Rishihood University, an upcoming new university at Sonepat, had its formal inauguration ceremony on December 18, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi with the Vice President of India Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu doing the much awaited ceremonial honor of declaring the university open. Modeled on the ancient universities like Takshashila for higher learning and soical impact, Rishihood University according to its promoters is an effort to rebuild Takshashila for the coming centuries, reimagining education, and rebuilding Bharat. Rishiwood University was set up in early 2019.
On the occasion, Naidu said: “For any country to flourish and develop, it is important to draw from its roots. I’m happy to be inaugurating Rishihood University today, and I congratulate all faculty and students at this educational institution.” The university so far has launched the Center for Water, Center for Innovation in Governance, a gap year program for high school graduates, faculty development programs for K12 and higher education, etc
The name Rishihood signifies the state of being a Rishi and is derived from the inspirational discourses of Swami Vivekananda, who is the philosophical mentor to the Sonipat-based University. It has conceived a paradigm of education that will prepare ‘rishis’ or a generation of leaders who became a blessing to mankind through their thoughts and positive action. The University provides world-class education in academic areas including creativity, entrepreneurship, education, healthcare, and public leadership.
Suresh Prabhu, former minister and Founding Chancellor of Rishihood University, while hosting the ceremony added that “India’s spiritual wisdom provides solutions to many of the pressing problems of today such as sustainability, mental health, global peace, and harmony. As the name signifies, our objective is to inspire the students, faculty, and the community to attain ‘Rishihood’, the state of being a Rishi. Passionate and conscious individuals can create prosperous and harmonious societies. I am delighted to support this mission as the founding Chancellor.”
Founding members Motilal Oswal, Dr Chinmay Pandya, and Ashok Goel, also expressed their thoughts at the event.
Books authored by Rishihood faculty members and founders were released by the Vice President. Ajay Gupta, co-founder of Rishihood University and founder of Bachpan Playschools, has written a book titled ‘Decoding the Business Mind’ that talks about entrpreprenurship, wealth creation, and Atmanirbhar Bharat. Professor Sampadananda Misra, a sanskrit and philosophy scholar at Rashtram School of Public Leadership, Rishihood University, has put up a coffee-table book on the rishi tradition of India, documenting one of the largest series of rishis in ancient India.
