All government residential schools, Raichur University in Karnataka renamed
What's the story
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday announced that all government residential schools in the state will be renamed Maharishi Valmiki Residential Schools.
The announcement was made on Valmiki Jayanti, a day to pay homage to Maharishi Valmiki, the revered author of the Ramayana.
Raichur University will also be renamed Maharishi Valmiki University henceforth.
Tribute
CM Siddaramaiah pays tribute to Maharishi Valmiki
In a series of X posts, CM Siddaramaiah paid his respects to Valmiki.
He wrote, "Let the life and achievements of Dalit genius, Adi Kavi Valmiki, who wrote the epic Ramayana and showed that talent is not a gift of birth, but an achievement, be an inspiration to all of us."
The Karnataka CM also announed that five achievers from Scheduled Caste and distinguished service in various fields have been selected for Shri Maharshi Valmiki Award.
Twitter Post
Five achievers from Scheduled Cast
ಶ್ರೀ ಮಹರ್ಷಿ ವಾಲ್ಮೀಕಿ ಅವರ ಸ್ಮರಣಾರ್ಥ ಪರಿಶಿಷ್ಟ ವರ್ಗದ ಏಳ್ಗೆಗರ ಹಾಗೂ ವಿವಿಧ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಗುರುತರ ಸೇವೆಗೈದ ಐವರು ಸಾಧಕರನ್ನು ಶ್ರೀ ಮಹರ್ಷಿ ವಾಲ್ಮೀಕಿ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿಗೆ ಆಯ್ಕೆ ಮಾಡಲಾಗಿದೆ.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) October 17, 2024
ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿ ವಿಜೇತ ಸಾಧಕರುಗಳಾದ ಕಿಲಾರಿ ಜೋಗಯ್ಯ, ಡಾ.ರತ್ನಮ್ಮ .ಎಸ್, ರಾಜಶೇಖರ ತಳವಾರ, ಕೆ. ಎಸ್. ಮೃತ್ಯುಂಜಯ ಹಾಗೂ ಶ್ರೀಮತಿ ರತ್ನಮ್ಮ ಬಿ.… pic.twitter.com/5A0rDzTUfd
Celebration
Valmiki Jayanti: A day of reverence and celebration
Valmiki Jayanti is an important day in many parts of India. Many state governments have announced a local holiday for schools to celebrate the day.
According to reports, schools and colleges in Uttar Pradesh are closed, while states like Punjab, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh also announced public holiday.
The celebrations usually involve processions and tableaux held in different parts to pay tribute to Maharishi Valmiki's contributions.
Mythology
The mythological significance of Maharishi Valmiki
A popular myth surrounding Valmiki's name goes that while he was lost in meditation, termites built mounds around him.
His name "Valmiki" comes from the Sanskrit word for termite mound.
In the epic Ramayana, after Lord Ram abandoned Sita, she took refuge in Valmiki's ashram where he also taught her sons, Luv and Kush.