Kovind hails Satnami saint Ghasidas as a remarkable reformer

President Ram Nath Kovind todaypaid rich tributes to Satnami saint and social reformer Ghasidas, saying that the latter stood up for the poor and downtrodden.
Calling him a remarkable social reformer, Kovind said Ghasidas also fought against social evils and injustice.
He offered prayers at the Giroudpuri Dham, a popular pilgrimage site of the Satnamis, a scheduled caste (SC) community, in Balodabazar district of the state.
The president also laid the foundation stone ofa Samudayik Bhavan (community building) in Giroudpuri, the birth place of Ghasidas, located around 130 kms from the state capital, Raipur.
Kovind was accompanied by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, Assembly Speaker Gaurishankar Agrawal, state ministers and a number of MLAs and MPs.

A 77-metre-tall structure has been erected at the pilgrim centre, which is touted as the highest concrete tower in the country.

After arriving here, the president offered prayers at the dham and attended the 'bhoomi pujan' (ground-breaking ceremony) of the community building, to be built near the centre at an estimated cost of Rs 2.25 crore.
Speaking on the occasion, Kovind hailed the works of Ghasidas, saying he had led the Satnami community as well as the state to a new direction.
"Sant Guru Ghasidas was a remarkable social reformer among the dispersed community of this region almost 200 years ago. He fought against social evils and injustice, and stood up for the poor and downtrodden. His message was simple -- truth and noble conduct are synonyms for god.

"Guru Ghasidas made efforts to eliminate the practice of untouchability and gave a message of brotherhood and social harmony. He also stressed on women's empowerment and supported widow marriage," he said.
Kovind added that the teachings of Ghasidas had provided a direction to social reforms, not only among the Satnami Samaj, but in entire Chhattisgarh.
He expressed confidence that by imbibing the ideals of Ghasidas, the people and government of Chhattisgarh would continue to work towards building a society based on equality and unity.
"The community building, I believe, will turn out to be an important religious centre in the future," he said.

The president expressed hope that the students of the Guru Ghasidas University in Bilaspur, which has been accorded the status of a central university, would propagate the messages and teachings of the saint across the country and abroad.
This was Kovind's second visit to Giroudpuri, but the first one after becoming the president in July.
Earlier, he had visited the place when he was the governor of Bihar.
"Earlier, I had visited the place to take the blessings of Guru Ghasidas when I was the governor of Bihar. This is my first visit to the place after becoming president. But, I have come here not as the president, but a devotee, to take the blessings of the Baba," Kovind said.