President of India to celebrate Swami Dayanand's 200th birth anniversary

The president of India, Droupadi Murmu will be attending a ceremony on February 12 hosted by the Arya Samaj, to celebrate the 200th birth anniversary of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, the organisation's founder, at his native place in Tankara within the Morbi district of Gujarat, the organisers said on Sunday (4).

Murmu will be the chief guest at the event on February 12 and address the Arya Samaj members who will gather in a large number from all over the world for the celebration to be organised from February 10 to 12, said a release by a committee organising the event.

Prime minister Narendra Modi will virtually address the event on February 11, it said.

Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and chief minister Bhupendra Patel will attend the inaugural event on February 10, while union home minister Amit Shah will attend the event on February 11, the release said.

"The event is set to attract a remarkable assembly of more than two lakh Arya Samaj members worldwide, representing the impact of the profound teachings of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati," it said.

Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati was born in Tankara on February 12, 1824, and devoted his entire life pursuing Vedic knowledge and cultural heritage.

Through his ideas and messages, he motivated the society towards prosperity, freedom and equality.

"Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati's birth anniversary is of historical and philosophical significance, as it commemorates the establishment of the reform movement in India and his ardent advocacy for the Vedas and Vedic culture," the release said.

In February 2023, Modi officiated the year-long celebrations commemorating the 200th birth year of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, and the upcoming event will serve as the pinnacle of these exuberant festivities, it said.

Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati's 200th birth anniversary presents a significant occasion to reflect upon his concepts and pay tribute to his immeasurable contributions, it added.

(PTI)