Seemingly overwhelmed with his maiden visit to the holy city Haridwar on assuming charge as the President, Ram Nath Kovind said on Saturday that Ganga, the rich traditions and the seers associated with it are the real identity of India and not the India Gate and the Red Fort. He paid obeisance to the river while being completely drenched as the rain lashed the city throughout the day. He was accompanied by the Governor, the Chief Minister and his family members. He arrived in the city by road from Delhi in view of the inclement weather.
While speaking volume of the service being rendered by the founder of Divya Prem Sewa Mission, Ashish Gautam from the stage at Sewa Kunj grounds below the fabled Chandi Ghat, the President said that the school, started around 20 years ago, has been catering to the children of the lepers. “Nearly 600 children from the slums based in Haridwar near the Neel Dhara are studying in Vande Matram Kunj started by Ashish Gautam,” he said. Invoking Swami Vivekananda, he said that the lofty principle of Nar Sewa hi Narayan Sewa (Service to man is service to God) the great sage embodies has been inspiring many to serve humanity in the spirit of serving the Divine.
Notably, 20 years ago, Ram Nath Kovind had donated Rs 25 lakh by way of helping a residential school to come up on Chilla Road. Since then he came thrice to Divya Prem Sewa Mission. He is the patron of the mission. “Coming here is like homecoming to me,” President said.
“I have not reached here by my political connections, but by the divine grace. Any Indian, inclined to serve the nation, can reach the place I am occupying now,” he said.
While pointing to the children present, he said that as they are inculcating the timeless sanskars they can become the President and Prime Minister of the country in their later years.
Calling Uttarakhand a blessed land, he said that it was associated with the origin of Ganga and the austerities performed by the sage Bhagirath. “The mega fairs like Kumbh Mela are being organised on the banks of Ganga since time immemorial,” he said. He also mentioned the esteemed institutions like IMA, FRI and IIT Roorkee that the State houses.
Earlier, Governor KK Paul said that the State was honoured to have the President here during the auspicious period of Navratras. Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat thanked the President for accepting his invitation to come to the State.
Kovind also met Acharya Bal Krishna of Patanjali Yog Peeth and showered appreciation on the institution rendering service to the nation.