugurates 1st Patanjali Ayurveda Gurukulam in Haridwar
By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Haridwar, 23 Sep: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today inaugurated the first Patanjali Ayurveda Gurukulam at Patanjali Wellness Yoggram in Aurangabad village, Haridwar. On this occasion the CM described the Gurukulam as an important initiative to connect India’s glorious knowledge tradition with the modern era. He also congratulated Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna and the entire Patanjali family on the launch of the Gurukulam. Swami Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna were also present on this occasion.
Addressing the gathering, the CM noted that Haridwar is a major centre of faith, culture and Sanatan tradition, and that the establishment of Patanjali Ayurveda Gurukulam in Devbhoomi would serve as an important link between India’s ancient knowledge tradition and contemporary education. He said the Gurukul tradition in India has been the foundation of knowledge, values, discipline and character building for thousands of years. He reminded that the students in Gurukuls were imparted not only bookish knowledge but also taught the art of living and made aware of their responsibilities towards society.
Quoting the ancient dictum, ‘Sa Vidya Ya Vimuktaye’, Dhami asserted that that the true purpose of education is to liberate a person from ignorance, fear and narrow-mindedness and ensure the holistic development of his personality. He expressed confidence that Patanjali Ayurveda Gurukulam would emerge as a strong medium for taking the Indian knowledge tradition to the new generation. He expressed confidence that the integration of modern science and technology with yoga, Ayurveda, Indian culture and traditional values would connect students with their roots while also preparing them to face the challenges of the future.
Dhami said that in a rapidly changing world, the relevance of Gurukul education has increased further. Along with modern knowledge, education in values, discipline and a balanced lifestyle is essential for the all-round development of children. He said Swami Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna have continuously worked in the fields of Yoga, Ayurveda, education, research and public health. While Swami Ramdev has played an important role in taking yoga to the masses, Acharya Balkrishna had made significant contributions to the study, research and promotion of Ayurveda.
The CM said that the National Education Policy-2020, implemented under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, places special emphasis on the skills, innovation, the Indian knowledge tradition and the holistic development of students. Uttarakhand is also continuously moving ahead towards effective implementation of the National Education Policy, he said.
He said modernity and tradition are not contradictory but complementary to each other. The younger generation, while remaining connected with its roots and heritage and embracing modern knowledge, can face future challenges with greater confidence. He said a Centre for Hindu Studies has been established at Doon University to promote the study and research of the Indian knowledge tradition, philosophy and culture. The state government was making efforts to ensure that the younger generation knew and understood its rich heritage and presented it before the world with confidence, he added.
Dhami also asserted that the state government is working continuously to develop Uttarakhand not only as a tourism destination but also as a major global centre for knowledge, yoga, Ayurveda and spirituality. Institutions such as Patanjali Ayurveda Gurukulam would prove to be important partners in this direction, he said. He expressed confidence that the Gurukulam would, in the coming years, emerge as an important centre for the study of knowledge, science, yoga and Ayurveda for students from Uttarakhand, the country and different parts of the world. Students graduating from the institution would contribute significantly to society and nation-building with knowledge, values and a spirit of service, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Swami Ramdev emphasised that the allopathy has its limitations and that modern science faces challenges in the treatment of complex health issues such as liver failure. He said Patanjali has developed Ayurvedic medicines for the treatment of liver failure and claimed that these have benefited lakhs of people. He further claimed that the medicines have helped many people avoid the need for liver and kidney transplants.
Swami Ramdev said Elon Musk had dreamt of establishing a world in the sky and had achieved significant success in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Patanjali is also mastering AI, but it is more focussed on working in the fields of RI (Real Intelligence) and SI (Spiritual Intelligence).
Ramdev also claimed that Patanjali’s running cost is around Rs 5,000 crore. While some people continue to criticise the organisation, Patanjali is providing employment to five lakh people and bringing happiness to the homes of lakhs of families.
The institute’s website mentions that classes from 4 to 12 are conducted at the Haridwar Gurukulam. Cabinet Minister Madan Kaushik, Ranipur MLA Adesh Chauhan, Jwalapur MLA Ravi Bahadur, former Cabinet Minister Swami Yatishwaranand, Golden Baba, Swami Bhoodev, BJP district president Ashutosh Sharma, BJP Roorkee district president Dr Madhu Singh, Official functionaries Om Prakash Jamdagni, Adesh Saini, Shyamveer Saini and Ajit Singh, Roorkee Mayor Anita Agarwal, DM Mayur Dixit and SSP Navneet Singh Bhullar were among those present on the occasion.
