Nation-building was a long and arduous task and it was important that honesty, transparency, selfless service and total dedication towards the nation became watchwords in this tremendous effort, said Governor Banwarilal Purohit here on Friday.
“No nation can become great if the common people are not provided with opportunities for education, employment and enterprise in an honest and transparent manner. It is important to inculcate the values of honesty and transparency and devotion in our youth,” the Governor said speaking at the seventh anniversary of the Tiruchi kendra of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB).
Mr. Purohit, who is also the vice-president of BVB worldwide, urged philanthropists of the city to come forth and set up a school under the Bhavan’s umbrella.
BVB founded in 1938 promotes social harmony and Indian values through its cultural and educational programmes.
The Tiruchi chapter, which was established in 2011, is the 119th branch of BVB in the country. “The rise of institutions such as the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan is necessary to maintain intact, the spiritual foundations of India,” said Mr. Purohit. The spiritual greatness of India is evidenced by the sustainability of its civilization, he added.
Classical vocalist O.S. Arun regaled the audience with a multilingual selection of devotional songs. Notable among these was a spirited rendition of the Surdas composition ‘Gopi Gopala Bala’ (Gamanashramam Raga), that held the audience in thrall of the web of melodies that Mr. Arun wove with full-throated ease. B.V. Raghavendra Rao (violin), M.S. Venkatasubramanium (mrudangam), Chandrasekhar (harmonium), Martin (tabla) and Selvam (talam) were Mr. Arun’s accompanists for the evening.
The 2012 composition ‘Yamunai Nadiye Kannanai Kandayo’ in Tamil brought forth a note of desolation and yearning, while ‘Brindavani Venu’ a Marathi Abhang in Abheri Raga by the saint Bhanudas, was dedicated to the Governor by Mr. Arun.
K. N. Ramaswamy, Director, Chennai Kendra, BVB, S. Chandrakumar, Chairman, and T. V. Murali, Secretary, Tiruchi Kendra, BVB, and others were present.