MAHATMA GANDHI CENTRAL UNIVERSITY

MAHATMA GANDHI CENTRAL UNIVERSITY

Mahatma Gandhi Central University (MGCU) came into existence by an Act of Parliament, Central Universities (Amendment) Act 2014 (No. 35 of 2014). The University became functional on February 3, 2016. MGCU is situated in Motihari (Bankat), on National Highway 28. The logo of MGCUB is a combination of charkha and motto of the name of Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Bihar written as, ‘मयि श्री: श्र्यताम् येशः’. The Charkha is wrapping tricolour yarn spun by its dynamic activities symbolising our national flag, making it a university of national importance. The colour of charkha is depicted in indigo blue connoting the first public movement against colonial rule by Mahatma Gandhi, the Champaran movement (Indigo Movement) one of the significant events of the region. “In addition to the above concepts the design also represents the glowing/ shining sun/ star in the middle. Sun is the source of energy connoting the source of knowledge. Charkha is shown with eight spokes denoting spreading of knowledge and wisdom in all eight directions adding to the slogan of the university. The logo features a shining star and white inward arrows - in charkha pointing towards the centre (people coming together from every direction and converting into shining stars through quality education, spreading knowledge in all directions, self determination and self-reliance. Eight is a very important number in Indian tradition. It is believed that there is a group of eight deities, ‘asta dikpala’ called literally meaning guardians of eight directions. ‘asthang yog’ (eightfold yoga) of Patanjali, ‘sashtang namaskar’ (best salutation with whole body), ‘asht dhatu’ (considered sacred alloy), ‘asth prahar’’ (eight divisions of day), ashtkoniya sthapatya’ (octagonal architecture) are other examples. In Hindu traditions, eight is the number of Adityas, Vastus and forms of Goddess Lakshmi. The Dharmacakra, a Buddhist symbol, has eight spokes. Buddha's principal teaching - the Four Noble Truths - ramifies as the noble eightfold path and Buddha has emphasised upon the importance of the eight attainments. Eight also finds a prominent place in Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Sikhism and Jainism. In Islam, eight is the number of angels carrying the throne of Allah in heaven and the number of gates of bahisht (heaven). In Christianity, Peter 3:20 states that there were eight people on Noah's Ark. The Beatitudes are eight blessings recounted in the sermon on the mount in the Gospel of Matthew. (Matthew 5:1-12). Sukhmani Sahib is part of Shri Granth Sahib and was compiled by the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Shri Arjan Dev Ji. It has exactly one hundred and ninety hymns with twenty four (divisible by eight) sections. Group of eight hymns are known as Ashtpadi in Sikhism. Ashtpadi, literally eight steps, is a music composition with eight lines. “In Jainism, the number of Tirthankars is twenty four (a multiple of eight) and Jain Karma theory classifies karmas into eight types. The motto of MGCU is an inspiring and motivating quote from the Shri Sukta of the Rig-Veda and it means - ‘,I Be Blessed with Prosperity, Name and Fame’.