Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his attendance at the centenary celebrations of Gita Press in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, praised the publishing house, calling it “not less than any temple.” This statement comes in the midst of controversy surrounding the conferring of the Gandhi Peace Prize on Gita Press. This article provides an overview of PM Modi’s remarks and the significance of Gita Press in promoting Hindu religious literature.
During the closing ceremony of Gita Press’ centenary celebrations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of institutions like Gita Press, stating that they guide humanity and serve as beacons of guidance. This statement came days after the Congress party criticized the government for awarding the Gandhi Peace Prize to Gita Press, citing the alleged disagreements between Mahatma Gandhi and the publishing house.
PM Modi highlighted Mahatma Gandhi’s emotional connection with Gita Press and his contributions to their monthly magazine, ‘Kalyan.’ He mentioned that the magazine continues to follow Gandhi’s advice by refraining from running advertisements.
The Prime Minister further described Gita Press as a living faith and a place of worship for millions of people, emphasizing its significance for the nation. He unveiled a special edition of the Shiv Puran, edited by a Nepalese scholar, at the event. The edition includes a collection of over 200 photographs of Lord Shiva, Parvati, and Ganesh from Gita Press’ archives.
PM Modi commended Gita Press for its efforts in promoting cleanliness of the Ganga river and contributing to the nation-building process. He praised the press for playing a unifying role and fostering national consciousness, aligning with the concept of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” (One India, Best India).
Gita Press was established in Gorakhpur by Jaydayal Goyandka, a businessman, with the aim of publishing error-free copies of the Bhagavad Gita. The press has been instrumental in promoting Hindu traditions and has reached low-income households across the country. It holds the distinction of being the world’s largest publisher of Hindu religious books, having published 42 crore books since its establishment in 1923, including 16 crore copies of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita.
For more such news stay tuned to FELA News!
