AHMEDABAD — Addressing graduates at the 72nd convocation of Gujarat Vidyapith, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah stated that Mahatma Gandhi’s core message will remain relevant for generations, as its foundations rest entirely on India’s native values, knowledge traditions, and civilizational identity.
Shah urged the incoming generation of leaders and professionals to adopt Gandhian ethics as practical guidelines for navigating personal, economic, and civic life.
Redefining Education Through Native Values
Reflecting on the historical establishment of Gujarat Vidyapith by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920, the Home Minister detailed the core educational philosophy of the institution:
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Balanced Development: Authentic education requires simultaneous alignment of the hand, heart, and mind—coupling manual capability with moral sensitivity and intellectual wisdom.
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Knowledge Tempered with Wisdom: Purely academic knowledge risks generating arrogance, whereas wisdom ensures that scholarship produces humility and public service.
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De-siloed Learning: True learning extends beyond traditional classrooms to incorporate practical experience gathered from fields, artisan workshops, and local village assemblies.
Ethical Guardrails and Cultural Pride
Shah called on the graduating class to adhere strictly to foundational Gandhian principles when engaging in public life:
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Avoiding Social Faults: Graduates were urged to remain conscious of Gandhi’s warning against societal traps, including commerce without morality, politics without principles, and science without humanity.
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Adherence to Core Vows: Principles such as Swadeshi, truth, physical labor, and social equality continue to offer practical solutions to contemporary societal friction.
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Promoting Native Languages: Emphasizing the significance of mother tongues, Shah noted that native languages serve as the essential connection to a nation’s history, culture, and collective memory.
Commercial Resurgence of Khadi and Village Industries
Highlighting the modern economic impact of Gandhian self-reliance models:
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Market Growth: The annual turnover of Khadi and village industries expanded from ₹31,000 crore in 2013–14 to ₹1.87 lakh crore in 2025–26.
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Support for Rural Economies: Khadi represents a practical commitment to sustaining rural livelihoods and advancing village-level economic independence (Gram Swaraj).
