IIT Roorkee claims its anthem inspired by RamCharitManas, says modern education must incorporate the epic’s values

IIT Roorkee has said that its ‘Kulgeet’ (institute anthem) was inspired by RamCharitManas as the speakers at Eighth International Ramayana Conference held in the institute stressed upon how ancient knowledge in the epic is relevant to the development and growth of modern society.

The three-day Conference on Ramayan at IIT Roorkee held in collaboration with Shri RamCharit Bhawan USA emphasised that modern education must incorporate the values of Ramayana in it.

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Speaking on this occasion IIT Roorkee Director KK Pant said “Modern education needs to understand and inculcate the values of RamCharit Manas that the purpose of education is not just to provide a livelihood, but to serve humanity. The Kulgeet of IIT Roorkee has also drawn inspiration from the Chaupai of Ramcharit Manas. Parhit Saris Dharma nahi Bhai (there is no better duty than helping others)” of RamCharitManas and “Sarjan hit Jeevan nit arpit (life always dedicated to benefit society) ” of IIT Roorkee’s Kulgeet highlight the importance of serving the society. Principles of the Indian knowledge system are invaluable.” Pant stated that human values, duty towards parents, social responsibility, integrity in public life and the ideal of Ramrajya engrained in Ramayana are guiding forces for contemporary themes of sustainability, wellness, ethics and nation building. IIT Roorkee head urged country’s youths to see knowledge “not merely as a means to high salaries but a way to serve society and create a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) 2047”.

Addressing the conference professor Dinesh Shastri, Vice Chancellor Uttarakhand Sanskrit University highlighted the rich Sanskrit and philosophical traditions underlying Ramayana and emphasised the importance of introducing these texts through structured courses in school and higher education institutions under the system of Indian Knowledge framework. He noted that when values like benevolence, truth and compassion are internalised, social ills like corruption and disharmony will diminish naturally.

Speaking at the event professor Rajat Agrawal, Head Department of Management Studies dwelled on the exclusivity of hosting the Ramayana Conference at the institute. He underlined that 180-year old historical campus offers a befitting setting for a confluence of knowledge and devotion.

Professor Om Prakash Gupta, founder of Shri Ramcharit Bhavan and faculty member at the University of Houston Downtown informed that around 150 research papers on Ramayana and related spiritual literature were presented in the conference advocating for how traditional Indian knowledge was relevant for the development and growth of the society.