Guru Purnima to be celebrated as Maharshi Sandipani Shraddha Parva in Madhya Pradesh, says CM Mohan Yadav
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has said that gurus have always been revered and worthy of the highest respect. He said that a guru guides humanity from 'Gu' (the darkness of ignorance) to 'Ru' (the light of knowledge and wisdom). Guru Purnima is a sacred occasion to honour teachers, serve them and seek their blessings.
Dr. Yadav said addressed a review meeting on the preparations for the upcoming Guru Purnima celebrations at Committee Room No. 1 of the Madhya Pradesh Vidhansabha on Monday. He said that the ideals of India's ancient knowledge tradition and the Guru-Shishya tradition should be widely promoted in line with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
He announced that Guru Purnima would be celebrated across the State as 'Maharshi Sandipani Shraddha Parva'. The Chief Minister directed that active participation be ensured from the School Education, Tribal Affairs, Higher Education, Technical Education and Medical Education Departments, along with private educational institutions and institutions associated with sports, theatre, painting, music and other arts.
All Sandipani Schools to be inaugurated before Guru Purnima
CM noted that the State is currently observing Guru Purnima Fortnight and directed that all remaining Sandipani Schools be inaugurated before Guru Purnima. He said that Maharshi Sandipani was the revered guru of Yogeshwar Lord Shri Krishna and imparted education to students from all sections of society, irrespective of their economic background, while inspiring the spirit of patriotism. He also made a significant contribution to the development and organisation of the Gurukul education system.
Booklet on Maharshi Sandipani's Life and Contributions to be Published
CM Mohan Yadav directed officials to publish a 10–20-page booklet highlighting the life, ideals and contributions of Maharshi Sandipani, with special emphasis on his role in strengthening the Gurukul education system, and ensure its distribution to all schools.
CM further directed that Guru Pujan programmes be organised in all government and private schools as well as Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), with local public representatives invited to participate. He also instructed that during the annual Friendship Day celebrations in schools, students should be introduced to the inspiring life and friendship of Lord Shri Krishna and Sudama.
Guru Purnima to Become a Festival of Public Participation
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that celebrating Guru Purnima as 'Maharshi Sandipani Shraddha Parva' through dignified, large-scale events would inspire the younger generation to embrace the ideals of India's ancient knowledge tradition and the Guru-Shishya tradition. He said the celebration should become a festival of public participation, strengthening students' and youth's respect for their teachers and reinforcing their faith in India's cultural values.
The Chief Minister directed that, in addition to government schools and colleges, private schools, colleges and universities should also actively participate in the celebrations. He said Guru Purnima should evolve into a cultural and educational mass movement so that the message of the Guru-Shishya tradition reaches every section of society and is effectively passed on to future generations. The meeting also included detailed discussions on the event's framework, programme schedule and the responsibilities of various departments.
Educational institutions across the state will organise programmes
Additional Chief Secretary, General Administration, Culture and Tourism, Shri Sheo Shekhar Shukla informed that on Guru Purnima (29 July), educational institutions across the State would organise programmes beginning with floral tributes to the idol or portrait of Goddess Saraswati, followed by Saraswati Vandana, felicitation of teachers, lectures, student-teacher interactions, cultural performances and various competitions. He said that detailed guidelines are being issued to schools, colleges and universities across Madhya Pradesh for organising these activities.
Instructions have also been issued that literary and cultural programmes in all government and private educational institutions should be performed by students themselves. Efforts are also being made to ensure active participation of society in the celebrations of Guru Purnima and Maharshi Sandipani Shraddha Parva.