CM Yogi Adityanath Praises Ashram System as Source of Real MBA Education
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of Uttar Pradesh participated in the Sri Vigrah Murti installation ceremony of Swami Satyamitranand Giri Ji Maharaj in Haridwar on Friday. During the event, he extolled the virtues of the ashram system, asserting that it provides the genuine knowledge of management, akin to an MBA.
Ashram System: The Foundation of Administrative Expertise
Yogi Adityanath addressed questions about his lack of formal administrative experience by highlighting his association with the ashram tradition. He stated, "People often inquire how I manage Uttar Pradesh without prior administrative training. My response is rooted in the ashram system. India's sanyasis acquire administration skills—a true MBA education—from this system. This is why UP has transformed from a state plagued by lawlessness into a model of development and effective governance."
He emphasized that the roots of India's administrative, economic, and cultural strength lie in the ashram and gurukul traditions. These systems offer practical knowledge in diverse fields such as:
- Agriculture
- Astronomy
- Ayurveda
- Crafts
- Administration
Historical Context and Economic Decline
While acknowledging India's current status as the world's third-largest economy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Yogi Adityanath reflected on historical economic dominance. He noted that 2000 years ago, India contributed 44% to the global economy, which declined to about 25% just 400 years back. He credited India's sages, farmers, and craftspeople for this past prosperity.
The Chief Minister attributed the subsequent decline to foreign invasions and a departure from original values. He explained, "Foreign invaders set India back, and once Indians abandoned their core values, the nation's downfall commenced." He referenced the Supreme Court's adherence to the principle "where there is dharma, there is victory," adding that dharma is never inherently weak but is deliberately undermined.
Uttar Pradesh's Transformation Through Heritage Respect
Using Uttar Pradesh as an example, Yogi Adityanath described a period when the state's heritage was disrespected, including incidents where bullets were fired at Ram devotees. "This was not merely an insult to devotees but a affront to India's heritage and spiritual values," he asserted. The consequence, he said, was that UP became a hub of lawlessness, loot, and riots.
He claimed that law and order were restored only when his government began honoring heritage. Sites like Ayodhya, Kashi, Mathura-Vrindavan, Prayagraj, Haridwar, Badrinath Dham, and Kedarnath Dham are not just centers of faith but of national consciousness. "India draws strength from these places. By promoting them with respect, UP, which was long ailing, is now advancing as a breakthrough in India's economy," he stated.
Village-Based Economy and Gram Swaraj
Yogi Adityanath highlighted India's historical village-based economy, where villages were self-reliant units without external interference or dependency on grants. He praised self-employment as India's core strength, describing it as a robust model of gram swaraj-based governance with equal economic participation for women.
He lamented that invaders introduced a profit-based economy that destroyed local production and replaced self-employment with a tax-based system. "As we drifted from the ashram system, craftspeople were enslaved, and farmers bore such a heavy burden of dependence that some were driven to suicide. We must recall the concept of gram swaraj, as undermining villages shakes a nation's foundation," he warned.
Seers Hail Yogi as 'Lion of UP'
At the event, seers referred to Yogi Adityanath as "the lion of Uttar Pradesh," describing him as beneficial to all. They noted, "Since Yogi Adityanath took office, an atmosphere reminiscent of Ram Rajya is evident in UP. Today, fear, lawlessness, and frenzy are absent from the state."
Juna Peethadhishwar Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj expressed confidence in India's future under leaders like Narendra Modi, Rajnath Singh, and Yogi Adityanath. He predicted that India would regain the glory it enjoyed during the eras of Harshvardhan and Vikramaditya.
