Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, today addressed the “Centenary Year Ceremony – 2026” organized by the Gayatri Parivar in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, on the occasion of the birth centenary of the revered Mata Bhagwati Devi Sharma Ji and the centenary year of the Akhand Deep. On this occasion, several distinguished dignitaries, including the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, were present.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, said that Haridwar is a confluence of faith, spirituality, and culture. He said, by coming to the ‘Akhand Jyoti’ Conference today, I am experiencing unbroken energy and consciousness. He stated that the revered Pandit Shri Ram Sharma Ji chose the path of individual transformation to revive faith, spirituality, and culture. He worked to awaken and energize the divine soul residing within every individual. Shri Shah said that those who know Sanatan Dharma, understand Indian culture, and are familiar with India’s history have a firm belief that if solutions to all problems of the world exist in one place, it is within the Indian tradition itself.

Shri Amit Shah said that the spiritual reconstruction of India will be beneficial not only for India but for the entire world. Great visionaries such as Swami Vivekananda Ji, Maharshi Aurobindo Ji, and the revered Pandit Ram Sharma Ji have all expressed, through their powerful words, the belief that when India awakens with its full radiance, it will illuminate the entire world and the whole universe. Shri Shah added that the words of such great souls and visionaries never fail. We must move forward by accepting the truthful words spoken by them as the word of Brahma. He further said that Pandit Shri Ram Sharma Ji, through the Gayatri Mantra, brought devotion out of the sanctum of the temple and carried it to the lips and souls of the common people.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the visionary Pandit Shri Ram Sharma Acharya and the revered Mata Bhagwati Devi, during their very lifetimes, accomplished the work of many eras. They created a banyan tree whose shade today guides more than 15 crore followers in over 100 countries along the path of spirituality, helping them advance on the path of the welfare of their souls. He said that moving along a single path with a single goal from 1925–26 to 2026—carrying not just one individual and one idea, but millions of people together—proves the immense energy inherent in Pandit Ji’s life, thoughts, and actions. Shri Shah said that even so many years after Pandit Ji’s passing, the Akhand Jyoti has not only continued to burn but has also taken a permanent place as a lamp in the hearts of millions of people.

Shri Amit Shah said that 1925–26 was a year of national resurgence. In that very year, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was founded and it too is celebrating its centenary. Gita Press, Gorakhpur, is also marking 100 years since its establishment, and this year is likewise the birth centenary of the revered Mata Ji. He said that the convergence of all these in the same year signifies that God must have created that year specifically for the resurgence of India.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that this is the centenary year programme of the Gayatri Parivar. He said that for an individual, a lifespan of 100 years is considered a form of completeness, but for institutions that work for individual transformation and national resurgence, it represents a formative stage, in which they move forward with renewed energy. Shri Shah said that Pandit Shri Ram Sharma Ji connected millions of people with the Gayatri Mantra, Gayatri worship, and Gayatri spiritual practice. India will never be free of the debt it owes to Pandit Shri Ram Sharma Ji. He connected millions of people with the movement of individual transformation and devotion, guided them on the path of spirituality, and revitalized the Gayatri Mantra. Without discrimination of caste, community, or gender, he showed every soul, through the Gayatri Mantra, the path to welfare and upliftment. The Home Minister said that Pandit Shri Ram Sharma Ji received guidance from Mahamana Madan Mohan Malaviya Ji to take the knowledge of the Gayatri Mantra to the masses and made it the guiding mantra of his life.

Shri Amit Shah said that in 1971, the divine light manifested on this sacred land, Shantikunj was established, and crores of people began to walk on the path shown by Gurudev. He said that no religion, religious leader, or philosophy can change an era. Pandit ji gave the maxim, “Hum Badlenge, Yug Badlega” (We will change, the era will change) and this principle showed the way to the entire nation. He said that until the individual, the nation, and the times change, the question of changing an era does not arise. If every individual begins to walk on the path of spirituality, an era transforms on its own. In no time, 15 crore families became associated with this movement. Shri Shah said that there is a deep connection between “We will change, the era will change” and the Gayatri Mantra. The Gayatri Mantra is not merely a mantra composed in Sanskrit; its 24 syllables awaken 24 noble spiritual centers. The 24 syllables of the Gayatri Mantra balance the 24 spiritual centers associated with virtues, when these 24 virtues are developed, it enhances altruism, courage, and intellect. The Gayatri Mantra, recited from the navel while seated in Padmasana, awakens and activates the noble centers within us.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that Pandit Shri Ram Sharma Ji linked the slogan “Hum Badlenge, Yug Badlega” (We will change, the era will change) with the Gayatri Mantra. He said that by giving the message “We will change, the era will change,” Pandit Acharya Sharma Ji provided the entire nation with a new direction and renewed resolve. He said that the Gayatri Mantra was originally composed for the welfare of all humanity on Earth, but over time it had gradually reduced to a mere ritualistic practice. Pandit Ram Sharma Ji gave the Gayatri Mantra a scientific foundation and infused it with new energy. He said that try it once with sincerity—by the blessings of Pandit Sharma Ji, selfishness will fall away, selflessness will grow, cowardice will disappear, non-violent valour will take its place, and the intellect will gain mastery over the path of righteousness.

Shri Amit Shah said that the magazine ‘Akhand Jyoti’ reaches crores of people in more than 100 languages without any advertisements or external support. This is the direct result of the austere spiritual practice of Pandit Shri Ram Sharma Ji and revered Mata Ji. The Home Minister said from the freedom movement to social reforms, Pt. Shri Ram Sharma Ji played a significant role in nation-building. He said, that Pt. Shri Ram Sharma Ji participated in the Salt Satyagraha, endured the lathi blows of the British, and after independence, launched a movement against the prevailing social evils in society. He broke the shackles of caste discrimination, showed society the path of equality, and granted women the right to chant the Gayatri Mantra. He called for the adoption of dowry-free marriages. With a creative vision, he removed social evils. Along with campaigns for freedom from addiction and the cleaning of the Ganga, he also undertook the work of tree plantation.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that Shri Ram Sharma Ji gave the sutra, “Improving oneself is the greatest service to the world.” This sutra has filled the lives of many people with light. He said that whenever any crisis strikes the country—be it a flood, an earthquake, or a pandemic—the Gayatri Parivar always remains at the forefront in the list of institutions providing service. From the donation of a handful of grain and Samidha (sacred wood) to working nationwide for the upliftment of society, this organization has become an exemplary model.

The Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that when Acharya Shri left his mortal body in 1990, Mataji declared in front of 15 lakh people that this mission is divinely inspired—it will not stop, but will expand rapidly. She performed a yagya in Chitrakoot, in which 10 lakh people, through 1008 kunds (sacred fire pits), offered their addictions as sacrifice and attained freedom from them. This was the first such Ashwamedha Yagya in the history of Sanatan Dharma where 10 lakh people sacrificed their vices. This movement infused scientific temper into Sanatan Dharma. He stated that Pandit Ram Sharma Ji had said that religion and science are complementary to each other, not opposed. Sanatan Dharma and science are indeed complementary. Those who lack true knowledge of religion consider it superstition, whereas those who possess genuine understanding of religion are able to evaluate it scientifically. Pandit Ram Sharma Ji was the first to subject spirituality to the test of logic and reason. He said that when the youth of this country advance the Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas while also embracing the foundation of science, we will certainly progress forward. Shri Shah said, seeing children in the Gayatri Parivar holding a Veda in one hand and a laptop in the other clearly shows that tradition and progress can go hand in hand.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of India's independence, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji presented the history of the freedom struggle before the adolescents and youth of the country. Freedom fighters were searched out in every village and their glory was celebrated. In the 75th year of independence, the Amrit Kaal was declared, which represents the journey from 75 to 100 years of independence. He said that when all of us Indians celebrate the centenary of independence on 15 August 2047, we will create a Bharat that will be first in the world in every field. Shri Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has presented a vision of India that is fully developed, transcends materialism, and advances along the path of spirituality. This resolve has now become the resolve of 140 crore people. He stated that this resolve cannot be fulfilled without the cooperation of social service organizations. He said that the resolve to build a fully developed India and to place Bharat Mata at the highest position in the world is also the resolve of the Gayatri Parivar.

Shri Amit Shah said that in the past 10 years, unprecedented changes have taken place in the country. For 550 years, Ram Lalla was seated in an insulting arrangement, but today a grand Ram Temple has been constructed in Ayodhya at that very site. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, which was demolished by Aurangzeb, has today been rebuilt and stands in its full grandeur. After being destroyed 16 times, the Somnath Temple today stands with unparalleled dignity and honor, hoisting the magnificent flag of Sanatan Dharma to its highest peak. Shri Shah said that Article 370 has been abrogated and the country has moved forward on the path of a Common Civil Code. He stated that there was a time when people hesitated even to speak about Hindutva, but today they proudly talk about their religion.

The Home Minister also inaugurated the Patanjali Emergency and Critical Care Hospital in Haridwar.

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RK/PR/PS