Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, today inaugurated the Bengaluru campus of Adichunchanagiri University (ACU) in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

On this occasion, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said in his address that the core principle of our culture is "Sarva Jan Hitaya, Sarva Jan Sukhaya", which means thinking not only about oneself but also about the welfare and happiness of all. He said that Shri Adichunchanagiri Mutt is doing excellent work by running health centres in villages, providing free treatment for the poor, and establishing educational centres for children.

Shri Amit Shah said that a campus has been built at a cost of ₹200 crore, covering 20 lakh square feet on 16 acres of land, to provide education for 4,000 students. He mentioned that this 1,000-bed modern hospital, equipped with all healthcare facilities, will truly become a great medium of service by offering free and affordable treatment to the poor along with education. He added that Jagadguru Shri Dr. Balagangadharanatha Swamiji has preserved and further enriched the 1,800-year-old spiritual tradition of the sacred hills of Adichunchanagiri by integrating it with service, education, and dedication. Dr. Nirmalanandanatha Mahaswamiji is also carrying this legacy forward.

Union Home Minister said that this Mutt (monastic institution) has connected many poor and middle-class families with spirituality and Karma Yoga through service. He said that the Mutt has successfully brought together people from all sections of society based on nine pillars – Anna (food), Akshara (education), Arogya (health), Adhyatmika (spirituality), Aashraya (shelter), Aranya (environment), Aakaalu (disaster relief), Anukampa (compassion), and Anubandh (tie-up).

This, he said, has not only strengthened spirituality, religion, and culture within society but also reinforced social unity, setting a remarkable example for other religious institutions. Shri Shah added that this Mutt is moving forward by blending innovation with tradition. On one hand, it connects children and youth with our traditions and culture, while on the other, it provides them with the most modern education, helping them secure a respectable place in society.

Shri Amit Shah said that Shri Adichunchanagiri Mutt is devoted not only to the upliftment of an individual's soul but also to awakening the soul of society. He mentioned that Mahaswami Ji has provided students with education along with free accommodation, enabling them to attain a respectable place in society. In addition, Mahaswami Ji has undertaken several initiatives for the welfare of orphans, the elderly, and people with mental illnesses, and Dr. Nirmalanandanatha Ji has carried forward this tradition. Shri Shah said that this university not only provides new direction to students but has also become one of India's premier universities. He said that the 1,500-bed hospital here offers top-quality healthcare services at very low cost and free for the poor, including research centres, cardiology, neurosurgery, oncology, and even kidney, liver, and cornea transplants.

Union Home Minister said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had once said that the biggest problem leading to poverty is illness, and the biggest reason for continued illness is the cost of treatment. Prime Minister Modi had said that the government should make arrangements for the treatment of the poor. Shri Shah said that after becoming Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji fulfilled that commitment, and today the Government of India is providing free treatment up to ₹5 lakh for 60 crore needy people. He said that Prime Minister Modi has addressed the country's health issues with a holistic approach. Nearly 12 crore toilets have been constructed in households, the Fit India Movement was launched, International Day of Yoga was initiated, and under Mission Indradhanush, free vaccination has been arranged for children from birth to 15 years of age. Through the Poshan Abhiyan, concern for the nutrition of mothers and children was addressed, paving the way for building a healthy citizenry.

In addition, under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana, all medicines are being made available at 20% of the market price at 15,000 locations. Shri Shah said that Prime Minister Modi has also taken several measures to increase the number of doctors in the country. He mentioned that in 2014, there were 7 AIIMS in the country — today there are 23. The number of medical colleges has increased from 387 to 780; MBBS seats have increased from 51,000 to 1,18,000; and the number of postgraduate medical seats has risen from 31,000 to 74,000.

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