Kolkata teacher awarded as Best Vedic Teacher Award conferred in the fond memory of Shri Ashok Singhal

Kolkata teacher awarded as Best Vedic Teacher Award conferred in the fond memory of

Shri Ashok Singhal

# On Teachers Day, Shri Gagan Kumar Chattopadhyay of Kolkata was conferred with the Best Vedic Teacher Award, a certificate of appreciation and a cheque of Rs 5 lakh

#Vedic scholars said in unison, "Vedas Above Dharma, the priceless treasure of knowledge"

In the fond memory of Ashokji Singhal, former International President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)  and a flag bearer of Hindutva, the third edition of 'Bharatatma Ashok Singhal Vedic Award' was held at the Chinmaya Mission Auditorium on Teachers' Day on Thursday, 5 September by Singhal Foundation. 

On the birth anniversary of former President, eminent educationist and great philosopher Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, the students, teachers and the Vedic School, who performed brilliantly in the field of Vedic education were awarded and prizes worth lakhs were conferred to them. 

While there are many awards that are instituted at the regional level to promote Vedic education, but 'Bharatatma Ashok Singhal Vedic Award' is the only one that has a pan India outreach. This year around 1000 Vedic schools participated in the selection process and the panellists went through a rigorous process of shortlisting to choose the winners. 

On Teachers' Day, Shri Gagan Kumar Chattopadhyay, a resident of Kolkata, won the award for the best Vedic teacher. Acharya Shri Gagan Kumar Chattopadhyay who is a scholar of Samveda was also handed over a cheque of Rs 5 lakh as prize money. Munikul Brahmacharya Veda Institute located in Bhilwara, Rajasthan was selected as the best Vedic school, while Shri Ajay Joshi, who hails from Telangana, was selected as the best student. Ajay is a student of Rig Veda. 

Shri Gagan Kumar Chattopadhyay after receiving the award said, “Vedas should not be viewed from a religious the point of view. They are far above religion. India and Indianness have the very essence of the Vedas. The study of Vedas leads towards Aatma Gyaan, Brahma Gyaan, Jeevan Gyaan, Sarv Vigyaan (Enlightenment, God's wisdom, life knowledge and all the sciences). The Veda-based education system should be implemented in the country. I am very thankful to Param Pujya Swami Tejomayanand Ji and Singhal Foundation for felicitating me with this honour. I will continue spreading the knowledge and wisdom of Vedas in the entire country until my last breath."

Padma Bhushan Awardee Swami Tejomayanand Ji, the chief guest of the ceremony, said, "Lakshman Ji obediently followed his elder brother Lord Rama all over his life. Similarly, late Ashokji Singhal followed the cause of Ram Janma Bhoomi like Lakshman. These awards in his name are completely justified. Vedas guide us at every single stage of our life and enlighten us. Hence, it is important for one to seek the wisdom and knowledge imparted by the Vedas.”

Singhal Foundation's trustee Salil Singhal said, "Late Ashokji Singhal was a flag bearer of Hindutva. He had a keen interest in the reading of the Vedas. He had complete knowledge of the Vedas. With his effort, many Vedic schools were established in the country. Watching his fondness for the Vedas, the Foundation decided to institute Vedic Awards in his memory."