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ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRI RAM NATH KOVIND ON THE OCCASION OF LAYING OF FOUNDATION STONE OF JSSAHER ‘VARUNA’ CAMPUS

Mysuru : 11.10.2019

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1. I am happy to be here to lay the foundation stone of the new campus of JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research. The presence of saints and seers has made this occasion even more special. Also, we are quite close to Sri Suttur Mattand thus we are at a blessed place.

2. Sri Suttur Matthas a thousand year-old history. It is a source of a consistent and ongoing movement to uphold the cause of social and economic justice, based on spiritual values and ideals. His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Mahaswamiji, the 23rd head of Sri Suttur Matt established the Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Mahavidyapeetha in 1954. The JSS Mahavidyapeetha leads the Math's educational initiatives. I am told it runs more than 300 educational institutes enlisting over one lakh students. My illustrious predecessors like Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Smt Pratibha Patil and Dr APJ Adbul Kalam had inaugurated some of these institutions and facilities.

3. Yesterday, I attended the birth centenary celebrations of Maharaja Jayachamraja Wadiyar in Mysuru. I am told that Maharaja Wadiyar had conferred the title of 'Rajagurutilaka' on Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Mahaswamiji in 1953 to recognise his immense contribution to society. I am happy that this Global Campus of JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research is a tribute to Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Mahaswamiji whose 104th Jayanti is being celebrated this year.

4. Sri Suttur Math’s focus on education was strongly encouraged by Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji. JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research was established in 2008 and is today regarded as a reputed institute of health sciences. The Ministry of Human Resource Development ranked JSS Academy 37th among 957 universities in India in the year 2018. It has been ranked 64th in The Times Higher Education Emerging Economies University Rankings 2019. I congratulate all the administrators, teachers and students for this achievement.

5. I am confident that this new ‘Global Campus’ of JSS Academy will help the institution to further contribute in the field of education. I am told that the new campus of over a hundred acre will have state of the art facilities and infrastructure. I appreciate the plan to make this a ‘Green Campus’ with almost 70 per cent green cover and several environment friendly features.I compliment all concerned for showing such sensitivity to the cause of environment.

6. The new campus will cater to different academic programs many of which shall be focussed on health and life sciences. These would include programs on health management, pharmacy,biomedical sciences, psychology and human behaviour, yoga and Indian system of medicine. These areas of study are linked to our well-being and health in some way of the other. I am sure that the professionals coming out of this campus would play an important role in fulfilling our vision of achieving ‘health for all’ and ‘holistic health’ in the country. There is strong interest in yoga around the world. The Indian system of medicine is also gaining acceptance abroad. This may open opportunities for you beyond the shores of India.

7. I am told that among you are also students from associated institutions, who are pursuing such health-related studies including in the field of medicine. All of you are architects who shall build healthy villages, towns, cities, states and indeed a healthy India. I understand that many of you participate in community development initiatives as part of your studies. I am sure that you will carry forward the spirit of public service in your professional and personal lives.The nation expects this from its energetic youth and particularly from the students of educational institutions associated with Sri Suttur Math and its seers. The great saint Shri Basaveshwar taught us all look beyond our own self and to serve others. I would like to quote a vachan:

सोहम इन्नदे, दासोहम इन्दने-सय्या

Broadly it can be translated to mean: Be selfless, rather than selfish.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

8. When we talk about healthcare, we have achieved a lot over the years. Yet, health remains a key development challenge for us. As a country we are challenged by the triple burden of communicable, non-communicable and new and emerging diseases. Malnutrition and neglected tropical diseases place severe constraints on us. We need to improve access to health services. Our Government remains committed to tackle these through the flagship Ayushmaan Bharat programme and other health missions. I see the Swachh Bharat Mission too as a campaign closely linked to our health goals. Cleanliness and sanitation is the base requirement for tackling many of our health-related issues and diseases. A nationwide revolution for cleanliness and health is already underway. It must continue and become stronger with each passing day. This would be our tribute to Mahatma Gandhi whose 150th birth anniversary we just celebrated.

9. Our health challenges are linked to our larger socio-economic challenges. Our solutions to meet our health challenges need to be broad-based and multi-pronged. They must use the power of both modern medicine and traditional knowledge. They must focus on both the mind and the body. They must involve both prevention and cure. In this regard, I am happy to learn that the health related programs on this new campus will cater to different aspects of health. For instance, programs in yoga and traditional Indian medicine will enrich the domain of alternative therapies based in our age-old knowledge. And programs in psychology and mental health will strengthen our fight against mental disorders and diseases rooted in our stressful lifestyles.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

10. As professionals you need to be rewarded for your expertise and services, but you also need to give back to the community. You may do so in any way that you prefer. For instance, you could decide to serve in rural areas and deprived neighbourhoods on dedicated days, once or twice a month. You could join efforts to increase public awareness on health and wellness, individually or with the help of NGOs. Remember that anything that you decide to do for the community will go a long way in building a happy and healthy society. It is a privilege for all of you to possess knowledge that can help fellow human beings.

11. I once again congratulate the JSS Mahavidyapeeth for the excellent work it is doing in the service of education. In particular I compliment the JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research for setting up its new Global Campus. My best wishes for this project and your future endeavours.

Thank you,

Jai Hind!