Advocating that Gorakhpur be developed as an education hub, President Ram Nath Kovind said on Monday that education was the key to development of the country and without the development of Poorvanchal, Uttar Pradesh could not move ahead.

Addressing the Founder’s Week celebration of Maharana Pratap Shiksha Parishad on the Gorakhnath temple campus in Gorakhpur, the President said that Gorakhnath Peeth had made important contributions in spreading awareness and knowledge in the east UP region. 

“It is high time that Gorakhpur be made an education hub. It should emerge as a platform to spread light of knowledge across eastern UP,” Kovind said   

Speaking about the Maharana Pratap Shiksha Parishad that has been imparting education to children since 1925, the President said, ‘’It has helped in building character of youths by inculcating in them respect for culture, devotion for nation and readiness for social work.” 

Recalling the great men from the region like Paramhans of Nath sect, Sufi saint Roshan Ali Shah, Baba Raghav Das, Munshi Premchand, Ram Prasad Bismil and Firaq Gorakhpuri, Kovind asked the students to follow the path of Maharana Pratap, a Rajput warrior from the Mewar region of Rajasthan.

The President also praised the contribution of saints from Nath sect in the field of education and their contributions to society and during the freedom struggle.

Exhorting students to follow the path shown by Maharana Pratap, Kovind said that UP had the highest number of youth in the country who could change the scenario by contributing in the development of society and making Gorakhpur a knowledge city by 2032. 

On the occasion, the President also honoured 10 meritorious students and a teacher of Maharana Pratap Shiksha Parishad.

Lauding Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for all-round development of Gorakhpur, Kovind said that it was his first visit to the city as President of India but he had been coming here for the last  two decades regularly. 

“The city is fast changing and all credit goes to the Chief Minister,” he said.

The President also expressed sadness on the blocking of roads during his visit to different parts of the country, creating problems for the local people. “This is one reason why I try to visit less places,” he disclosed.

In his address, Governor Ram Naik said that though UP had given nine Prime Ministers, but Kovind was the first President from the state and this was his maiden visit to Gorakhpur.

Calling upon students to be physically active and regular studies, the Governor said that balancing education and physical activity could bring laurels to a student.

Earlier, President Kovind visited Gorakhnath temple and worshipped the deity for about 30 minutes.

Kovind also paid floral tributes at the samadhi of  Mahant Digvijay Nath, who founded the Maharana Pratap Shiksha Parishad, and Mahant Avaidyanath. He is the third President to visit the Gorakhpeeth and the first in the last five decades. 

Later, the President left for New Delhi from Gorakhpur airport.