"Munshiji demonstrated excellence in diverse fields....He was a writer, speaker, novelist, lawyer, teacher, indologist, constitutional expert, statesman, patriot and a promoter and sustainer of cultural, ethical and moral values," Mukherjee said while speaking at a function here to mark the platinum jubilee of the institute and 125th birth anniversary of its founder.
Saying that BVB had been "a beacon light guiding Indians and foreigners alike in their path to live a balanced and wholesome life", Mukherjee said Munshi's endeavour of establishing the institute in 1938 was "one of the most important steps in a series of selfless efforts put in by him in emancipating the citizenry of this nation".
BVB, with 119 centres in India and seven abroad, was fulfilling Munshi's dream of promoting ethical and spiritual values in day to day life successfully, he said.
"Munshiji's contribution as Union Minister of Food and Agriculture from 1950-52 and as Governor of Uttar Pradesh from 1952 to 1957 were invaluable," the President said, adding that he also made a great contribution to the shaping of the Constitution.
The President also said that Munshi was among the three great dreamers of the country.
"One was Mahatma Gandhi himself, who dreamt of a world without violence, a world of love and compassion. The second dreamer was Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who dreamt of an India strong, united and democratic, while Munshiji was the third dreamer. He dreamt of a cultural renaissance built on modifying the spiritual heritage of our country to suit modern conditions." (More)