Gorakhpur: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said India’s ancient knowledge tradition had faced repeated attempts at destruction by foreign invaders and colonial policies, and stressed the need to identify, preserve and present the country’s intellectual heritage to the world using documentary evidence and modern technology.“Attacks on temples and centres of learning at different points in history were aimed not only at plundering wealth but also at weakening India’s civilisational and intellectual foundations,” he said while addressing a conference on “Indian Knowledge Tradition in the Contemporary Context” at Mahant Digvijaynath Smriti Bhawan in Gorakhnath Temple complex.The conference marked the opening of a week-long series of programmes being organised to commemorate the 57th death anniversary of Mahant Digvijaynath and the 12th death anniversary of Mahant Avaidyanath.Referring to Mahmud Ghaznavi’s attack on the Somnath Temple, he remarked that the objective of destroying the temple was not merely plunder, but also to destroy the Sanatan tradition.CM noted that during the British period, method changed. “Indians were confused about their language, medical system and knowledge tradition. English was given importance in place of Sanskrit and modern medicine was given importance in place of traditional medical practices. As a result, we gradually became disconnected from our traditions, values and roots.”Yogi said India’s knowledge systems had made pioneering contributions in fields ranging from language, grammar and economics to astronomy, science, medicine and technology. Ancient centres of learning, he said, produced scholars of global stature, and preserving this heritage would enable India to make a greater contribution to global welfare.Referring to sages, scholars and traditional institutions of learning, he said Indian civilisation had always encouraged reflection on the past, present and future, while viewing knowledge as a path to liberation rather than merely a means of material advancement.The chief minister said India was once regarded as a “Vishwaguru” because of its rich intellectual traditions. He cited ancient universities such as Taxila and Nalanda, and noted that centres including Kashi, Ujjain and Kanchi played a pivotal role in advancing knowledge. He also described Kumbh as a platform where saints and scholars exchanged ideas and shared learning.Highlighting recent initiatives, Yogi credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with promoting yoga globally and strengthening traditional systems of medicine through Ayush Ministry.“Efforts are also underway to preserve manuscripts, inscriptions and other historical records linked to India’s knowledge heritage,” he said.According to the chief minister, more than one lakh ancient manuscripts are being preserved and digitised at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University in Varanasi. Similar heritage material has also been identified in temples, monasteries and private collections across Uttar Pradesh.Chief guest Jagadguru Vishwesh Prapannacharya Maharaj of Ayodhya described India as an unparalleled repository of knowledge and emphasised the need to preserve its foundational values in the digital age.Keynote speaker Prof V Ramanathan of IIT-BHU said India’s civilisation had evolved on the strength of its knowledge traditions and called for renewed engagement with that legacy.Former Uttar Pradesh Higher Education Service Commission chairperson Prof Ishwar Sharan Vishwakarma said National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 had created new opportunities for integrating Indian knowledge systems into higher education.
