The Shri Shrimanta Shankar Dev Research Chair Established at Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University Inaugurated

The ideas of Shrimanta Shankar Dev are the foundation of social harmony and cultural diversity – Shri DekaThe entire nation is proud of the literary contributions of Shrimanta Shankar Dev – Shri Sai

On the initiative of Governor Shri Ramen Deka, the grand inauguration of a research institution dedicated to the thoughts, philosophy, and literature of the great saint, social reformer, and torchbearer of cultural consciousness, Shrimanta Shankar Dev, was held today at Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University in a dignified ceremony.

The programme was presided over by Governor Shri Ramen Deka. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, Higher Education Minister Shri Tank Ram Verma, Dr. Krishna Gopal Ji, Joint General Secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, along with scholars from the academic world, researchers, youth, and a large number of distinguished citizens were present on the occasion. During the programme, a Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between Panjab University, Chandigarh, and Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur. Following the MoU, research scholars from both universities will be able to undertake interdisciplinary research at each other’s institutions.

Addressing the gathering, the Governor said that the ideas of Shrimanta Shankar Dev continue to inspire society to unite, establish equality, and strengthen human values even today.

Shri Deka stated that the establishment of this Research Chair is a significant initiative towards academically and research-wise connecting the cultural heritage of North-Eastern India and Central India. This Research Chair will emerge as a strong centre for the study of India’s great saintly traditions, the Bhakti movement, and social reforms. He said that such academic initiatives further strengthen the cultural unity of the nation.

The Governor expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai for the allocation of Rs 2 crore by the Chhattisgarh Government for the operation of this Research Chair in the current financial year.

He further said that Shrimanta Shankar Dev earned distinction as a social reformer, educationist, artist, playwright, theatre director, painter, litterateur, lyricist, and a propagator and preacher of music and Vaishnavism. Describing Shrimanta Shankar Dev as a great social reformer of North-Eastern India, he said that Shankar Dev envisioned a harmonious society rising above caste, class, and religion. Through the Namghar and Satra traditions, he strengthened a social system based on equality, compassion, and generosity. The literary works created by Shrimanta Shankar Dev, including Ankiya Naat and Borgeet, are invaluable treasures of India’s cultural heritage. His ideas united Assamese society and gave a new direction to social consciousness.

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, in his address, said that although the primary area of work of revered Shankar Dev Ji was Assam, the social awakening he brought had an impact across the entire country. The literature, plays, and devotional compositions created by Shrimanta Shankar Dev resonate with the spirit of Indian culture. India is known for its unity and integrity, and behind this are great sons of Mother India like Shankar Dev Ji, who dedicated their entire lives to the nation’s culture. By informing the present and future generations about the contributions of our ancestors, we can build a capable and prosperous India. This instils a sense of patriotism among people. Shankar Dev Ji, in one of his compositions, stated that being born on Indian soil is the greatest fortune. The message of “One India” that he gave 500 years ago is being realised today through the vision of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

The chief speaker, Dr. Krishna Gopal Ji, while addressing the programme, said that the state of Assam is rich in diversity. It has varied tribes, geography, rivers, hills, forests, and dense woodlands, due to which numerous tribes have been living there in distant regions for thousands of years. The important task of uniting these tribes was accomplished by Shrimanta Shankar Dev. He connected people through devotion to Lord Krishna. A leading figure of the Bhakti movement, he authored devotional literature and provided training in theatre and music. He established Namghars in villages, and today almost every village in Assam has a Namghar, which is known as a centre of devotion, culture, and social harmony. Dr. Krishna Gopal Ji elaborated in detail on the contributions of Shrimanta Shankar Dev.

Higher Education Minister Shri Tank Ram Verma said that Shrimanta Shankar Dev did not limit education merely to literacy but connected it with values and culture. This research institution is not just a building, but will emerge as a workshop of ideas. The research papers produced here will give a new identity to India’s knowledge tradition at national and international levels.

At the conclusion of the programme, all collaborators and members of the management committee associated with the establishment of the institution were congratulated, and hope was expressed that this centre will, in the future, become a major hub for knowledge, innovation, and the pursuit of truth, and will establish the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam on the global मंच.

It is noteworthy that the primary objective of establishing the Shrimanta Shankar Dev Research Chair is to bring before the Indian public the contributions and wide-ranging influence of great saints associated with the Bhakti movement of North-Eastern and Central India, as well as to document the oral traditions of the tribal cultural heritage of both regions. The Research Chair will also provide research fellowships to scholars. Researchers from disciplines such as language, literature, history, ancient Indian history, regional studies, sociology, and social work will be able to undertake research work at this centre.