SHIVAMOGGA: Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy said efforts will be made to include Bhagavad Gita in the curriculum of schools, colleges and universities, and it will be discussed with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He was speaking at the Bhagavad Gita Abhiyana Mahasamarpane programme here on Sunday.
Former deputy chief minister K S Eshwarappa appealed to Kumaraswamy to include Bhagavad Gita in textbooks and the latter promised to initiate steps in the coming days.
Kumaraswamy said the Ramayana and Mahabharata should be taught to schoolchildren to guide them on the right path. “Teaching Bhagavad Gita to children is the need of the hour, as violence, unlawful acts and unrest in society have become a daily affair. Bhagavad Gita is a guiding light for the current generation to keep peace in society. Everyone should inculcate the values of Bhagavad Gita,” he added.
Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar said the Bhagavad Gita Abhiyana should be expanded across the nation as it will give a platform for everyone to learn and adopt the values of Bhagavad Gita. “For all Indians, it is a matter of pride that Bhagavad Gita originated in India, yet its recitation has been done across the world. It is a work filled with values and lessons for life which is applicable for all generations and for all ages. It has many key solutions and people should inculcate values from it. Lord Krishna taught Bhagavad Gita to the entire world, not only for the situation at Kurukshetra,” he added.
Gangadharendra Saraswati, pontiff of Srimad Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sonda Swarnavalli Mahasamsthana, Sonda, said when Bhagavad Gita is taught at a young age, it will help in controlling the crime rate. “The prime motto of the campaign is to build communal harmony. It brings about national integrity and is a guiding light for educated youth of the country. Children who are taught Bhagavad Gita will be like guiding lights to the nation,” he added.
Former CM B S Yediyurappa said one must study Bhagavad Gita to know the values and lessons of life. It has solutions for all problems of life. It teaches that one should not run away from facing problems, but should face them with courage, confidence and strength. For a healthy society, Bhagavad Gita is very essential, he added.
Shri Adi Shankaracharya Sharada Lakshminarasimha Peeta, Hariharapura pontiff, Swayamprakasha Sacchidananda Saraswathi seer, Nadamayanandanatha seer of Adichunchanagiri Mutt, Shivamogga, and pontiff of Bekkinkalmutt Mallikarjuna Murugharajendra, MP B Y Raghavendra, MLC D S Arun and others were present.