Amit Shah Inaugurates ₹200 Cr Bengaluru Campus of Adichunchanagiri Univ

In a landmark step toward holistic development in education and healthcare, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurated the new Bengaluru campus of Adichunchanagiri University (ACU) in Karnataka. The campus, constructed at a cost of ₹200 crore, spans 20 lakh square feet across 16 acres, and is designed to accommodate 4,000 students. It houses a state-of-the-art 1,500-bed multi-specialty hospital offering both high-end medical treatment and extensive charitable care to underserved populations.

A Temple of Learning and Healing

During the inauguration, Shri Shah lauded the university and its affiliated Shri Adichunchanagiri Mutt for its unwavering dedication to social welfare. He highlighted that this newly developed campus represents the fusion of India's spiritual heritage with modern innovation. The 1,500-bed hospital, which includes departments for cardiology, neurosurgery, oncology, and even transplant services such as kidney, liver, and cornea, is positioned to be a model for affordable, high-quality healthcare.

The Mutt has made this hospital accessible to the poor with free or subsidized treatments, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision that healthcare must not be a burden on India’s economically disadvantaged.

Spiritual Values Guiding Social Upliftment

Shri Shah emphasized the cultural ethos of "Sarva Jan Hitaya, Sarva Jan Sukhaya"—well-being and happiness for all. He noted that the Adichunchanagiri Mutt, under the leadership of Jagadguru Shri Dr. Balagangadharanatha Swamiji and now Dr. Nirmalanandanatha Mahaswamiji, has preserved a 1,800-year-old spiritual legacy while actively contributing to social welfare, education, and healthcare.

“The Mutt is not just a spiritual center, but a comprehensive service institution,” Shri Shah said. He praised its integration of nine pillars of service—Anna (food), Akshara (education), Arogya (health), Adhyatmika (spirituality), Aashraya (shelter), Aranya (environment), Aakaalu (disaster relief), Anukampa (compassion), and Anubandh (community connection)—as a blueprint for all religious and service-oriented institutions.

Holistic Education with Social Impact

Highlighting the Mutt’s educational vision, Amit Shah spoke of the free lodging and schooling facilities provided to underprivileged students, many of whom have gone on to attain respectable positions in society. The newly inaugurated ACU campus continues this legacy by offering modern educational resources, while instilling traditional Indian values and cultural grounding in its students.

He called the university a national asset, stating, “This institution not only charts the course for thousands of students but is rapidly emerging as one of India’s premier universities, committed to excellence and equity.”

Health as a Pillar of Poverty Alleviation

Shri Shah reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision that illness is one of the biggest causes of poverty, and tackling healthcare costs is essential for uplifting the poor. He mentioned the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which provides ₹5 lakh of free treatment annually to 60 crore Indians, and other transformative initiatives such as:

• 12 crore household toilets built under the Swachh Bharat Mission

• Fit India Movement promoting active lifestyles

• International Day of Yoga for physical and mental wellness

• Mission Indradhanush, ensuring free childhood immunization

• Poshan Abhiyan, targeting nutrition for mothers and children

• Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana, offering medicines at 20% of market price at over 15,000 centres

Medical Education Revolution

Minister Shah highlighted the surge in India’s medical education sector under PM Modi:

• AIIMS institutes increased from 7 to 23

• Medical colleges from 387 to 780

• MBBS seats more than doubled from 51,000 to 1,18,000

• Postgraduate seats from 31,000 to 74,000

These efforts, he noted, ensure a sustainable pipeline of trained medical professionals, serving both rural and urban India with improved capacity.

A Model of Tradition Empowering Modern India

Shri Shah praised the visionary leadership of Dr. Nirmalanandanatha Mahaswamiji, who has successfully carried forward the Mutt’s legacy of service through spirituality, and now extends that mission to education and health innovation. The new Bengaluru campus of Adichunchanagiri University stands as a shining example of a harmonious blend of tradition, science, and compassion, offering a transformative space for future generations.