Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 16: The Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, Prof Umesh Rai has announced the establishment of Maharishi Aurobindo Gyan Kendra within the Dhanvantari Library.
The announcement assumes significance as it not only honors India’s hard-won freedom but also celebrates the life and teachings of one of the nation’s most profound thinkers and freedom fighters.
Highlighting the importance of Kendra, Prof Rai said: “As we commemorate the birth of our nation and the legacy of Maharishi Aurobindo, who played a crucial role in India’s independence, we are also laying the foundation for a centre that will empower our students with knowledge that transcends conventional education.”
The Maharishi Aurobindo Gyan Kendra will be dedicated to exploring the life, philosophy, and teachings of Maharishi Aurobindo, a revered philosopher and a national leader, who was instrumental in India’s struggle for freedom. The great philosopher significantly influenced the independence movement through his writings in newspapers such as ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Karmayogin’, where he advocated for self-governance and inspired a generation of revolutionaries.
The Gyan Kendra will serve as a beacon for holistic education, embodying Maharishi Aurobindo’s belief in integral education that encompasses intellectual, moral, and spiritual growth. The Kendra will house a vast collection of literature on Aurobindo’s thoughts, as well as the works of other prominent India’s iconic thinkers, leaders and visionaries offering students and scholars a deep well of knowledge to draw from.
In addition to being a repository of intellectual resources, the Gyan Kendra will also organize various activities, exhibitions, and programs throughout the year, providing students with opportunities to deeply engage with Aurobindo’s vision of personal and societal transformation. These events will provide a platform for students to engage with the ideals and legacies of India’s most influential and visionary minds.
Maharishi Aurobindo’s teachings on the evolution of the mind toward supramental consciousness will be a central theme of the Kendra’s programs. Students will be encouraged to explore their potential, integrating the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of their lives, and contributing to the creation of a just and harmonious society-an aspiration that Aurobindo envisioned for a liberated India.