The Rajaji Utsav, a celebration of the life and legacy of India's first Governor-General, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, is being held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. On this occasion, President Droupadi Murmu unveiled a statue of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The statue of Rajaji, located on the Grand Staircase near Ashok Mandap, replaced the statue of Edwin Lutyens.
Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, Union Ministers Jagat Prakash Nadda, Dr S Jaishankar, Dharmendra Pradhan, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Dr L Murugan, along with members of the Chakravarti Rajagopalachari family, were also present at the event.
Addressing the gathering, President Murmu stated that Chakravarti Rajagopalachari was a great son of India. President Murmu added that Rajaji possessed multifaceted creativity and several dimensions. His contributions to the legal profession, the freedom struggle, social and economic reforms, ancient Indian scriptures, politics, and governance greatly enriched them.
President Droupadi Murmu noted that Chakravarti Rajagopalachari had left an indelible mark on the country's history. The President emphasized that working on the ideals of Rajaji would be the truest tribute one could pay to him. The President further expressed hope that the people of the country would draw inspiration from Rajaji's life and legacy and move forward with the spirit of putting the Nation First.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan said that India's move away from colonial influence is not a single event; it is an ongoing transformation across governance, law, education, culture, and national identity. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of freedom from colonial mindset has been translated into action through several initiatives. Vice President highlighted that Raj Bhavans are becoming Lok Bhavans, the PMO is evolving in Seva Teerth, and the Central Secretariat is being transformed into Kartavya Bhavan, which are reflections of the government’s spirit of Seva Bhawna.
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat read Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message on the occasion, in which the Prime Minister described the unveiling of Rajaji's statue in the historic central courtyard of Rashtrapati Bhavan as a moment of immense pride for the people of the country. The Prime Minister further noted that the Rajaji Utsav celebrations, encompassing a book and panel exhibition, film screening, and a series of cultural performances, stand as a tribute to the towering legacy of the great leader.
Addressing the occasion, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L Murugan said that Rajaji's intellectual depth, moral courage, and unwavering commitment to national service continue to inspire generations. The Minister added that he was not only a political visionary but also a cultural builder through his translation of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata into English and Tamil languages.