VP Radhakrishnan: Compassion and unity vital for Viksit Bharat 2047
Synopsis
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan used the Mahaparva Kshamapana Ceremony in New Delhi to argue that Viksit Bharat@2047 cannot be built on economic growth alone — it needs compassion, inner character, and the timeless values of Jain philosophy, including Ahimsa in thought and deed, as its moral scaffolding.
Key Takeaways
Radhakrishnan addressed the Mahaparva Kshamapana Ceremony 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 4 October 2026 .
He called for humility, compassion, service, unity, and responsibility as essential values for Viksit Bharat@2047 .
He invoked the government's vision of 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi' , arguing development must include trust, family values, and social compassion.
Radhakrishnan highlighted Jainism's deep historical ties to Tamil Nadu , including contributions to classical Tamil literature.
The Jain Samaj Ratna Award was presented to K.C.
Jain at the ceremony.
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and senior Jain religious leaders were among the distinguished attendees.
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Sunday, 4 October 2026 called on citizens to cultivate humility, compassion, service, unity, and responsibility as foundational values in the nation's journey toward Viksit Bharat@2047. Speaking at the Mahaparva Kshamapana Ceremony 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, he stressed that genuine national development must reach beyond economic metrics alone.
Beyond GDP: The Case for Value-Driven Development
Radhakrishnan argued that a truly developed India requires more than modern infrastructure, technological advancement, and economic prosperity. He called for trust among citizens, values within families, strong character among the youth, and compassion in public life — framing this as the true meaning of the government's vision of 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi' (development as well as heritage).
The ceremony was organised by the Bhagwan Mahavir Memorial Committee and Jain Mahasabha Delhi, bringing together religious leaders, public figures, and community representatives at one of New Delhi's premier convention venues.
Jainism's Enduring Ties to Tamil Culture
The Vice President drew attention to the historically deep relationship between Tamil Nadu and Jainism. He noted that Jain scholars and monks have made significant contributions to classical Tamil literature and that ancient Jain temples and centres of learning remain embedded across the state. These ties, he said, reflect Jainism's broader civilisational imprint on India.
Mahavira's Teachings as a Blueprint for Peace
Radhakrishnan invoked the philosophy of Bhagwan Mahavira as deeply relevant to a world experiencing conflict and violence. He said the Jain teaching of friendship towards all living beings and enmity towards none resonates directly with India's civilisational ideal of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' — the world is one family.
He expanded the concept of Ahimsa (non-violence) beyond its physical dimension, stating that true non-violence encompasses thought, word, and deed. He added that Bhagwan Mahavira showed humanity the path of inner victory — conquering anger, intolerance, and the impulse for revenge.
Jain Samaj Ratna Award and Distinguished Attendees
On the occasion, the Vice President presented the Jain Samaj Ratna Award to K.C. Jain. The ceremony was attended by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria; Kanhaiya Lal Jain, President of the Bhagwan Mahavir Memorial Committee; Dinesh Doshi, President of the Jain Mahasabha Delhi; religious leader Acharya Visuddh Sagarji Muniraj; Vipin Jain, General Secretary of the Shree Jain Tarun Samaj Bhagwan Mahaveer Memorial Samiti; along with Munishri Udit Kumar, Munishri Tirth Nirvaan Vijay, and Upadhyay Ravinder Muni.
The event underscored a broader national conversation about the role of cultural and spiritual heritage in shaping the India of 2047 — and whether moral values can be woven into development policy as deliberately as infrastructure targets.
Point of View
Virasat Bhi' framing is increasingly the BJP government's answer to critics who argue rapid modernisation erodes cultural continuity. What is worth scrutinising, however, is whether invoking Ahimsa and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam in a policy context translates into measurable governance commitments — or remains aspirational language. The gap between the moral vocabulary of these public addresses and the hard accountability frameworks of Viksit Bharat's actual programmes is where the real question lies.
NationPress
4 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Viksit Bharat@2047?
Viksit Bharat@2047 is the Indian government's vision to transform India into a fully developed nation by the centenary of its independence in 2047, encompassing economic growth, infrastructure, and social well-being. Vice President Radhakrishnan emphasised that this vision must also include moral and cultural values, not just material progress.
What was the Mahaparva Kshamapana Ceremony 2026?
The Mahaparva Kshamapana Ceremony 2026 was a Jain religious and cultural event organised by the Bhagwan Mahavir Memorial Committee and Jain Mahasabha Delhi at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on 4 October 2026. It brought together senior public figures, religious leaders, and community members to mark the Jain tradition of seeking and granting forgiveness.
What did Radhakrishnan say about Ahimsa?
Radhakrishnan stated that Ahimsa, or non-violence, is not merely the absence of physical violence but also extends to thought, word, and deed. He said Bhagwan Mahavira's teachings on inner victory — overcoming anger, intolerance, and revenge — remain relevant in a world experiencing ongoing conflict.
What is the connection between Jainism and Tamil Nadu highlighted by the Vice President?
Radhakrishnan pointed to the historically deep ties between Jainism and Tamil Nadu, noting that Jain scholars and monks made significant contributions to classical Tamil literature and that ancient Jain temples and centres of learning are present across the state. He described these as evidence of Jainism's broader civilisational contribution to India.
Who received the Jain Samaj Ratna Award at the ceremony?
The Jain Samaj Ratna Award was presented by Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan to K.C. Jain at the Mahaparva Kshamapana Ceremony 2026 in New Delhi on 4 October 2026.
