President and Prime Minister greet nation on Guru Ravidas Jayanti

25 February, 2013

Nation observed Guru Ravidas Jayanti on Sunday. President Pranab Mukherjee greeted the people on this occasion and hoped that Guru's teachings will inspire everyone to lead a life of service to humanity. According to Mukherjee, Guru led a life of faith and devotion and considered service to man as service to god.

“On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas ji, a great saint and religious reformer, the nation recalls with pride his ceaseless struggle to eradicate the evils of casteism and establish a classless society,” said Mukherjee.

The president added, “He espoused the cause of the downtrodden and worked untiringly to establish peace, harmony and brotherhood in society.”

The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has also greeted the nation on Guru Ravidas Jayanti saying that Guru Ravidasji's message of universal brotherhood and tolerance are very relevant today.

"His life, a lesson in simplicity and piety, is an inspiration to work for equality and fraternity. May Guru Ravidas ji's teachings guide us to build a more just and tolerant society," the Prime Minister added.

Guru Ravidas was a mystic of the bhakti movement, who was active in the 15th century CE in the region of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, made lasting impact upon society through his devotional songs. His poems are available in the Sikh scriptures and Shri Guru Granth Sahib contains 41 verses by Guru Ravidas.

Guru Ravidas was also a social reformist and preached that one should not be distinguished by one's caste but by one's actions. He believed that every person has the right to worship God and read holy texts irrespective of caste and gender. He also raised voice against the system of untouchability during his times.