Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith born out of non-cooperation movement: President Droupadi Murmu

NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu addressed the students of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith on its 45th convocation ceremony. The President said Kashi Vidyapith, which was born out of the non-cooperation movement, is a living symbol of our great freedom struggle.

She said all students of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith are the flag bearers of our national ideals of the freedom struggle. The association of two Bharat Ratna awardees – former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri and educationist Bhagwan Das – with the institution is a proof of the glorious heritage of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith.

“Bharat Ratna awardee Bhagwan Das was the first vice-chancellor of Kashi Vidyapith and former Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri was the student of the first batch of this institution. It is expected from the students of this institution that they should adopt the life values of Shastri ji in their conduct,” Murmu added.

Talking about the journey of the institution, the President said Kashi Vidyapith was set up 26 years before the Independence with the goals of self-reliance and Swaraj as envisioned by Gandhiji. The President said that the intention behind naming the Kashi Vidyapith, as Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, is to express respect for the ideals of our freedom struggle. Following those ideals and making an effective contribution to the progress of the country during the ‘Amrit Kaal’ will be a true tribute to the nation-building founders of the Vidyapith.

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The President said Varanasi has been the centre of Indian knowledge tradition since ancient times. Even today, the institutions in this city are contributing in the promotion of modern knowledge and science. She urged students and teachers of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith to continue enriching the glory of their institution in keeping with the tradition of the centre of knowledge.