Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi hailed Swami Dayanand Saraswati as a visionary reformer who sparked a new era of awakening in Bharat through education, moral reform, and the revival of Vedic knowledge. He was speaking as the Chief Guest at the Arya Mahasammelan–2025, held at the Railway Auditorium in Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar, on the occasion of the 150th foundation anniversary of the Arya Samaj on October 12.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Majhi said that when Bharat was struggling under foreign rule, the Arya Samaj, founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in 1875, rose as a “sun of enlightenment” amid the darkness of ignorance and inequality. “If we look back over the past 150 years, the Arya Samaj’s contribution to Bharat’s renaissance is unparalleled. It was not merely a religious reform movement but a moral, educational, and social revolution,” he remarked.
He described Swami Dayanand Saraswati as a courageous sage who fearlessly challenged superstition, caste discrimination, and social evils. Under his leadership, the Arya Samaj ushered in a new wave of awakening across Bharat, emphasising education, women’s empowerment, and the restoration of Vedic learning.
Highlighting the reformist legacy of the movement, Majhi said that the Arya Samaj, guided by Swami Dayanand, opposed child marriage, promoted women’s education, raised awareness about widow remarriage, and gave society a progressive direction.
The Chief Minister noted that today’s initiatives for women’s empowerment, inclusive growth, and grassroots leadership among women align closely with the vision and values propagated by Swami Dayanand Saraswati. “Our ongoing efforts in these fields are a continuation of the path shown by Swami Dayanand,” he added.
Addressing the youth, Majhi described Swami Dayanand as the “first champion of youth empowerment” in Bharat. He urged young people to draw inspiration from the Maharshi’s ideals, awaken their inner strength, and cultivate wisdom and self-belief.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister and other dignitaries released a commemorative souvenir.
Among those present were Swami Vratananda Saraswati, President of the Utkal Arya Pratinidhi Sabha; RSS Sah Kshetra Pracharak Jagdish Prasad Khadanga; and Arya Pratinidhi Sabha (New Delhi) Vice President Yogendra Khattar. The welcome address was delivered by Pandit Virendra Kumar Panda, Executive President of the Utkal Arya Pratinidhi Sabha.
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