11-07-2026 : Address by the Hon’ble Governor on the Occasion of the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Ram Tirth Centre (Saharanpur).

Jai Hind!

It gives me immense pleasure to be present among you on this sacred occasion. I extend my heartfelt greetings to all the revered saints, scholars, acharyas, distinguished guests, members of the Ram Tirth Centre family, and devotees gathered here for this august ceremony.

Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, the sacred land of sages, saints, ascetics, and seers, has been the eternal custodian of India’s rich traditions of spirituality, yoga, Vedanta, and the welfare of humanity. This ceremony, being held in this spiritually vibrant land, is a remarkable effort to bring together India’s diverse spiritual traditions in a spirit of dialogue, mutual respect, and harmony.

Today’s occasion is not merely a celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Ram Tirth Centre; it is also a tribute to the timeless Indian spiritual and cultural tradition that has guided humanity for millennia with the values of truth, compassion, service, and social harmony.

At the same time, the public release of the first complete Sanskrit verse translation of the Adi Shri Guru Granth Sahib marks a historic milestone in India’s cultural history. It stands as a proud symbol of the harmonious confluence of the eternal wisdom embodied in Gurbani and the classical heritage of Sanskrit.

On this occasion, I respectfully remember the revered Swami Rama Tirtha Ji. His life exemplified self-realization, self-confidence, self-upliftment, and universal brotherhood. He did not confine Vedanta to scriptures alone but transformed it into a practical philosophy for human life and public welfare. He firmly believed that the light of divinity resides within every human being.

Swami Rama Tirtha Ji used to say:

“Recognize the Divine within yourself, and the whole world will become your own.”

At a time when the world faces violence, intolerance, material competition, and a crisis of values, this message is more relevant than ever. Self-realization alone can become the foundation of a harmonious society and universal brotherhood.

For the past five decades, Ram Tirth Centre has been dedicated to taking these noble ideals to the people. The visionary leadership and cultural commitment of its founder, the late Acharya Dr. Kedarnath Prabhakar Ji, transformed this institution into an inspiring cultural movement. The Centre’s contribution to preserving and promoting Indian culture, practical Vedanta, Sanskrit, and spirituality is truly commendable. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire Ram Tirth Centre family on this glorious journey.

Friends,

The public release of this magnificent Sanskrit verse translation is a landmark achievement in the history of India’s knowledge tradition. It represents the beautiful confluence of the divine consciousness of Gurbani and the eternal stream of Sanskrit wisdom, and it will strengthen India’s cultural unity, spiritual dialogue, and national harmony.

I pay my humble tribute to the late Sahityacharya Jaynarayan Shastri ‘Yatri’ Ji, whose lifelong dedication and unwavering devotion to Sanskrit gave birth to this extraordinary work. After his passing, Acharya Sarveshwar Nath Prabhakar, Acharya Gangeshwar Nath Prabhakar, and Dr. Ama Prabhakar completed this monumental task with remarkable dedication, patience, and responsibility. Their efforts stand as an inspiring example of India’s Guru-Shishya tradition and the spirit of scholarly pursuit.

Friends,

The true strength of any nation lies not merely in its present but in its preserved knowledge traditions, cultural memories, and enduring values. Documentation safeguards the collective consciousness of civilization, while publication serves as an immortal bridge transmitting knowledge, values, and experience across generations. Through the Vedas, Upanishads, the literature of saints, and the Guru tradition, India’s ancient sages preserved this invaluable heritage, enabling the world to benefit from India’s philosophy, spirituality, and vision of life.

This monumental work is a powerful extension of that glorious tradition. It will become a lasting source of inspiration, study, and research for future generations. It is heartening that under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, India is moving forward with renewed energy towards the revival of its cultural heritage, Indian languages, and knowledge traditions. The harmonious integration of modern science with ancient wisdom will enable India to present to the world a model of humane, balanced, and value-based development.

The Adi Shri Guru Granth Sahib, whose first complete Sanskrit verse translation is being released today, is not merely the sacred scripture of the Sikh tradition but a spiritual beacon for all humanity. Illuminated by the divine teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and numerous other saints, it conveys the universal message of love, service, truth, compassion, and harmony. It inspires us to rise above the barriers of caste, creed, language, and region, and to embrace humanity as one family.

Our sages declared: “Sa Vidya Ya Vimuktaye”—true knowledge is that which liberates one from ignorance, ego, and narrow-mindedness. Likewise, the message of the Adi Shri Guru Granth Sahib inspires us to realize the divinity within ourselves, to recognize the presence of the Divine in every being, and to regard the entire human family as one. At a time when the world seeks peace, coexistence, and enduring human values, this divine message remains an eternal source of hope and guidance.

The immortal words of Gurbani, “Ek Pita Ekas Ke Hum Barik” (“We are all children of the One Father”), beautifully express the Indian ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family. Once we recognize ourselves as children of the same Supreme Father, there remains no place for division, hatred, or hostility. This is the true foundation of social harmony, national unity, and universal brotherhood.

Sanskrit is not merely a language; it is the soul of India’s timeless knowledge tradition. The Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, philosophical treatises, and countless classical works are preserved in this language. Therefore, the Sanskrit verse translation of the Adi Shri Guru Granth Sahib is a historic contribution that enriches India’s intellectual and cultural heritage. It will open new avenues for dialogue, research, and cultural integration among different spiritual traditions and further strengthen national unity.

I am pleased that Uttarakhand has established itself as one of the leading states in the country in preserving and promoting Sanskrit. Our continuous endeavour is to ensure that Sanskrit is not confined merely to rituals but becomes actively connected with education, research, innovation, and modern technology. When our ancient knowledge tradition is harmoniously integrated with modern science, India will be able to offer the world a balanced, humane, and value-based path of knowledge and development.

Dear Friends,

The strength of India’s spirituality lies not merely in preaching but in service, discipline, and righteous conduct. The Guru tradition taught us the path of service and remembrance of God. Lord Shri Ram established the ideal of righteousness; Lord Buddha spread the message of compassion; Adi Shankaracharya expounded the philosophy of Advaita; Swami Vivekananda inspired confidence and self-belief; and Swami Rama Tirtha spread the immortal message of universal brotherhood through self-realization. The essence of all these great teachings is that every individual should know oneself, live for society, and regard the welfare of humanity as one’s highest duty.

Our youth are the greatest strength of a developed India. If modern education is complemented by a strong foundation in Indian culture, spiritual traditions, and moral values, they will become not only successful professionals but also compassionate, responsible, and patriotic citizens. The integration of science and spirituality alone can build a society that is progressive while remaining humane and value-oriented. This will be the greatest strength in building a Developed India and a Developed Uttarakhand.

I sincerely wish that Ram Tirth Centre continues in the years ahead to serve as a source of inspiration for the preservation and promotion of Indian culture, Sanskrit, Vedanta, and spirituality. I am confident that this first complete Sanskrit verse translation of the Adi Shri Guru Granth Sahib will inspire the younger generation to undertake serious study of India’s spiritual literature and foster dialogue, goodwill, and national integration among diverse spiritual and cultural traditions.

Let us resolve on this sacred occasion that we shall not confine the teachings of our great spiritual leaders to books alone but embody them in our daily lives. Let us value human sentiments above language, humanity above differences of opinion, and harmony above division. This is the essence of Indian culture and the foundation of a developed, self-reliant, and noble India.

In conclusion, I pray to Almighty God to grant us the wisdom and strength to walk the path of truth, make service the foundation of our lives, uphold national interest above all else, and work tirelessly for the welfare of our nation, society, and all humanity.

May all be happy. May all be free from illness.
May all see what is auspicious.
May none suffer in any way.

With these heartfelt wishes, I conclude my address.

Vande Mataram!
Bharat Mata Ki Jai!
Jai Hind!