KANGRI GURUKUL

[Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav]

Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Gandhian Scholar

Gandhi Research Foundation, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India

Contact No. – 09415777229, 094055338

E-mail- [e-mail];[e-mail]

 

 

 

 

KANGRI GURUKUL

 

 

 

 Kangri Gurukul was the body in which the soul of Shraddhanandji resided, no matter where its temporary earthly tabernacle wandered from time to time, and Shraddhanandji lives so long as the Gurukul lives The best memorial therefore that can be erected to the memory of the deceased martyr is to perpetuate the Gurukul. No doubt the really permanent memorial will have to come through the character of the professors and the scholars of the Gurukul and through their determination to retain in it the predominance of ancient teaching and conduct based on it. Shraddhanandji used with ample justification to plead that his Gurukul was a national institution in the non-co-operation sense long before the birth of Non-co-operation. He believed that to belong to a Government educational institution was to subscribe to the predominance of Western influence whether we willed or no. He did not object to assimilating what was useful of the West on his own terms and in his own time. To be a fitting memorial of the Swami the Gurukul must therefore keep its complete independence of the Government. And it is a matter of no small satisfaction that the Gurukul in spite of its independence of Governrnent aid or influence continues to grow in numbers as I hope too it does in character, in the spirit of its revered founder.

But if the memorial depends for its real existence ultimately on the character of the scholars and the professors it has to depend presently upon financial support from the public. Acharya Ramadeva has issued an appeal for three lakhs of rupees. I understand that nearly two lakhs are already subscribed. The scene I witnessed when the appeal was made in that huge pandal on the Gurukul ground on the 19th instant was a never-to-be forgotten sight. People men and women vied with one another in pouring their rupees and notes into the buckets with which volunteers moved about among the visitors. There were hardly any coppers to be seen. I heartily commend this appeal to the attention of the public. I have stated my differences with the Arya Samaj and its doctrines. They abide. I have my differences about the conduct of Gurukul. But I am not blind to the services of the Arya Samaj and the necessity of Gurukuls. They have revivified religion, if they have also limited its growth. Every reform has that tendency in it. The wise sift the good from the bad and conserve what is good. The Gurukuls has much in it to conserve and those who would want it to be better than it is have but to prove their friendliness before they seek to introduce changes for its betterment. I have therefore no hesitation in identifying myself with the appeal for funds. There should be no delay or difficulty in making up the modest sum required.