07-07-2026 : Address by the Hon’ble Governor on the Occasion of the Release of the Books Absolute Intelligence and Pragya.

Jai Hind!

I extend my heartfelt welcome and greetings to the revered saints, distinguished guests, eminent scholars, academicians, young friends, and all enlightened citizens present in the auditorium of Lok Bhavan for this august occasion.

Today is not merely the occasion of the release of the books Absolute Intelligence: Don’t Search, Find and its Hindi translation, Pragya – Don’t Search, Find Solutions. It is also an opportunity to reaffirm the timeless Indian knowledge tradition, which has, for centuries, taught humanity that the highest purpose of knowledge is not merely the accumulation of information, but self-realization, wisdom, and the welfare of society.

The eternal message of the Indian Upanishads—”Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya” (“Lead me from darkness to light”)—inspires us to move from ignorance to knowledge, from limited perception to higher consciousness, and from illusion to truth. This philosophy forms the foundation of these books, where intelligence is viewed not merely as technological capability, but as something that must be balanced by Pragya—true wisdom.

As I dedicate these books to all of you today, my own journey of public service naturally comes to mind. It has been my great privilege to serve as the longest-serving Governor of Uttarakhand. The affection of the people of Devbhoomi, the unwavering support of the State Government, and the trust of every section of society have been the greatest strengths and the most valuable assets of this journey.

I express my heartfelt gratitude to this sacred land and reaffirm my unwavering commitment to the progress, cultural heritage, and welfare of the people of Uttarakhand.

Friends,

Today, the world has entered a new era of Artificial Intelligence. Science and technology are advancing at an unprecedented pace. Machines are learning, assisting in decision-making, and influencing nearly every aspect of human life. At such a time, the most important question is not how intelligent machines will become, but how human beings will choose to use their own intelligence.

In my view, intelligence becomes truly meaningful only when it is guided by wisdom. In Indian philosophy, Pragya is not merely knowledge; it is the harmonious integration of discernment, compassion, ethics, and responsibility. It is this wisdom that teaches us not only what is possible, but also what is right and what truly serves humanity.

I firmly believe that technology can never become a substitute for humanity. Its purpose is not to govern human beings, but to make life safer, simpler, more prosperous, and more meaningful. Only when science is guided by spirituality, innovation by ethics, and intelligence by wisdom can human civilization achieve balanced and sustainable progress. This is the central message of these books.

The purpose of writing these books was not to introduce a new theory, but to share life experiences that taught me an enduring lesson: every challenge carries within it the seed of its own solution. What we need is a perspective that believes not in problems, but in solutions. This conviction is expressed through a simple principle: “Don’t Search, Find Solutions.”

Today’s New India possesses the world’s largest youth population, a rapidly growing digital economy, and a rich cultural heritage. If our scientific excellence is combined with the ideals of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family), compassion, harmony, and the welfare of all, India can emerge not only as a global technological powerhouse but also as a leader in promoting ethical, responsible, and human-centric Artificial Intelligence.

Friends,

Serving the nation in the Indian Army for nearly four decades has been the greatest discipline and privilege of my life. It was there that I learned that true leadership is founded not on position, but on duty, discipline, courage, and unwavering devotion to the nation. These principles later became the foundation of my public life and the intellectual inspiration behind this book.

The greatest strength of any nation lies not merely in its resources, but in the character, discipline, and commitment of its citizens. Every moment spent guarding our borders teaches us that adversity tests the resolve of both individuals and nations. When leadership is clear, the objective is public welfare, and the spirit of “Nation First” guides every action, no challenge remains insurmountable.

When I had the privilege of serving the people of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, I always believed that Raj Bhavan should be more than an administrative institution—it should serve as a centre of inspiration for society. Guided by this vision, we consistently promoted education, research, innovation, youth leadership, the welfare of soldiers and veterans, environmental conservation, de-addiction initiatives, women’s empowerment, and public participation.

Upon assuming the office of Governor, I adopted five key missions as guiding principles for the comprehensive and sustainable development of Uttarakhand: women’s empowerment and the welfare of the girl child; reverse migration and employment generation; promotion of organic farming; advancement of yoga, Ayurveda, and wellness; and the extensive use of modern technology across all sectors. I am pleased that the State has made steady progress in each of these areas and today stands confidently as a model of development, innovation, and public participation.

Meaningful efforts have also been made toward the effective implementation of the National Education Policy 2020, fostering a culture of research in universities, promoting startups and innovation, enhancing youth skills, honouring ex-servicemen, and maintaining continuous dialogue with different sections of society. I have always believed that the purpose of education is not merely to create employment opportunities, but to nurture responsible, compassionate, and nation-oriented citizens who will actively contribute to building a developed India.

Today, Uttarakhand is making remarkable progress in infrastructure development, Char Dham connectivity projects, rail and road networks, digital governance, investment, tourism, healthcare, education, women’s empowerment, border area development, and the startup ecosystem. These achievements are not the work of any single individual or institution, but the result of the collective efforts of the hardworking people of the State, public representatives, administrators, and all stakeholders.

For me, Absolute Intelligence and Pragya do not represent the conclusion of a journey but the beginning of an ongoing intellectual exploration. I hope that every reader pauses to ask a few simple yet profound questions: Am I merely acquiring information, or am I also cultivating wisdom and discernment within myself? I believe that genuine transformation begins the moment we start asking ourselves such questions.

My young friends,

I wish to tell you that the twenty-first century has the potential to become India’s century, and our youth will be its greatest architects. Embrace every opportunity offered by modern science, Artificial Intelligence, digital technology, and innovation with confidence. At the same time, never lose sight of your culture, your values, and your national identity. Knowledge will empower you, skills will make you self-reliant, but wisdom alone will make you responsible citizens, compassionate leaders, and truly noble human beings.

Former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam often said that great dreams are seen by those who have the courage to realize them. Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the national resolve of Viksit Bharat 2047 is one such great dream. We must ensure that every advancement in science and technology remains firmly rooted in human dignity, social justice, and the welfare of society. This is the uniqueness of Indian thought, and it is also the central message of these books.

In conclusion, I express my sincere gratitude to the co-author, Professor Arun Tiwari, the Hindi translator, Shri Paritosh Bangwal, the publishers, and everyone associated with the publication of these books and the organization of today’s distinguished event. I am confident that Absolute Intelligence and Pragya will serve as enduring sources of inspiration for leadership, policymaking, good governance, education, nation-building, and the welfare of humanity.

On this auspicious occasion, let us collectively resolve to build an India and an Uttarakhand where science and spirituality complement one another; where innovation is guided by ethics; where development progresses in harmony with nature; and where the ultimate purpose of progress is the dignity of every individual, the upliftment of society, and the glory of the nation.

Let us pledge to unite knowledge with wisdom, science with humanity, strength with service, and progress with morality, thereby contributing actively to the realization of a Developed Uttarakhand and a Developed India. This is the essence of these books, the timeless message of India’s eternal civilizational philosophy, and the strongest foundation for a brighter future.

With these best wishes, I once again thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Jai Hind! Jai Uttarakhand!