Tribute Paid on 169th Birth Anniversary of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Udaipur: The 169th birth anniversary of Indian nationalist, teacher, social reformer, and freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak was solemnly observed on Wednesday at the campus of Lokmanya Tilak Teachers' Training College, a constituent unit of Janardan Rai Nagar Rajasthan Vidyapeeth.

A floral tribute was paid to the statue of Tilak by Vice Chancellor Prof. Shiv Singh Sarangdevot, Chancellor Bhanwar Lal Gurjar, former Vice Chancellor of Sukhadia University Prof. B.L. Choudhary, Principal Prof. Saroj Garg, Dr. Balidan Jain, Dr. Ami Rathore, Dr. Rachna Rathore, and Dr. Bhuralal Shrimali.

The occasion also marked the 55th Tilak Asan Lecture Series, focusing on the theme: “Environmental Conservation and Indian Perspective.” In his address, Vice Chancellor Prof. S.S. Sarangdevot emphasized the interrelation between water, forest, land, and the five elements (Panchatatva), explaining the Indian knowledge systems and traditional Vedic approaches to environmental conservation. He urged a reflection on life practices based on Indian spiritual and cultural traditions and stressed adopting self-governance as a foundation for national and industrial progress.

Delivering the keynote lecture, Prof. B.L. Choudhary, former Vice Chancellor of Mohanlal Sukhadia University, highlighted Tilak’s life and the contemporary relevance of his thoughts. He explained, through the Upanishads, that natural resources should be used with a spirit of renunciation, ensuring sustainability for future generations. He elaborated on Yajna, Yoga, and medicinal plants as key to understanding environmental intricacies and reviewed various projects and efforts for environmental protection with a critical outlook.

Presiding over the session, Chancellor B.L. Gurjar called for neutral and constructive collaborative efforts from both the public and government sectors to restore environmental balance.

Earlier, Principal Prof. Saroj Garg welcomed the guests, noting that the Tilak Asan Lecture Series has been held continuously for the past 54 years, attracting scholars from India and abroad.

Dr. Harish Chaubisa conducted the program, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Rachna Rathore.