Delhi, December 26 (IPR): Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Veer Bal Diwas Celebrations held this afternoon at the Bharat Mandapam in Delhi.
The celebrations commenced with cultural performances, including regional dances and skits executed by students. A rendition of the National Song, ‘Vande Mataram,’ was also featured.
Prime Minister Modi began his speech by welcoming the dignitaries and the youth gathered from across the country. He acknowledged the beautiful rendition of “Vande Mataram” and then transitioned to the core purpose of the day, remembering the Sahibzades, whom he described as the pride of India. The Sahibzades were the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, revered for their courage and supreme sacrifice in standing up for faith and righteousness.
He highlighted that the young Sahibzades broke the barriers of age to stand like a rock against the oppressive Mughal Sultanate, shaking the foundations of religious fanaticism and terror. He remarked that a nation with such a glorious past and a youth inspired by such a legacy can achieve anything.
Mr Modi expressed satisfaction that the government established "Veer Bal Diwas" to bring the story of the Sahibzades to the new generation. This day also serves as a platform for recognising talented youth through the ‘Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar’. He congratulated the 20 award winners present, noting their contributions in bravery, social service, science, technology, art, and culture. He also expressed his appreciation for the teachers, mentors and parents of the recipients.
Prime Minister Modi reflected on the enduring legacy of the colonial mindset introduced by British politician Thomas Macaulay in 1835, noting that its influence lingered well beyond Independence. He observed that this inherited outlook is now gradually giving way to a renewed sense of confidence and self-belief across India.
The Prime Minister noted that 2035 would mark 200 years of Macaulay's influence. He set a goal for India to be completely free of this colonial mindset within the next 10 years.
Additionally, Mr Modi praised the recent trend in Parliament where MPs spoke in various Indian regional languages (Tamil, Marathi, Bengali, etc.), signaling a shift away from the dominance of English and a return to valuing India's linguistic diversity.
Addressing the youth as Gen Z and Gen Alpha, the Prime Minister expressed immense trust in them. He declared that these younger generations would be the architects of a ‘Viksit Bharat.’ He quoted a Sanskrit proverb, ‘Baladapi Gahitavyam’, meaning "wisdom should be accepted even from a child." He encouraged the youth not to be distracted by "short-term popularity" but to focus on goals that contributed to the nation's success.
The Prime Minister also listed various government initiatives designed for the youth that would lead to development in the coming years:
• My Bharat Platform: For leadership development.
• Digital India & Startup India: For technology and innovation.
• Khelo India: For sports excellence.
• National Education Policy (NEP): For holistic education reform.
He emphasised that the NEP shifted from rote learning to practical thinking and inquiry, with the option to study in one’s mother tongue, making learning easier.
Mr Modi concluded his speech by stating that the Sahibzades did not care how difficult the path was, they only cared if the path was right. He called on the youth to dream big, work hard, and never let their confidence waver. He again congratulated the award winners before ending his speech.
Earlier, Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Ms Annpurna Devi, delivered the welcome address.
The programme witnessed the participation from school children, Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar awardees, and dignitaries from across the country. Cultural performances that showcased India's rich heritage and the spirit of bravery formed an integral part of the celebrations.
In 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that December 26 would be observed annually as Veer Bal Diwas to ensure that the courage of the Sahibzades was remembered across generations.
Report from DIO-GANGTOK