Rishikesh. Parmarth Niketan pays heartfelt tribute to India’s great freedom fighter, nation builder, former Home Minister and first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Bharat Ratna Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant on the auspicious occasion of his birth anniversary. Recalled the incomparable contribution made by Pandit Pandit for national service, good governance, social harmony and public welfare, his life is an inspiration of patriotism, devotion and service for the coming generations.
Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant was one of those great national leaders who, besides playing an active role in the freedom movement, also made invaluable contribution in the building of independent India. As the first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, he did important work for education, agriculture, irrigation, industrial development, social reforms and strengthening the administrative system. As the Home Minister of independent India, he also played an important role in strengthening national unity, integrity and democratic values.
Swami Chidanand Saraswati said in his message that India’s great tradition includes good governance i.e. governance which includes the spirit of compassion, justice, piety and public welfare. Our sages considered the spirit of ‘Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah’ as the basis of life and governance. The life of Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant is a modern expression of this Indian thinking.
Parmarth Niketan also remembered the life of the great warrior of Indian history and the just ruler Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar and her ideals of good governance. Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar ji presented a wonderful example of piety, justice, compassion and public service during her reign. He linked his personal life not with royal grandeur but with public welfare and played an important role in preserving the spiritual and cultural heritage of India.
He built temples, ghats, dharamshalas and public utility structures at many pilgrimage sites in the country. From Kashi to Gaya, Somnath to Haridwar and many holy places of the country, the signs of his vision of service still exist as a living heritage of Indian culture.
Swami said in his message that personalities like Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant and Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar considered their position not as a prestige but as a responsibility and dedicated their lives to the society and the nation by raising themselves above themselves. Today, when society and nation are going through a phase of rapid change, remembering such ideals becomes even more necessary.
On this auspicious occasion, Parmarth Niketan called upon to imbibe the ideals of national service of Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant and the spirit of religiousness and public welfare of Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar in their lives.