Education most effective means of empowerment: President Murmu in Gorakhpur

gorakhpur: president droupadi murmu on tuesday underscored the transformative power of education, calling it the most effective means of empowerment, as she inaugurated key facilities at mahayogi gorakhnath university here. the event marked the inauguration of the university's academic block, auditorium, panchakarma centre, and the foundation laying of a new girls' hostel during the second day of the president's visit to uttar pradesh. addressing the gathering, murmu said, "education is the strongest medium of empowerment. the establishment of a new girls' hostel by the university is a major step towards promoting higher education for women. i deeply appreciate this initiative as a valuable contribution to women's empowerment." she recounted her own experience from more than five decades ago, when she had to travel nearly 300 km from her village in odisha to the state capital, bhubaneswar, to pursue further education -- an uncommon journey for a girl in her village at the time. murmu said she was pleased to inaugurate the new academic facilities and hoped they would encourage students and faculty alike to pursue learning with greater dedication. she also lauded the newly inaugurated panchakarma centre, noting the effectiveness of the traditional ayurvedic therapy in treating complex ailments. "i believe many people will benefit from this new facility," she said. hailing the university's efforts to extend higher education opportunities in eastern uttar pradesh, she commended the gorakhnath peeth and the maharana pratap shiksha parishad for their dedication to national and cultural values. she noted that this is the first private university in the region contributing to higher education, aligning with the philanthropic spirit promoted by the national education policy 2020. speaking of the values instilled by national icons, president murmu reflected on the inspiration drawn from maharana pratap, whose birth anniversary was observed on may 19. "institutions inspired by maharana pratap carry forward the spirit of prioritising the nation above all. i hope students here will not only gain professional knowledge but also embrace spiritual values and national pride," she said. murmu also paid tributes to the legacy of mahant digvijay nath and mahant avaidyanath, noting that the institution's lineage reflects a deep commitment to education, public service, and india's cultural ethos. she acknowledged that her predecessor, former president ram nath kovind, had inaugurated the university, and expressed happiness that the institution had made significant progress in just four years. "the credit for this development also goes to the guidance and support provided by uttar pradesh chief minister and university chancellor yogi adityanath. his vision has been instrumental in establishing the university as a key centre for higher and employment-oriented education in this region," she said.