Bhubaneswar: The Mumbai Odia Samaj on Saturday urged the Union Government to set up four Hindu universities at the four dhams of Puri, Dwaraka, Rameswaram and Badrinath for promotion of Hindu theology and spiritualism. “We urge the Union Human Resources Development Ministry to establish at least four Hindu Universities at four main dhams of Hinduism, Puri (in the east), Dwaraka (in the west), Rameswaram (in the south) and Badrinath (in the north) on line of Banaras Hindu University (BHU),” said Samaj president Bipin Mishra to mediapersons here.
“While foundation stones are laid for three more campuses of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Malappuram in Kerala, Kishanganj in Bihar and Jangipur, Murshidabad in West Bengal, then why the Union Government will not set up Hindu Universities at four places,” asked Mishra. “Like in Banaras, many scholars with deep knowledge on various subjects, including ancient Shastras, Darshana, Aesthetics, Astronimics, Literatures are staying in Puri and other dhams.
For example, Raghurajpur village near Puri is abounding with artists and artisans of various forms such as master painters and classical dancers, classical musicians. Similarly, Puri has now become a world center for Sand Art. Hence, we sincerely urged the Government to ensure establishment of a Hindu University at Puri along with three other dhams with subjects like Hindu theology, spiritualism as well as modern subjects such as Business Administration, Law, Medical and subjects related to Culture, Fine Arts, Performance Arts,” said member of the Samaj and noted film maker Santosh Gour. He also urged the State Government to take up the issue with the Union Government for the purpose.