Latest news with #Upanishads
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Hi-tech makeover for 161-year-old Prayagraj Public Library
As part of the initiatives undertaken under the Prayagraj Smart City project to turn the city smart in different phases, the Government Public Library, having historical importance of holding the first meeting of the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Province on January 08, 1887, has now turned hi-tech. Having over 1.25 lakh books, rare manuscripts and bound volumes of newspapers including around 500 books as old as 400 to 500 years, the monitoring and functioning of the library is being done through a customised Library Management Software. According to librarian Dr Gopal Mohan Shukla, the Public Library is the largest in the state as it is the lone library present in Category 5 in UP. 'As per government norms, libraries are classified into five categories based on several parameters including the count of collection of books and manuscripts, daily average footfalls, count of registered members, maximum seating capacity at any given time, annual budgetary allocation, etc.,' he said. The Government Public Library, having a rich collection of nearly 150 manuscripts and famous original works right from the Mughal period, including the Shahnama, a long epic poem written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi, and the Persian translation of Upanishads by Dara Shikoh, etc., is the lone member classified in Category 5 in UP, he added. Presently, over 1.25 lakh books including nearly 500 books as old as 400 to 500 years are being monitored and controlled through a Library Management Software. The books and manuscripts have been barcoded to facilitate their monitoring. Along with this, the IT team of Smart City has also created the library's website — — for the convenience of readers. As per the Manager (IT) of Prayagraj Smart City Project, Mani Shanker Tripathi, the automation of the Government Public Library was done through a budgetary allocation of around ₹2.25 crore, including placement of 22 CCTV cameras in different locations of the library. The 161-year-old library, established in 1864 during the British rule with the approval of the then Lieutenant Governor Sir William Muir in Alfred Park (now known as Chandra Shekhar Azad Park), also has bound volumes of gazettes including: Gazette of India (1900 to 1953), North-Western Provinces Gazette (1860 to 1902), United Provinces Gazette (1903 to 1951), and Uttar Pradesh Gazette (1951 to 2000), besides bound volumes of newspapers as old as The Pioneer of 1864, Bharatvarsh (Bangla) from 1924 to 1969, Punch Magazine from 1925 to 1974, The Round Table from 1910 to 1974, Spectator from 1938 to 1973, Economist from 1948 to 1974, etc. Presently, the library has over 3,000 registered members besides a staff strength of 26.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Mahalakshmi's qualities
When we look for precedents for any spiritual or religious observation, we look into the Itihasas and Puranas. But above all stand the Vedas. The Vedas are the ultimate authority when it comes to seeking validation for any philosophical statement. Sri Guna Ratna Kosam of Parasara Bhattar gives us Goddess Mahalakshmi's qualities. The Vedas are the source of this work, because all Her auspicious qualities find a place in the Vedas, said T.A.K. Srinivasacharya in a discourse. So, Parasara Bhattar speaks with the authority of the Vedas when he elaborates on Her kalyana gunas. Parasara Bhattar is following the path shown by sages like Vyasa, when he praises Mahalakshmi's gem-like qualities. Those who have earned Her blessings are fortunate, and those who have not are fools who misinterpret the Vedas and do not grasp its import. To envision Her innumerable qualities, one needs the special collyrium of bhakti. Mahalakshmi is the Goddess of the universe. It is not just the Upanishads that declare the greatness of Mahalakshmi. The Itihasas too extol Her. Even if everything that is good and auspicious in this world is put together, it will not equal even a small fraction of Mahalakshmi's wonderful qualities. You find a fortunate man seated on an elephant, beneath a pearl-studded umbrella. At the same time, you also see a poor man, dressed in worn-out and torn clothes. The reason for the difference in status of the two men is that while the former received the glances of the Goddess, the latter did not. Prosperity comes to a man only with Her grace.
Hans India
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
SPIC MACAY is a movement portraying Indian cultural strength, says Governor
Hyderabad: Governor Jishnu Dev Varma said SPIC MACAY (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth) is a movement, 'portraying our culture that is growing from strength to strength bringing out the Sanskriti (Soul of the nation) as a collective consciousness through which the nation was once formed through thinkers, philosophers and, through the teaching of the Vedas and Upanishads.' Inaugurating the 10th International Convention of SPIC MACAY at IIT Hyderabad late on Monday evening, he said, 'Dharma is the way we think and religion is the way we worship, and do not be confused with their representations'. Sharing his experience with SPIC MACAY, he expressed his happiness over the dance form of Tripura – 'Hojagiri' being preserved, including it as one of the art forms to be performed at the 10th International Convention being held at IIT Hyderabad, and more so when he is representing the beautiful state of Telangana during his tenure as the Governor. He said that Hindustani music was popular in Tripura during the Maharaja's times, which is being revived through SPIC MACAY. He recollected his visits as the guest of honour to the previous international conventions of SPIC MACAY held in Delhi, Kharagpur and Nagpur and that he has been and continues to be a member of SPIC MACAY. He congratulated IIT Hyderabad for hosting such a prestigious event. More than 1,500 students & volunteers from across India and overseas have gathered at IITH for this immersive experience. The day began with a holistic breakfast, setting the tone for a balanced and mindful routine. In the forenoon, participants watched 'Gandhi', the Oscar-winning biopic directed by Sir Richard Attenborough. The screening was followed by a discussion led by Dr Kiran Seth, Founder of SPIC MACAY, who reflected on the film's philosophical depth and its portrayal of Gandhian ideals such as simplicity, discipline, and inner strength. The orientation session was led by Dr Kiran Seth, who encouraged students to view the convention as an inner journey—similar to a stay in an ashram—characterised by simplicity, discipline, and reflection. Following this, an orientation for the faculty coordinators was conducted emphasising their crucial role in guiding and supporting students throughout the week. Earlier, a Nadaswaram recital by Padma Shri Vidwan Sheikh Mahboob Subhani and Vidwan Kaleeshabi Mahaboob filled the air with auspicious sounds. The performance is rooted in temple tradition. Following the formal inauguration, Padma Bhushan awardees Raja and Radha Reddy presented an evocative Kuchipudi recital. Their performance, featuring excerpts from 'Bhama Kalapam' and other classical compositions, displayed grace, expressive clarity, and devotion.
News18
27-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Operation Sindoor Has Restored Dignity Of Women: Home Minister Amit Shah In Mumbai
Last Updated: Home Minister Amit Shah was in Mumbai for the 150th anniversary celebration of Shri Laxmi Narayan Temple at Madhavbaug, Mumbai Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday that Operation Sindoor has restored the honour and dignity of women globally. The Home Minister was in Mumbai for the 150th anniversary celebration of Shri Laxmi Narayan Temple at Madhavbaug, Mumbai. The event saw the presence of key dignitaries including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Eknath Shinde. Also present were Speaker of the Assembly Rahul Narwekar, Cabinet Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, and several other eminent figures from Maharashtra's social and political circles. आज मुंबई के माधवबाग स्थित श्री लक्ष्मीनारायण मंदिर में पूजन-अर्चन किया और मंदिर की 150वीं वर्षगाँठ पर आयोजित समारोह में शामिल हुआ।धार्मिक आस्था का केंद्र होने के साथ-साथ यह मंदिर महाराष्ट्र के सांस्कृतिक इतिहास को भी जीवंत बनाए हुए है। भगवान श्री लक्ष्मीनारायण से सभी के कल्याण… — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 27, 2025 Highlighting the impact of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, Shah said, 'The 11-year tenure of PM Modi will be written in golden letters. Long-pending historic decisions were taken with bold determination. Today, India is the world's fourth-largest economy and is poised to become the largest by 2047. This is a new India — one that does not tolerate injustice against its women." 'Operation Sindoor has made the entire world understand the significance of the sindoor on our mothers' and sisters' foreheads. It has restored their honour and raised their dignity globally," Shah said. The event began with a special puja, followed by cultural presentations led by Sangeet Natak Akademi Chairperson Sandhya Purecha and Sarfoji Raje Bhosale Sanstha. Shah congratulated the Madhavbaug family for 150 years of dedicated service to society through faith, culture, and welfare. He emphasised the need for such institutions to also serve as centres for learning our mother tongue, and imparting knowledge of the Gita, Vedas, and Upanishads along with health services. Fadnavis lauded the temple's 150-year journey as a moment of immense pride. 'This temple is not just a place of worship; it is the abode of the divine. Through Madhavbaug, continuous service — from cow protection to social outreach — has become a way of life," he said. First Published: May 27, 2025, 20:02 IST
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar calls for focus on alternative medicines
New Delhi: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar called for focus on alternative medicine and for evidence-based validation of our ancient texts to make them accessible and applicable to contemporary challenges on Thursday, as per a release. Speaking at an event in Raj Bhavan, Goa, the Vice President said, "We are a nation with a difference.... We are rediscovering our roots, and we will get rooted in our roots. I strongly focus on alternative medicine because India is the home of alternative medicine. It is being practised now very extensively.... Let us not confine our ancient texts to libraries. They are not meant for the shelf of a library. They are meant to be widely disseminated. Let us bring timeless ideas to life through research, innovation, and reinterpretation using modern scientific tools. Let us pursue evidence-based validation, digitisation, translations, and cross-disciplinary studies to make these treasures accessible and applicable to contemporary challenges..... am extremely happy that the World Health Organisation has recognised it by establishing a global centre for traditional medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat. What a powerful recognition of the universal relevance of our systems like Ayurveda ." "Time for us to look back in our Vedas, in our Upanishads, in our Puranas, in our history and time to tell our children from birth about our civilizational depth of knowledge", he added. Addressing the gathering after commissioning the statutes, Dhankhar stated, "We are celebrating today, those who epitomize knowledge -- Charak. Charak was a royal physician in Kushan Kingdom. Charak is known as father of medicine and Charak author Charak Samhita, it is a foundational text for Ayurveda. The other one, Sushrut, father of Surgery, then. I had to see what you had put in your paintings. Surgical instruments during those days, so forward looking and we must always remember. Sushrut was a disciple of Dhanvantari, another celebrated name. Let the lives and works of Charaka and Sushruta be a source of inspiration and motivation for all, particularly our impressionable minds." Reflecting on the need to take pride in our ancient knowledge, Dhankhar underscored, "I wish to also focus on, also highlight a particular cultural trait. It is our cultural trait. Within sections of our society, there is a belief. Anything Indic or ancient is regressive. This trait has no place in modern India. This trait has no place in our times. The world has realised our importance. Time for us also to realise it. We cannot afford a situation to believe West is modern and progressive. Look at the current scenario, and you will find it is far from it. India is the centre. The International Monetary Fund was not wrong and must have said with great difficulty, we are a centre of excellence. We are a hot spot of golden opportunities, an investment opportunity. That being the situation, let us believe in Indic situations. West is far behind us. In their mind, they are learning from us." Underlining the ancient civilizational knowledge, the Vice-President said, " The entire West will be stunned if we learn more about our treasure of knowledge.... Charaka, Sushruta, Dhanvantri, Jivaka, a renowned Ayurvedic physician, and he was Buddha's it comes to mathematics and astronomy, Aryabhatta, we have named our satellites after him, a great name, and during those times we had Bodhayan, a great mathematician, and we have Varahamihira.... He was there when Chandragupta Vikramaditya's court was was one of those. He was having an observatory at Ujjain during those times." "We are a unique before we came to be abreast of the modern surgical situations, 300 surgical procedures, plastic surgery, fracture management, and even caesarean delivery. Just imagine. We need to take great pride in it. Then, what we call super-speciality hospitals. The things they transact in medical science, we already have them. And it is not only that. They put it in writing for academicians. Sushruta's writings reflect not just merely anatomical knowledge, but a profound scientific spirit emphasising accuracy, training, hygiene and patient care", he added.
