Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah today inaugurated the Bengaluru campus of Adichunchanagiri University (ACU) in Karnataka, hailing it as a milestone in the pursuit of affordable healthcare and education for all.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Shah praised the efforts of the Adichunchanagiri Mutt in upholding the cultural ideal of “Sarva Jan Hitaya, Sarva Jan Sukhaya” — the welfare and happiness of all. He commended the Mutt’s initiatives in running health centres in rural areas, offering free medical treatment to the underprivileged, and setting up educational institutions for children.
The newly inaugurated campus, constructed at a cost of ₹200 crore, spans 20 lakh square feet over 16 acres and is designed to accommodate 4,000 students. It houses a modern 1,000-bed hospital that offers comprehensive healthcare facilities, including free and affordable treatment for the poor. In his address, the Home Minister said this establishment would emerge as a true centre of service through its integration of education and healthcare.
Shah paid tribute to Jagadguru Dr. Balagangadharanatha Swamiji for preserving and enhancing the 1,800-year-old spiritual heritage of the sacred Adichunchanagiri Hills by intertwining it with service and education. He also lauded the continued efforts of Dr. Nirmalanandanatha Mahaswamiji in carrying forward this legacy.
He noted that the Mutt’s work has fostered a deep connection with thousands of families, especially from poor and middle-income backgrounds, by promoting spirituality and Karma Yoga through community service. The Mutt’s holistic outreach is based on nine key pillars — Anna (food), Akshara (education), Arogya (health), Adhyatmika (spirituality), Aashraya (shelter), Aranya (environment), Aakaalu (disaster relief), Anukampa (compassion), and Anubandh (social connection). According to Shah, this inclusive approach has significantly strengthened social unity and serves as a model for other religious and cultural institutions.
Highlighting the university’s role in combining tradition with innovation, he emphasized its efforts in reconnecting the youth with India’s cultural roots while equipping them with cutting-edge education. He credited Mahaswami Ji with ensuring that students not only receive quality education but also free accommodation, giving them an opportunity to lead dignified lives. The university, he said, has become one of the country’s premier institutions, offering advanced medical care at low cost. The 1,500-bed hospital includes facilities for critical care, cardiology, neurosurgery, oncology, and complex transplants like kidney, liver, and cornea.
Shah further highlighted the Modi Government’s commitment to healthcare reform. Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier remarks that illness and its related expenses are among the leading causes of poverty, he stated that Modi’s vision had materialized through initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which now provides free treatment of up to ₹5 lakh to 60 crore citizens.
He elaborated on other major health and welfare initiatives launched under PM Modi’s leadership, including the construction of nearly 12 crore household toilets, the Fit India Movement, the celebration of International Day of Yoga, and the Mission Indradhanush vaccination campaign for children up to 15 years of age. He also mentioned the Poshan Abhiyan, which addresses maternal and child nutrition, and the Jan Aushadhi Yojana, through which essential medicines are available at just 20% of market prices at over 15,000 locations.
In addition, Shah pointed to the dramatic expansion of medical education infrastructure in the country. Since 2014, the number of AIIMS institutions has increased from 7 to 23, medical colleges from 387 to 780, MBBS seats from 51,000 to 1,18,000, and postgraduate medical seats from 31,000 to 74,000.
