The spiritual and wellness hub of Haridwar witnessed a significant event on January 5 as Patanjali Yogpeeth celebrated its 32nd Foundation Day with great fervor. The occasion was marked by a powerful articulation of a long-term vision aimed at transforming India into a global leader in knowledge, wellness, and spiritual philosophy.
A Vision for a Global India Rooted in Sanatan Values
Leading the celebrations, the organization's Founder President, Swami Ramdev, and General Secretary, Acharya Balkrishna, addressed a gathering of senior functionaries, monks, teachers, students, and volunteers. Swami Ramdev emphasized that the Sanatan way of life is set to become a universal framework for living. He asserted that India's indigenous systems of education, healthcare, and holistic living hold the key to addressing the world's future challenges.
"Yoga, Ayurveda, and naturopathy are poised to emerge as globally accepted and mainstream medical systems," Swami Ramdev stated. He highlighted the role of the Indian Education Board—an initiative by Patanjali—in steering global education towards a more value-driven and culturally rooted direction. According to him, this educational ecosystem, encompassing Gurukuls, Acharyakulams, and universities, is designed to nurture students with deep knowledge, discipline, and national pride.
From Education Seeker to Global Education Hub
Swami Ramdev outlined an ambitious plan to reverse the brain drain and position India as a premier destination for learning. He revealed Patanjali's goal to attract students from nearly 200 countries to study in India, thereby transitioning the nation from being an education-seeking country to a global education hub. The next phase of expansion involves creating a comprehensive global education and university framework under the Patanjali banner.
He expressed confidence that as this vision matures, it will significantly enhance India's cultural and intellectual capital on the world stage, positively impacting even the nation's economic standing and the global perception of its currency and passport.
Three Decades of Perseverance and Service
Acharya Balkrishna took the audience through Patanjali's remarkable three-decade journey, describing it as a mission filled with perseverance, challenges, and dedicated service. He pointed out that the organization's expansive growth across diverse sectors—education, healthcare, agriculture, research, and FMCG—was achieved without government support and in the face of sustained resistance.
He made a notable claim about Patanjali's impact on the consumer goods market, stating that its strong presence forced larger FMCG companies to moderate excessive price hikes, a move that ultimately benefited common consumers. In the agricultural domain, Acharya Balkrishna highlighted that Patanjali pioneered organic farmer training programs across 19 states, with several of its trained farmers receiving national recognition for excellence.
"Attempts to undermine Patanjali have only strengthened our resolve and accelerated our momentum," he affirmed, reinforcing the organization's commitment to its core mission.
A Celebration of Discipline and National Spirit
The Foundation Day event was not just about speeches; it was a vibrant display of discipline and physical prowess. Students from Patanjali's institutions delivered impressive performances in yoga, Mallakhamb, wrestling, martial arts, boxing, judo, and karate. These demonstrations served as a testament to the holistic development model promoted by the organization.
The collective energy of the gathering underscored a renewed and unified commitment to building a self-reliant, value-driven, and globally respected India, echoing the foundational principles upon which Patanjali Yogpeeth was built 32 years ago.
