Maharishi Valmiki’s Name for All ST Schools, Raichur University: CM Siddaramaiah

On the occasion of Valmiki Jayanti, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that all Scheduled Tribe (ST) residential schools in the state and Raichur University will be named after Maharishi Valmiki. The announcement was made during a programme organized by the Department of Backward Classes Welfare to celebrate the contributions of Valmiki.

Key Points from Siddaramaiah’s Address

Renaming of Schools and University

• All ST residential schools and Raichur University will be renamed after Maharishi Valmiki.
• Siddaramaiah emphasized that Valmiki’s life and contributions should be celebrated and remembered for generations.

Welfare for Marginalized Communities

• Siddaramaiah highlighted his government’s commitment to marginalized communities by initiating hostel facilities for them in every hobli. (Hobli : A hobli, nad or mágani is a cluster of adjoining villages administered together for tax and land tenure purposes in the states of Karnataka India.  
• He mentioned the introduction of the SCSP (Scheduled Castes Sub Plan) and TSP (Tribal Sub Plan) policies, ensuring budget allocations proportionate to SC/ST populations.

Appeal for Unity and Truth

• Siddaramaiah urged marginalized communities to unite and seek the truth by questioning and reflecting on the realities around them, rather than blindly following others.
• He encouraged them to honor Maharishi Valmiki by embodying the values of truth and equality.

Contributions of Marginalized Communities

• The CM noted that historically marginalized communities such as the Kuruba and Besta castes made significant contributions to literature and philosophy.
• He mentioned that Kalidasa, the author of Shakuntala, belonged to the Kuruba community, while Vyasa, who wrote the Mahabharata, and Valmiki, the author of the Ramayana, came from similar backgrounds.

Valmiki’s Legacy

• Siddaramaiah debunked myths surrounding Valmiki, stressing that despite coming from a marginalized background, he mastered Sanskrit and authored the Ramayana.
• He highlighted Valmiki’s principles of equality and fairness, as reflected in the concept of Ram Rajya in the Ramayana, and noted that Valmiki provided shelter and education to Lava and Kusha, symbolizing his universal values of equal opportunity.

Valmiki Jayanti 

• On October 17th, the birth anniversary of Maharishi Valmiki is being celebrated as the Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti 2024. 
• This day honors the great sage who wrote the Ramayana, a famous epic that teaches about ethics, morality, and the victory of good over evil.
  
• Across India, many are taking part in prayers, rituals, and cultural activities to remember his important work and influence. 
• Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti  is not only a time of celebration but also an opportunity to reflect on the teachings and contributions of Maharishi Valmiki to Indian culture.

About Valmiki

• Maharishi Valmiki is regarded as the “Adi Kavi” or the first poet of Sanskrit literature. 
• He was born Ratnakar, a man who turned from a life of crime to becoming a sage after an encounter with the divine. 
• His life changed when he had a transformative encounter with the divine, leading him to become a wise sage. 

Contributions to Literature

• Valmiki is best known for writing the Ramayana, an epic that continues to shape the religious and cultural fabric of India. 
• This epic consists of approximately 24,000 verses and is currently divided into seven books (Kandas). It narrates the life of Lord Rama emphasizing themes of duty, honor, and righteousness.

Maharishi Valmiki Temple

• The Maharishi Valmiki Temple, also known as Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, is a religious site located in Amritsar, Punjab, India. 
• The temple is believed to be the place where Valmiki provided shelter to Mata Sita during her exile. 
• There are many other sacred sites dedicated to Maharishi Valmiki, such as the Thiruvanmiyur Temple in Chennai, which is thought to be around 1,300 years old.