Sayed Habib, Udaipur.
The 89th Foundation Day of Rajasthan Vidyapeeth was celebrated with grandeur on Thursday in Udaipur. On this occasion, a statue of the institution’s visionary founder, Pandit Janardan Rai Nagar – affectionately known as “Janubhai” – was unveiled at the Shramjeevi College campus.
Carrying Forward Janubhai’s Vision
The ceremony began with floral tributes offered by Chancellor Bhanwarlal Gurjar, Vice-Chancellor Prof. S.S. Sarangdevot, Peeth Sthavir Kaushal Nagda, and members of the founder’s family. The statue was formally unveiled with traditional chanting by 11 priests under the leadership of Pandit Lokesh Paliwal.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sarangdevot highlighted Janubhai’s farsighted dream of educating the last person in society. “The sapling planted in 1937 has today grown into a mighty banyan tree. It is now our collective responsibility to nurture and strengthen this institution further,” he said. Prof. Sarangdevot emphasized that the university was founded to spread literacy, quality education, and moral values. He noted that Rajasthan Vidyapeeth now runs over 200 academic programs with an annual budget of ₹70 crore, which stands as a remarkable achievement.
Commitment Towards Rural Mewar
Chancellor Bhanwarlal Gurjar described the Foundation Day as a moment to evaluate past achievements and set new responsibilities for the future. He urged the younger generation to work for the upliftment of Mewar’s rural communities and to fulfill the dreams of Janubhai. He praised the university for playing a pivotal role in the educational, social, and cultural progress of the nation.
Other Key Highlights
The day began with tributes at Janubhai’s life-size statue at the Pratapnagar campus, followed by the ceremonial flag hoisting by the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, and Peeth Sthavir, along with the singing of the university anthem.
Distinguished speakers, including Chief Guest Dr. Prafull Nagar and former Vice-Chancellor Prof. Divya Prabha Nagar, reflected on Pandit Nagar’s vision for education and his spirit of service and dedication.
The program was conducted by Registrar Dr. Tarun Shrimali and Dr. Hemendra Choudhary, while Prof. Malay Paneri delivered the vote of thanks. The event was attended by deans, directors, faculty members, and several eminent citizens of Udaipur.
