14-09-2026 : Address by the Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand at the Book Launch Ceremony of “Yatra From Sorrow to Bliss”.
Revered saints and spiritual leaders seated on the dais, Dr. Krishna Avtar Ji, distinguished guests, eminent scholars from the fields of medicine and education, lovers of literature, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen—
My respectful greetings to you all.
Today is a special occasion in many ways. It is the auspicious festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. It is Hindi Diwas. And here, at Lok Bhavan today, we are launching a book that engages with one of the deepest questions of human existence—What is suffering, and how does one journey from suffering towards bliss?
I believe this is not merely a coincidence, but a beautiful sign.
I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Krishna Avtar Ji for this meaningful and thought-provoking work. As a senior neurologist, he has spent more than three decades witnessing human suffering from very close quarters. He has not merely studied suffering in books; he has experienced it beside the patient’s bedside, in the eyes of the patient, and in the anxiety and anguish of the family.
The launch of this book on Hindi Diwas is particularly significant because it demonstrates the immense capacity of the Hindi language. When a substantial work of nearly five hundred pages on subjects connected with medicine, science, philosophy and human experience is written in Hindi, it establishes that Hindi is not merely a language of expression—it is equally a language of knowledge, science, reflection and philosophy.
The effort to make these ideas accessible to a wider readership through the English edition is equally commendable.
Friends,
The very title of this book—“Yatra: From Sorrow to Bliss”—is, in itself, a philosophy.
We all wish to escape suffering. Yet, it is impossible to completely avoid suffering in life.
The real question is not whether suffering will come into our lives. The real question is:
Will suffering break us, or will it make us stronger from within?
The central thought of this book is profound:
«“Suffering is not your enemy. It is a call from the bliss that has always existed within you.”»
If we see suffering as an enemy, we will spend our lives fighting against life itself. But if we try to understand it, the same experience can inspire us to look within and discover something deeper about ourselves.
My years in the military taught me that difficult circumstances are not always within our control. But our morale, our patience and our resolve in the face of those circumstances are very much within our hands.
Life teaches us the same lesson.
We cannot always avoid challenges, but our attitude towards them and our courage in facing them remain within our control.
Therefore, maintaining balance between happiness and sorrow is not a sign of weakness. It is a manifestation of inner strength.
The Bhagavad Gita beautifully expresses this ideal of equanimity. Lord Krishna says:
«“He whom these cannot disturb, who remains balanced in happiness and sorrow, that steadfast person is worthy of immortality.”»
The essence is simple yet profound—equanimity is inner strength.
Our Indian wisdom traditions have always acknowledged suffering as an undeniable truth of human life and have shown us the path to rise above it.
In the Guru Granth Sahib, Guru Nanak Dev Ji says:
«“Nanak, the whole world is suffering.”»
The message is not one of despair. Rather, it reminds us that suffering is a part of the human journey. Therefore, instead of running away from it, we must seek to understand it and learn from it.
And this, I believe, is at the heart of this book:
To understand suffering and, through that understanding, move towards bliss.
Dr. Krishna Avtar Ji has attempted to bring together his experience of medical science and his engagement with spirituality. This book seeks to explore the path from suffering to bliss through the combined light of scripture, science and lived experience.
I would especially like to say something to young doctors and medical students:
«“Treating a disease is science; treating a patient is an art.”»
Before you is not merely a disease. Before you is an entire human life.
There is a family’s hope. There are dreams, fears, relationships and aspirations.
Therefore, medicine requires not only knowledge, but also compassion.
Science gives us the power to heal; sensitivity and compassion make that healing truly human.
Today, science and technology are advancing at an extraordinary pace. Neuroscience is opening new frontiers and creating possibilities that were once unimaginable.
But we must never forget that technology may assist healing—it can never replace human compassion.
Friends,
The fact that this work has emerged from the land of Uttarakhand is also a matter of special pride for us.
This is the land from where the Ganga and Yamuna emerge. It is the sacred land of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. It is also home to the sacred Sikh traditions represented by Hemkunt Sahib, Nanakmatta and Reetha Sahib.
Swami Vivekananda, Swami Ram Tirth and numerous saints and spiritual masters have undertaken their spiritual journeys and practices on this sacred land.
Therefore, Uttarakhand must not be known merely as a land of tourism. It should also be recognised as a land of reflection, yoga, spirituality and self-realisation.
I firmly believe that along with development, the expansion of knowledge and deeper reflection are equally essential.
Works such as this strengthen that very identity of Uttarakhand.
I also extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the distinguished personalities who are being honoured today with the “Yatra Srijan Samman 2026.”
Behind every great creation are countless helping hands that may never be visible in the spotlight.
To honour them is to honour that collective journey of dedication and creative endeavour.
Dr. Krishna Avtar Ji,
As a physician, you have devoted your life to saving lives.
Now, as an author, you are making an equally meaningful effort—to understand life and give it a new direction.
My sincere wish is that this book does not merely become an ornament on library shelves.
May it reach the person who is passing through illness, failure, loneliness or deep sorrow.
May it give that person a simple but powerful assurance:
Sorrow is not the final destination. Difficulty is not the end of life. Even within darkness, there is a path towards light.
Let us, therefore, make a resolve today:
We will not run away from suffering—we will seek to understand it.
We will not allow difficulties to break us—we will learn from them.
We will embrace science, but keep compassion by our side.
And we will never allow the light within us to be extinguished.
This is the journey of life—
From sorrow to bliss.
From despair to hope.
From darkness to light.
And from the external world to the discovery of our own inner self.
On this auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, I pray that Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, removes every obstacle from the journey of this book and enables this meaningful creation to reach people across society.
Once again, my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Dr. Krishna Avtar Ji for this significant and thoughtful work.
My warmest greetings to you all on Hindi Diwas.
Jai Hind!
Jai Uttarakhand!