Union Home Minister Amit Shah delivered a stirring speech in Rishikesh on Wednesday, inaugurating the 100th anniversary edition of ‘Kalyan’ magazine published by Gita Press. Addressing a distinguished gathering that included Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, Shah advocated safeguarding Sanatana Dharma through scholarly debate and reasoning rather than vocal protests.
Shah began his visit with darshan at Laxminarayan Temple and rituals by the holy Ganga, setting a devotional tone. He portrayed Gita Press as a global touchstone for lovers of Indian heritage, crediting founder Hanuman Prasad Poddar for sustaining Dharma’s light over a century.
Poddar, Shah noted, forsook personal comforts to devote himself entirely to Gita Press, guiding countless souls from bhakti to spiritual liberation. His efforts instilled profound reverence for Bharat’s traditions in families worldwide.
Marking ‘Kalyan’s’ centennial as an extraordinary feat, Shah commended its unwavering commitment to Sanatana values. From inception, it has bridged ancient wisdom – like Shankaracharya’s interpretations – to contemporary readers, adapting without compromising purity across four generations.
During British rule, when religion faced ridicule, Poddar responded with enlightened discourse via ‘Kalyan’, embodying universal welfare. Shah reiterated: ‘Opponents challenged us with aggression; we replied with logic, shastra, and tranquility. Sanatana’s shield is intellect, not uproar.’
Eschewing commercialization, Gita Press prioritized ideology. Shah quoted its lesson: societies are built on enlightened words, radiant with satya and sattva. He connected this to national progress under Modi, spotlighting Ayodhya’s towering Ram Mandir – erected after 550 years – and the rebuilt Kashi Vishwanath, proving devotion’s superior might.
Shah’s address not only honored Gita Press but inspired a renewed focus on rational, rooted defense of cultural identity in turbulent times.