Across India on December 25th, citizens and institutions are commemorating the 164th birth anniversary of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, the revered educationist, freedom fighter, and founder of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
This year's Jayanti is marked by official tributes and cultural events that reflect on his enduring vision for a self-reliant and educated India.
A Legacy Remembered in Ghazipur and Varanasi
Commemorations began ahead of the Jayanti, with Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha attending a special function in Ghazipur honoring both Malaviya and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In his address, the LG highlighted Malaviya's role as a "main architect" of modern education and industrial development in India.
He described "Mahamana"—a title given to Malaviya by Mahatma Gandhi—as an independent thinker determined to change the nation's fate by empowering its youth. The LG noted that Malaviya's 20th-century vision for self-reliance, technical education, and women's education was fundamentally aimed at building an "Atma-Nirbhar Bharat".
Concurrently, in Varanasi—the home of BHU—a special photo exhibition titled 'Mahamana, A Multidimensional Personality: Time and Struggle' is on display at the Malaviya Mulya Anusheelan Kendra.
The exhibition, open until January 3rd, is part of the university's birth anniversary celebrations and showcases the multifaceted life of its founder.
The Timeless Relevance of a "Karmayogi"
Why does the legacy of a leader born in 1861 resonate so powerfully today? Malaviya was not just an educationist but a social reformer and unifying force.
He was a four-time president of the Indian National Congress and played a crucial role in the freedom struggle, even participating in Mahatma Gandhi's Salt Satyagraha.
His contributions extend far beyond the establishment of BHU in 1916. He was instrumental in:
Ending the exploitative Indian indenture system in the Caribbean.
Advocating for Hindu-Muslim unity through powerful speeches on communal harmony.
Popularizing the national motto "Satyamev Jayate" (Truth Alone Triumphs), which originates from the Mundaka Upanishad.
Pioneering journalism in Hindi, founding publications like Abhyudaya and Maryada.
A staunch critic of caste discrimination, his progressive views were so strong that he was expelled from his own Brahmin community. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan aptly called him a "Karmayogi," a spiritual stalwart dedicated to action.
A Blueprint for a "Viksit Bharat"
The contemporary significance of Malaviya Jayanti lies in applying his principles to modern challenges. At the Ghazipur event, the LG articulated this connection, stating that following Malaviya's ideals is essential to "build a strong and prosperous India" and achieve the goal of a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) by 2047.
Malaviya’s core mantras were "devotion to God through right conduct" and "service to the nation with total dedication". In today's context, this translates to a commitment to ethical nation-building, inclusive growth, and educational empowerment.
As India celebrates this Jayanti, the tributes to Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya move beyond mere remembrance. They serve as a yearly reaffirmation of the values he championed—education as liberation, unity in diversity, and service to the nation—providing a timeless blueprint for India's continued journey toward becoming a self-reliant knowledge power.
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