People's Voice

Dr. Rajendra Prasad , President Of India

I am glad to have this opportunity to say a few words about the late Dr. Hari Singh Gour to commemorate whose 8th death anniversary special volume is being brought ut. He was not only one of the foremost jurists but also an indefatigable social reformer and an enlightened educationist. This last trait of his personality came to be known widely only when, donating a major part of his life's earnings, he helped in the establishment of the University of Saugor. In fact, I think that the students and teachers who are the beneficiaries of Dr. Hari Singh Gour's endowment have an excellent source of inspiration in him .

Dr. Dr. S. Radahakrishnan , Vice President of India

When I last visited this University with my collegues of the University EducationCommission, Dr. Harisingh Gour was the Vice-Chancellor. This University owes its existence ti his inspiration and munificence. Inthese days when we are money -mad , his example that wealth is to be used for public good and not for private advantage cannot be over-estimated. Dr. Gour believed in the rights of reason. He was anxious that we should develop a scientific frame of mind , a rational outlook on life. He was deeply distressed by a good deal of superstition and obscurantism that pass for religion in our country. He felt that the social prejudices and religious superstitions which our people adopted in blind unthinking trust were mainly responsible for our degradation, political and economic. Even our ancient wrioters protested against the abuse of religion. Look at the fgollowing verse :

vriksan chitva,pasun hatva
krtva rudhirakardamam
yady evam gamyate svargam
narakam kena gamyate

If one can go to heaven by cutting trees, killing animals and making blood toflow, how, pray, can one go to hell ?This verse is a condemnation of practices repugnant to one's conscience but assumed to be permitted by religion. India was never conqueered from without ; she was defeated from within. It is the unexamined life that led to our suffering.
Dr. Gour believed in education which is the means for the spread of scientific habits of mind, social reform and spiritual outlook. It would please his soul if those who are trained in this University acquire same outlook and democratic behaviour.
Dr. Gour felt that the inspiration for the renewed life should be spiritual as his respect for Buddhism on which he wrote an important work indicates. The crisis of our time lies in our acquisition of vast new powers over ourselves. The problem facin us is : why has not man grown in moral character as well as in intellectual power ? Why is he obsessed by unrelenting hatreds and unceasing fears ? Filght from spiritual life accounts partly for the frenzy of our time. We suffer today not so much from the split atom as from the split mind. Introxicated by the achievements of science we seem to believe in the supremacy of man.
isvaroham aham bhogi siddhoham balavan sukhi.
If the great ideals for which Dr. harisingh Gour lived are adopted by us in our daily lives and acticities, this country would be much better than it happens to be.

should be honoured and cherished by all those who are connected with this institution. On this occasion O offer my homage to this illustrious philanthropist who gave his all for anoble cause, and hope that his example will continue to serve as an inspiration to all the teachers and students of the University of his creation.

Dr. K.N. Katju, Chief Minister , Madhya Pradesh and Chancellor of University of Sagar

Sagar is not only a place of renown in the history of this ancient land but has now become a great seat of learning owing to the munificence of a great member of the legal profession, a great jurist, whose text books will keep alive his name in our annals for many decades to come. By his minificence in founding this University, He has made his name immortal and showen us all how wealth accumulated by a man's own labours should be utilised for the welfare of the community at large. I had the honour of knowing Dr. Hari Singh Gour and I consider it a great privilege today to pay my tribute to his greatness and devoted love of his country. This University is indeed fortunate in that it overs its existence to the selfless patriotism of a great seat of learning is not surprising. Though Dr. Gour is no longer amidst us, his love for this University and the cause of learning it represents will always sustain it and surround it for ever more.