CM Dr. Yadav said that the 528th birth anniversary of Goswami Tulsidas is being celebrated with devotion and reverence. The Ramcharitmanas of Tulsidas ji is one of the most ancient and revered epics of India. The rich cultural and literary traditions that nurture and sustain us today were laid centuries ago by Goswami Tulsidas. Through Ramcharitmanas, the country received a poetic tradition that continues to guide people with values of dharma, ethics, life principles, and dignity. Describing Ramcharitmanas as a priceless treasure of Indian literature and culture, the Chief Minister said that Goswami Tulsidas’s contribution to enriching Indian culture is unforgettable and everlasting. He said, “Tulsidas ji will forever live in the hearts of Indians, and his words still provide direction to our lives”.
CM Dr. Yadav urged everyone to ensure that Tulsidas’s literature reaches the younger generation. He said that the government has adopted a vision of “heritage to development.” The essence of Indian culture is embedded in the lives and values of Lord Shri Ram and Shri Krishna, and the government is committed to following the path shown by them. He informed that the government has decided to build Gita Bhavans in all urban local bodies across the state. Along with developing the Shri Ram Van Gaman Path, the state is also working rapidly to transform sites related to Lord Krishna’s divine plays into pilgrimage centres.
CM Dr. Yadav was addressing the Tulsi Jayanti and Felicitation Ceremony held at Manas Bhavan under the auspices of the Tulsi Manas Pratishthan on Friday. On the occasion, he conferred the Pt. Ramkinkar Upadhyay National Award upon Guru Govind Dev Giri Maharaj, presenting him with an honour shawl, a citation plaque, and an award of Rs. 2 lakh. Guru Govind Dev Giri Maharaj is a renowned thinker and trustee of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust in Ayodhya. The Chief Minister also announced a development grant of Rs. 5 crore to the Tulsi Manas Pratishthan for the construction of a Shri Ram Museum in Bhopal.
Prominent personalities present at the event included Pt. Ramkinkar Upadhyay’s disciple and “Manas Daughter” Sushri Mandakini Didi, Chairperson of the Tulsi Manas Pratishthan Shri Raghunandan Sharma, MLA Shri Bhagwandas Sabnani, Bhopal Municipal Corporation Chairperson, Shri Kishan Suryavanshi, Principal Secretary, Culture Shri Shivshekhar Shukla, and social worker Shri Ravindra Yati, among many admirers of Tulsidas’s works.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav emphasised that the Ramayana is our national scripture, and it was because of Goswami Tulsidas’s pledge that it reached every household. The state government is making every possible effort to realise the ideals of Ram Rajya. In 2024, after a 500-year wait, Ram Lalla was consecrated at the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in both the consecration and the foundation-laying ceremony.
CM Dr. Yadav, referring to recent events in Pahalgam, said that the action taken by the Government of India reflected the divine power of Lord Ram. Under the guidance of PM Modi, the National Education Policy was implemented in 2020. As Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Yadav had introduced Ramayana and the Gita into students’ curriculum, underscoring that the essence of Indian culture lies in the lives of Shri Ram and Shri Krishna. He reiterated the government’s commitment to building fully equipped Gita Bhavans in every urban body of the state. Sites associated with Lord Krishna’s divine pastimes are being developed as pilgrimage destinations. Alongside the Shri Ram Van Gaman Path, the government is also developing a Shri Krishna Pathway. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, highlighting efforts to preserve heritage, said that two grand gateways—Raja Bhoj Gate and Vikramaditya Gate—are being constructed as entry points to the capital, Bhopal.
Guru Govind Dev Giri Maharaj said that India has shared its cultural heritage with the entire world. The complete philosophy of ancient Indian values is reflected in the life of Lord Shri Ram. Our tradition defines ten core virtues as dharma, all of which are exemplified in Shri Ram’s character. He praised the Chief Minister’s commitment to advancing development while preserving cultural heritage. Despite centuries of foreign rule, India has remained steadfast in its cultural identity. The reconstruction of the Shri Ram Temple, demolished during foreign invasions, is a symbol of this cultural resilience. Guru Maharaj also commended the Madhya Pradesh government for permitting the teaching of the Gita in government schools and prisons and for building Gita Bhavans, calling it a highly commendable initiative.
Sushri Mandakini Didi, disciple of Pt. Ramkinkar Upadhyay praised the efforts of the current state government to enrich Sanatan culture. From Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar temple to Orchha’s Ramraja temple, many sacred sites have been developed. She expressed concern that the rise of Western influence has distanced society from Vedic culture, making cultural preservation essential today. She noted that Pt. Ramkinkar Upadhyay dedicated his life to the welfare of the nation through Ram Kathas across India. Inspired by his vision, the Manas Bhavan platform has been hosting Shri Ram Katha recitations and discourses for nearly 50 years. She wholeheartedly praised the Madhya Pradesh government for organising such events focused on cultural preservation.
Principal Secretary (Culture) Shri Shivshekhar Shukla said that this is the second year of the Padma Bhushan-awarded “Yug-Tulsi” Pt. Ramkinkar Upadhyay National Felicitation Ceremony. He highlighted Guru Govind Dev Giri Maharaj’s life, noting that he began narrating the Ramayana, Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, and Mahabharata at the tender age of 8 and has deeply interpreted Tulsidas’s literature.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Shri Raghunandan Sharma, Working President of the Tulsi Manas Pratishthan.