25-08-2026 : Address by the Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand on the Occasion of the Launch of “Mukt Gyan Kosh” (Open Knowledge Repository).

Jai Hind!

It gives me immense pleasure to be among you today on the occasion of the launch of “Mukt Gyan Kosh” (Open Knowledge Repository). Wherever the light of knowledge reaches, new doors of opportunity open; and wherever opportunities reach, the process of transformation begins. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Vice-Chancellor Prof. Naveen Chandra Lohani ji and his entire team for this important initiative.

The true identity of a university is not defined by its buildings, but by its knowledge, research, ideas, and contribution to society. From this perspective, “Mukt Gyan Kosh” is not merely a digital platform; it is an important step towards transforming knowledge into a source of social empowerment and nation-building.

Our Indian knowledge tradition has always emphasized the expansion and sharing of knowledge. The Rig Veda says:

> “आ नो भद्राः क्रतवो यन्तु विश्वतः।”
“May noble thoughts come to us from all directions.”

This reflects the openness of our knowledge tradition—to learn, to share, and to continuously move forward. Today, modern technology gives us an opportunity to provide new strength to this great tradition.

For me, “Mukt Gyan Kosh” is an important initiative rooted in the spirit of “Nation First.” The purpose of education is not merely to obtain degrees or employment, but to create knowledgeable citizens, a value-based society, and a capable nation. When knowledge is connected with the national interest, the true purpose of education is fulfilled. Education empowers the individual, values make that individual responsible, and the spirit of Nation First gives direction to that knowledge.

Friends,

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, India’s education system is undergoing comprehensive and far-reaching transformation. The National Education Policy 2020 has provided a new direction by connecting education with multidisciplinary learning, research, innovation, technology, skills, the Indian knowledge tradition, and global opportunities. Initiatives such as “One Nation, One Subscription” are opening new avenues for students and researchers to access world-class research material.

This is part of the broader vision of making India a global force in knowledge, research, and innovation. Today, the goal of higher education is not merely to provide degrees to a larger number of students, but to connect them with research, innovation, skills, and global knowledge. India’s new educational vision is moving towards this comprehensive transformation.

“Mukt Gyan Kosh” can play an important role in connecting this national knowledge journey with the specific needs of Uttarakhand. Our state faces geographical challenges, and many of our students live in mountainous and remote areas. In such circumstances, making quality study material available digitally, from village to village and from home to home, is a powerful means of democratizing knowledge and ensuring equal opportunities.

This is not merely an effort to expand access to education; it is an effort to free talent from geographical limitations. To put it simply—there may be distances in the mountains, but there should be no distance in access to knowledge.

When knowledge reaches villages, new doors of opportunity open for talent to move forward. Our effort should be to ensure that young people in the hills can learn while remaining in their own communities, develop their skills, and create new opportunities locally. This is the direction in which education can become a means of empowerment and development.

The greatest strength of open education is that it frees learning from limitations of place, time, and circumstances. A young person can study alongside employment; a homemaker can complete an unfinished education; and anyone can acquire new knowledge at any stage of life. This is lifelong learning. May “Mukt Gyan Kosh” become a powerful means of accelerating this continuous journey of learning. Because a society that never stops learning can never stop progressing.

I am pleased that Uttarakhand Open University has implemented a policy for open educational resources and is working to make available through “Mukt Gyan Kosh” not only e-books, but also video lectures, research papers, research datasets, theses, project reports, podcasts, annual reports, university policies, SOPs, and other academic materials.

It is also commendable that the platform is working towards supporting 26 national and international languages. My expectation is that, in the coming years, adequate space will also be given to Uttarakhand’s local languages, indigenous knowledge, folk traditions, and cultural heritage.

I would like “Mukt Gyan Kosh” not merely to serve as a medium for bringing the world’s knowledge to Uttarakhand, but also as a means of taking Uttarakhand’s knowledge to the world.

The knowledge we possess regarding traditional Himalayan agriculture, water conservation, medicinal plants, traditional medicine, environmental protection, folk art, and community life is an invaluable heritage for future generations. It is our responsibility to document, preserve, and authenticate this knowledge. Our efforts should not be limited merely to preserving this heritage. Traditional forms of knowledge should also be studied through modern research and scientific approaches, so that our heritage does not remain merely a memory, but becomes a valuable knowledge resource for the new generation.

Distinguished scholars and colleagues,

Today, India is moving forward with the spirit of “Jai Anusandhan” (Hail Research). The true success of research lies in its ability to understand a problem faced by society, find solutions to it, and contribute to improving people’s lives. Research should not remain confined to laboratories and research papers; it should reach students, society, and policymakers. “Mukt Gyan Kosh” can accelerate this flow of knowledge. The research conducted in our universities will become truly meaningful when it moves beyond laboratories and contributes to solving real-world problems in fields, villages, industries, schools, and society.

I urge the teachers and researchers of the university to make this platform not merely a means of acquiring knowledge, but also a platform for sharing knowledge. The contribution of every teacher and researcher will enrich it further.

Today, we are living in the age of Artificial Intelligence. AI is not a substitute for knowledge; rather, it is a means of making access to, analysis of, and use of knowledge more effective. We need an education system that does not prepare a generation merely to compete with machines, but one that prepares a generation capable of using technology wisely. We must use AI not only to obtain answers, but also to ask better questions, discover new ideas, and develop solutions to problems. Technology can increase our speed, but it is our values that must determine our direction.

My young friends,

What you hold in your hands is not merely a mobile phone; it is a means of accessing the entire world of knowledge. Use it to build your knowledge, skills, and personality. Ask questions, learn, conduct research, and connect your knowledge with the service of society and the nation.

Being aware of one’s rights is a strength of democracy, but along with rights, we need duties; along with freedom, responsibility; and along with ideas, values and character. Change does not come through anger alone; it comes through knowledge, character, and positive resolve.

Remember: Knowledge will give you heights, but values will give those heights dignity.

I expect Uttarakhand Open University to develop “Mukt Gyan Kosh” into such a comprehensive, high-quality, and useful platform that other universities across the country may also regard it as a model worthy of emulation. May it become a national identity for Uttarakhand’s knowledge, research, and intellectual capabilities.

I envision a developed Uttarakhand where even a student in a remote village can access the finest knowledge; where our daughters and sons are not constrained by a lack of opportunities; and where our youth contribute to the development of the state and the nation through knowledge, research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

As access to knowledge increases, opportunities will increase. As opportunities increase, talent will emerge. And as talent advances, Uttarakhand’s journey of development will gain new momentum, further strengthening the power of India.

The building of a developed India will be achieved by knowledgeable, skilled, value-based, and responsible citizens. Therefore, every investment made in education is an investment in the future of the nation. Investment in knowledge strengthens the confidence of young people and accelerates the nation’s journey of development.

With this spirit, I extend my heartfelt best wishes to Uttarakhand Open University on the launch of “Mukt Gyan Kosh.” I warmly congratulate all the teachers, researchers, officers, employees, and members of the technical team associated with this initiative.

Let us resolve that we will not allow talent to be held back by a lack of opportunities; that we will connect technology with human values; and that we will take education beyond individual success and make it a force for nation-building.

Knowledge leads to strength, strength leads to service, and service leads to nation-building—this should be the true purpose of “Mukt Gyan Kosh.”

With this hope, expectation, and confidence, I conclude my address.

Vande Mataram!
Bharat Mata Ki Jai!
Jai Hind!