Kakinada: President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday stressed on the need for preserving the Vedas in their pristine form as they were the source of our heritage, culture and were the foundation of our value system.
Mr Mukherjee inaugurated the Vedic School at AI-Bhimavaram village in Akiveedu mandal of West Godavari district on Friday with Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan and AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Mr Mukherjee said that Unesco had recognised the Vedas as oral heritage. He said that the ideas enshrined in the Vedas were limited not only to the welfare of the individual, society and the nation, but manifested a spirit of universal brotherhood.
He said the traditional Indian philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutum-bakam” beautifully captured the essence of our global outlook.
The President added that in ancient times all vidyas were taught in residential universities or gurukuls like Takshas-hila, Vikaramshila and Odantapuri, the remains of which have been found.
“They were very famous throughout the world, particularly in China and South East Asian countries. In all these universities, 14 vidyas were taught. In AP too, we had many education centres along the Godavari and Krishna like Nagarjuna Konda, Amaravati and others where many foreign students would come for higher education.
“Vedapatasalas of the Tirumala Tirupati Devas-thanams remind us of those great learning centers established by gurus and sages,” he said, adding the true message of the Vedas could only be availed if they were interpreted correctly.
“In fact the old Indian tradition of Vedic teachings was primarily oral and it was based upon the bedrock of “guru-shishya parampara”. Under the system, the authentic and correct interpretation of Vedic literature was handed down from the guru to his shishyas from one generation to the other. Over time this system has weaned,” he said.
Mr Mukherjee said that initiatives like Vedapata-salas acquire great significance because they can provide an institutional framework for dissemination of Vedic knowledge. He lauded the services of the TTD to promote Vedas, support to over 1,000 Vedic scholars by providing them with financial assistance and also for financially assisting 100 Vedic schools spread across the country. He said that the Vedic School at AI-Bhimavaram would emerge as a reputed centre for learning and a seat of our traditional Vedic knowledge.
Tired Ashok Gajapathi Raju walks out of venue
Union civil aviation minister P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju walked out of the VIP gallery after waiting a while for the arrival of President Pranab Mukherjee at AI-Bhimavaram.
Waiting along with Eluru MP Maganti Venkateswara Rao (Babu), former TTD chairman Kanumuri Bapiraju and others, the minister felt drowsy. Photographers swarmed to take his pictures.
The minister said he was upset and walked away. Bapiraju and Venkateswara Rao tried to persuade him to stay on, but in vain. Sources said Gajapathi Raju called security officials and told them that there was no discipline in the galleries.
The minister later next made an appearance, just before the function began. He was seen on the dais with the President and Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.
President offers prayers at tirumala temples
President Pranab Mukherjee offered prayers at the Tirumala temple of Lord Venkateswara on Friday evening seeking blessings of the universal deity for welfare of the entire humanity. He was accompanied by Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan and AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Clad in traditional dress as per the custom of the temple, the President had darshan of Lord Venkateswara. TTD chairman Ch. Krishnamurthy, TTD executive officer Dr D. Sambasiva Rao and others welcomed him amidst the Vedic chants by temple priests and mangala vadyams with Isthikaphal Swagatham.
Dr A.V. Ramana Deekshitulu, one of the chief priests, explained to the President the importance of the presiding deity, ornaments, the different idols in the Sannidhi and the importance of the Tirumala temple. After darshan, the President was given teertham and Melchat Seshavastram and was extended the Satari honours.
The President later had darshan of the smaller shrines including Vakulamata, Vimana Venkateswara, Bhas-hyakarulu, Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy and made the offerings in Srivari Hundi. Earlier, the President visited Sri Bhu Varaha Swamy temple following the temple tradition which is in vogue since several centuries.
The President landed in Renigunta airport at 2.25 pm and returned at 6.20 pm after offering prayers in Tirumala. He took an hour’s rest at Padmavathi Guesthouse in Tirumala and went to temple at 4.25 pm in a battery operated car.
TTD officials had cancelled darshan for physically handicapped and aged person on Friday in view of the visit. Darshan for devotees waiting in the queue.
Pranab to open Pylon on December 29 in Anantapur
President Pranab Mukherjee is scheduled to visit Anantapur on December 29. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu would accompany the President. The President is scheduled to inaugurate the Neeru Chettu pylon at Srinagar Colony in Anantapur Municipal Corporation.
Live models of the Pattiseema, Handri Neeva, Galeru Nagari and Totapalli irrigation projects would exhibited at the venue for the President. Rain guns, drip irrigation models would also be placed in the exhibition.
Joint collector B. Lakshmikantham revie-wed over the arrangements for the Presidents’ visit. He inspected the venue at Srinagar Colony here on Friday. SP S.V. Rajasekhar Babu said that elaborate security arrangements were being made for the visit.
Download the all new Deccan Chronicle app for Android and iOS to stay up-to-date with latest headlines and news stories in politics, entertainment, sports, technology, business and much more from India and around the world.
