Page 43 - NIS English 16-31 March, 2026

Rajaji | NATION

Rajaji Utsav at Rashtrapati Bhavan
n The President unveiled photographs and manuscripts
based on the life and works of Rajaji. Visited a book
exhibition. A film on Rajaji’s life was also screened.
n The President and other dignitaries also enjoyed
cultural performances as part of the event.

Freedom from the Mentality of Slavery …When Rajaji started
The statue of C. Rajagopalachari, installed on the grand farming within the
staircase near the Ashok Mandap, opposite the statue of Rashtrapati Bhavan complex
Mahatma Gandhi, has replaced the statue of Edwin Lutyens.
This initiative is part of a series of steps being taken to erase During British rule, the people of India faced
the traces of colonial mentality and proudly embrace India’s numerous calamities like famine and drought.
rich culture, heritage, and timeless traditions.
Even after independence, citizens struggled
with food shortages. Out of compassion for
Changes reflect the government’s his countrymen and to inspire farmers, the
“spirit of service” versatile Rajaji started farming to grow crops
within the Rashtrapati Bhavan complex. He
Raj Bhavan has become Lok Bhavan. The Prime Minister’s set an inspiring example by tilling the fields
Office has become Seva Teerth. The Central Secretariat has himself. Furthermore, his contributions
been transformed into Kartavya Bhavan. Colonial-era criminal to law, the freedom struggle, social and
laws have been amended. A statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra economic reforms, ancient Indian texts,
Bose has been installed near the India Gate. The National War Tamil and English writing, poetry and music,
Memorial has been constructed. These changes are not merely and politics and governance enriched these
symbolic but reflect the government’s “spirit of service.” fields.

A commendable effort, which reflects India’s
resolve to honour those who shaped our destiny and
to shed remnants of a colonial mindset. Rajaji was
a towering scholar, freedom fighter, thinker and
administrator. His life embodied integrity, intellect
and unwavering commitment to the nation

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

and Dehradun have been opened to welcome all knowledge accumulated in texts and manuscripts in
those who seek to know about the traditions of India’s India’s classical languages.
democracy and its rich cultural heritage. The President Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, speaking at the
noted that earlier, portraits of British imperial officials “Rajaji Utsav,” said that by celebrating Rajaji Utsav, we
who exploited India were hung in the corridors of Rash- have achieved another milestone in the path of liber-
trapati Bhavan. Now, the gallery, called the “Param Vir ation from the colonial legacy. India is breaking free
Dirgha,” is adorned with portraits of Param Vir Chakra from colonial influence. This is not a single event; it is a
awardees. The Granth Kutir has been established in continuous transformation in the fields of governance,
Rashtrapati Bhavan to preserve the great tradition of law, education, culture, and national identity. n

March 16-31, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 41