Valmiki Jayanti: Karnataka renames govt schools, Raichur University after sage

On a Thursday (October 17) that resonated with historical homage and cultural reverence, Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took to the stage to make a landmark announcement. The chief minister announced that in honour of the revered sage Maharishi Valmiki, all government-run residential schools across Karnataka will soon be adorned with a new identity and rebranded as Maharishi Valmiki Residential Schools.

'Deep respect'

But the homage didn’t end there. Raichur University, a key academic institution in the state, will also embrace this transformation, being renamed Maharishi Valmiki University, in a nod to the great sage's legacy.

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"This is not just a renaming; it’s a reflection of the deep respect we have for Maharishi Valmiki and his enduring contributions to our culture," said Siddaramaiah, as quoted by news agency ANI.

Red-letter day

The announcement came on a day imbued with importance — Valmiki Jayanti. Earlier in the day, Siddaramaiah paid his respects, offering a garland at a statue of the sage, an act that symbolised the state’s collective gratitude.

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In a poetic gesture, Karnataka made a promise to etch Valmiki’s name across its educational landscape, fostering an era of enlightenment in his honour.

Valmiki, revered as the Adi Kavi or the first poet of Sanskrit literature, is traditionally credited as the author of the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana. This monumental work, consisting of 24,000 verses, narrates the life, virtues, and adventures of Lord Rama, one of the most revered deities in Hinduism.