Hooda calls for revival of Vedic culture

Chandigarh, Nov 8 (UNI) Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today called for revival of Vedic culture, saying it was the religion of humanity without any element of casteism.

Mr Hooda, who was speaking at the concluding function of four-day 125th Balidan Samaroh of Mahrishi Dayanand Saraswati at Ajmer (Rajasthan), said that certain evil forces were trying to disintegrate the country on the basis of casteism and regilion.

Referring to the announcement made at the function by noted Yoga Guru Swami Ram Dev to start a new TV channel from the next year to promote ancient Vedic culture, the Chief Minister said that now he saw a bright future for Indian society.

Desccribing Mahrishi Dayanand Sarswati as a great social reformer and a visionary, he said the Maharishi stood for gender equality and education of women. Today, these issues were being raised globally.

Mr Hooda lauded the significant role played by followers of Arya Samaj, especially Lala Lajpat Rai and Madan Lal Dhingra in the freedom struggle.

Mr Hooda hoped that the 125th Balidan Samaroh of Mahrishi Dayanand Saraswati would serve as a clarion call to rejuvenate the Vedic culture.

Paying rich tributes to Mahrishi Dayanand Sarswati, Yoga Guru Swami Ram Dev said that both the life and death of Maharishi Dayanand gave us lessons. Maharishi Dayanandji's philosophy had united the country and "we are proud to be his followers." He announced to start a TV channel from the next year to promote Vedic culture. He said that people of all religions living in India were basically Indians and did not come from abroad. "We had common ancestors and we all had one religion, the vedic religion", he said.

Dr Ram Prakash, MP, described Maharishi Dayanand as a great revolutionary and a man of farsightedness. He said that Swamiji had long ago raised voice against female foeticide and encouraged education of women.

The Chief Minister released a book titled as "Shrimad Dayanand Prakash" written by Swami Satya Nand and got printed by Swami Sampurna Nand.

Mr Hooda was presented with four Vedas and an 'Abhinandan Patra' on the occasion. Swami Ram Dev presented him with a memento.

Swami Ram Dev also presented a memento to Dr Ram Prakash.

Later the Chief Minister went around an exhibition displaying various items, including printing machine, used by Maharishi Dayanand.

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