The flow of devotion and equality has always flowed in the soul of Indian society, and behind this is the guidance of our sages and saints, who always worked to give the right direction to the lives of all of us. Saint Shiromani Guru Ravidas was also one such saint who opposed external ostentation by calling the mind healed by calling it Ganga and described inner purity as the essence of religion. He had envisioned a state where there would be no sorrow, no discrimination, no discrimination.
His imagination was the seed of social revolution, which showed the path of dignity and self-respect to the society that had been marginalized for centuries. On the occasion of Guru Purnima on July 29, when the Yogi government of Uttar Pradesh is reaching the birthplace of Saint Ravidas and expressing gratitude towards him, it should be seen as a big resolution to carry forward the tradition of harmony.
Sense of equality and respect in power and society
Chief Minister on Guru Purnima Yogi Adityanath When saints reach the birthplace of Ravidas and pay obeisance, this scene will be a big symbol. When the highest administrative representative of the state bows down at the feet of the saint who is the voice of the most deprived sections of the society, he also gives the message that equality and respect are at the center of both power and society. On this day, the 650th birth anniversary of Saint Ravidas will be inaugurated grandly with the ritual worship of 131 Kalash.
These 131 Kalash will be sent to 98 places in Uttar Pradesh as well as 27 states and six zones of the country. This event shows that the message of Sant Ravidas is the common heritage of the entire nation. When the same stream of Kalash water reaches every corner of the country, it will become a stream of cultural unity beyond geographical boundaries.
Saint Ravidas was such a pioneer of social justice
Saint Ravidas, besides being a great saint of the Bhakti tradition, was a pioneer of social justice who in his time challenged the barriers of caste and varna due to which a large section of the society was deprived of the opportunity of education and respect. His philosophy said that for devotion to God, it is not birth or caste that matters, but purity of heart and sincerity of action. With the resolve to spread his messages to the common people, Samrasata Sankalp Sabha is being organized on Guru Purnima, in which about 25 thousand people will participate.
Apart from this, a series of various religious, social and cultural programs are being organized across the country from Guru Purnima to Maghi Purnima, so that the thoughts of Saint Ravidas can reach every section of the society, people of every age and every region. This is a long-term campaign, which will become a medium to awaken the consciousness of harmony. This effort of the Yogi government is a big step towards giving a permanent cultural and educational form to the memory of Saint Ravidas.
Avnish Tyagi (Senior Journalist and Political Analyst)
Construction of a grand and modern museum
In this sequence, the Yogi government is constructing a grand and state-of-the-art museum at the birthplace of Saint Ravidas, which will introduce the coming generations to his life, philosophy and teachings. This museum is being constructed in an area of approximately 1,645 square meters at a cost of Rs 2,320.73 lakh. This building will become a medium where future generations will be able to directly understand the life-struggle of Saint Ravidas, his speech and his social contribution.
This effort to convert history into a living experience rather than confining it to books is an excellent example of the coordination of education and culture. The overall rejuvenation of the birthplace of Saint Ravidas is also an important part of this effort. To promote religious tourism here, development works have been done at a cost of Rs 111.81 crore. These development works include modern langar hall, park, walking path and beautification at a cost of Rs 5.34 crore. The grand bronze statue of Saint Guru Ravidas Ji installed here is a center of faith and inspiration for the devotees.
Respect for history and tradition
The Yogi government’s efforts to carry forward the harmony-based ideas of Sant Ravidas are based on solid infrastructure and long-term vision. When a government invests such a huge sum and such a detailed plan in the development of the birthplace of a saint, it reflects respect for history and tradition. Facilities like langar halls, parks, pathways and museums ensure that devotees from all sections of the society, irrespective of economic or social background, can visit this holy place with equal comfort and respect. This is a practical reflection of the principle of equality of Saint Ravidas himself.
Today, when Uttar Pradesh is moving towards new heights of development, then it becomes necessary that we water our cultural and social roots equally strongly. Remembrance of great men like Saint Ravidas and spread of his thoughts is not only a reverence for the past but also a guideline for the future. Events like Samrasata Sankalp Sabha, in which thousands of people gather and take a pledge for social equality, give a strong message against the discrimination and inequality prevalent in the society. This resolution should be reflected in every sphere of life i.e. education, employment, social behavior and policy-making.
Gave direction to society through life and speech
Guru is not only a source of knowledge but also a guide who gives direction to life. Saint Ravidas, through his life and speech, gave a direction to the society which was based on equality, compassion and human dignity. The efforts of the Yogi government to give a grand look to his birthplace, to convey his ideas to future generations through a museum, and to celebrate his 650th birth anniversary on a nationwide level, are proof that the government wants to carry forward the legacy of the saints as a living movement. This effort also gives pride to that section of the society, which remained marginalized for centuries, and is now seeing the nation united in the memory of its great ancestor.
Saint Shiromani Ravidas had imagined a society where there would be no sorrow, no discrimination, no bondage of high and low, through Aisa Chahoon Raj Main, Jahan Milai Saban Koon Anna, Big and small, everyone lives equally. Yogi government is also working on the basis of this resolution formula, hence the ceremony organized on Gurupurnima in Seer Govardhanpur, the birthplace of Saint Ravidas, should be seen as an innovative effort to revive the inherent harmony of Indian society. When both power and society together keep the lamp of equality burning, it is not only a respect for the past but also a concrete step towards the future. (These are the personal views of the author.)
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