Chandigarh, October 23:- Haryana Governor Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh urged young people not to confine Sant Ravidas’s teachings to books and academic courses, but to make them an integral part of their lives and conduct. He said that wherever discrimination occurs, they should stand up for equality; wherever someone needs help, they should come forward to offer support; and wherever someone is denied an opportunity, they should strive to create one for them. This, he said, would be a true tribute to Sant Ravidas.
The Governor was addressing an international seminar on ‘Sant Ravidas: Tradition, Transformation and the Consciousness of Resistance’ at Panjab University, Chandigarh, today. On the occasion, he shared his views with scholars, researchers and students on Sant Ravidas’s teachings, social philosophy and vision of an egalitarian society.
Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh said that Sant Ravidas’s concept of ‘Begumpura’ conveys the vision of a society free from fear, discrimination and injustice, where every individual enjoys dignity and equal opportunities. Today, there is a need to build an India guided by this very spirit, where every child receives education, every young person gets an opportunity to progress according to their talent, women have equal opportunities and every individual can live with dignity. He said this was not merely the responsibility of the government but a shared duty of all citizens.
Use Social Media to Unite Society
The Governor said that in the present era of social media, numerous platforms for communication are available. These should be used to unite society, promote mutual understanding and encourage positive ideas, rather than create divisions. Differences of opinion may exist, but mutual respect must be maintained. This is the hallmark of a democratic society and the strength of Indian culture.
He called upon universities and educational institutions to ensure that seminars and other academic activities organised on Sant Ravidas do not remain confined to a single day. Continuous research should be undertaken on his literature, philosophy and social thought, meaningful discussions should be organised among students, and his teachings should reach society beyond the classroom.
The Message of Self-Transformation Is Embedded in ‘Man Changa Ta Kathoti Vich Ganga’
Referring to Sant Ravidas’s famous saying, ‘Man Changa Ta Kathoti Vich Ganga’ (If the mind is pure, the Ganges is present even in a humble vessel), the Governor said that real transformation begins within an individual. If our thoughts reflect equality, our conduct demonstrates respect and our hearts embody humanity, we can bring positive change from our families to society as a whole. He urged everyone to pledge that they would not limit Sant Ravidas’s teachings to books, speeches and platforms, but would adopt them in their everyday conduct.
Development Is Meaningful Only When the Last Person in Society Is Not Left Behind
Prof. Ghosh said that India is progressing rapidly today. Technology, artificial intelligence (AI), the digital revolution and new economic opportunities are opening up new avenues for development. However, alongside this progress, it is essential to ensure that no one is left behind on the journey of development. True development is one in which even the last person in society receives dignity, equal opportunities and the right to progress. He said that Sant Ravidas’s teachings continue to provide relevant guidance for building a just, inclusive and compassionate society.
On the occasion, the Governor’s ADC, Mohit Handa; Director of the Research and Development Cell at Panjab University, Prof. Sarita Gupta; Head of the Department of Hindi, Prof. Ashok Kumar; and several scholars, researchers and students were present.
