V-P Radhakrishnan pays tributes to Gandhi, Shastri and Kamaraj on 2 October
Synopsis
On 2 October 2026, Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan traversed three venues — Rajghat, Vijay Ghat, and Uprashtrapati Bhavan — to honour Gandhi, Shastri, and Kamaraj. The rare convergence of two birth anniversaries and one death anniversary on a single date offered a panoramic view of India's post-independence moral and political heritage.
Key Takeaways
Radhakrishnan paid floral tributes at Rajghat , Vijay Ghat , and Uprashtrapati Bhavan on 2 October 2026 .
He described Mahatma Gandhi's legacy as 'an enduring beacon of peace, compassion, selflessness and service.' Lal Bahadur Shastri was recalled as a leader of 'quiet strength,' with his slogan 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' cited as enduring recognition of soldiers and farmers.
Kamaraj was honoured on his death anniversary for introducing the mid-day meal programme and expanding roads, education, dams and industrial estates in Tamil Nadu.
2 October simultaneously marks Gandhi Jayanti, Shastri Jayanti, and Kamaraj's death anniversary.
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan on 2 October 2026 paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Kamaraj, urging citizens to recommit themselves to the values of non-violence, truth and justice. The tributes marked Gandhi's birth anniversary, Shastri's birth anniversary, and Kamaraj's death anniversary — all observed on the same date.
Homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat
At Rajghat in New Delhi, Vice-President Radhakrishnan laid flowers at Gandhi's memorial, describing his life and message as 'an enduring beacon of peace, compassion, selflessness and service,' according to an official statement. He called upon the nation to reaffirm its commitment to the ideals Gandhi championed and to work toward building a just, harmonious and inclusive society.
Remembering Lal Bahadur Shastri at Vijay Ghat
At Vijay Ghat, Radhakrishnan paid tributes to Shastri, characterising him as 'a leader of quiet strength and extraordinary resolve' who exemplified humility, integrity and an unwavering commitment to India. The Vice-President recalled how Shastri's leadership instilled confidence and national unity at a defining moment in the country's history. He particularly highlighted Shastri's rallying call of 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' — a slogan that, in Radhakrishnan's words, gave enduring recognition to the sacrifices of soldiers and the vital contributions of farmers. 'Lal Bahadur Shastri's life remains a powerful reminder that true leadership is rooted in simplicity, courage and service to the nation,' the statement quoted the Vice-President as saying.
Tribute to K. Kamaraj at Uprashtrapati Bhavan
Later in the day, Radhakrishnan paid tribute to K. Kamaraj at an event held at Uprashtrapati Bhavan, marking the statesman's death anniversary. Describing Kamaraj as 'a towering statesman and a true people's leader,' the Vice-President said he devoted his entire life to national service and the welfare of ordinary citizens. Radhakrishnan recalled Kamaraj's lasting contributions to Tamil Nadu's development — including the expansion of roads and educational institutions, the introduction of the mid-day meal programme, and new hope he brought to the lives of the poor. He also highlighted Kamaraj's role in irrigation and industrial growth through the construction of dams and the establishment of industrial estates, which laid the foundations for agricultural and industrial progress in the state.
The significance of 2 October
2 October occupies a unique place in India's civic calendar: it is simultaneously observed as Gandhi Jayanti, Shastri Jayanti, and, this year, Kamaraj's death anniversary. The convergence of the three commemorations draws attention to distinct but complementary threads of India's post-independence political tradition — Gandhian non-violence, Shastri's agrarian nationalism, and Kamaraj's grassroots welfare politics in the South. Radhakrishnan's tributes across three separate venues underscored the occasion's multi-layered significance.
Point of View
But the choice to explicitly link Gandhi, Shastri and Kamaraj in a single day's public engagements carries quiet political messaging — projecting continuity across ideological traditions at a time when the ruling dispensation is often accused of selectively appropriating national icons. Kamaraj's inclusion at Uprashtrapati Bhavan is particularly notable: a Congress-era figure from Tamil Nadu being honoured at the highest constitutional level can be read as an outreach gesture toward southern voters. Whether the tributes translate into substantive policy alignment with the values being invoked — non-violence, agrarian welfare, grassroots development — is a question that official statements, by design, never answer.
NationPress
3 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Vice-President Radhakrishnan pay tributes on 2 October 2026?
2 October marks both Gandhi Jayanti and the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, and also fell on the death anniversary of K. Kamaraj this year. Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan paid separate floral tributes at Rajghat, Vijay Ghat, and Uprashtrapati Bhavan to honour all three leaders.
What did Vice-President Radhakrishnan say about Mahatma Gandhi?
Radhakrishnan described Gandhi's life and message as 'an enduring beacon of peace, compassion, selflessness and service' and called upon citizens to reaffirm their commitment to building a just, harmonious and inclusive society.
How did the Vice-President remember Lal Bahadur Shastri?
Radhakrishnan characterised Shastri as a leader of 'quiet strength and extraordinary resolve,' highlighting his humility, integrity, and the rallying call of 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' as enduring recognition of soldiers and farmers.
What contributions of K. Kamaraj did Vice-President Radhakrishnan highlight?
Radhakrishnan recalled Kamaraj's introduction of the mid-day meal programme, expansion of roads and educational institutions, and contributions to irrigation and industrial development in Tamil Nadu through dams and industrial estates.
Where were the tribute events for Gandhi, Shastri, and Kamaraj held?
Tributes to Mahatma Gandhi were paid at Rajghat in New Delhi, tributes to Lal Bahadur Shastri at Vijay Ghat, and the event honouring K. Kamaraj was held at Uprashtrapati Bhavan.
