L.K. Advani turns 100: VP Radhakrishnan leads birthday wishes, BJP plans special event
Synopsis
L.K. Advani turns 100 on Diwali — a convergence that the BJP is marking with a puja, a special video tribute, and addresses by party president Nitin Nabin and Union Minister Piyush Goyal at its Central Office. Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan led the national well-wishes on X, calling Advani's journey 'an important part of India's democratic story.'
Key Takeaways
Radhakrishnan wished Bharat Ratna L.K.
Advani on his 100th birthday on 8 November 2026 .
Advani's centenary birthday falls on Diwali , adding cultural significance to the milestone.
The BJP is holding a special programme at its Central Office, New Delhi , beginning at 10 am with a puja and havan.
BJP National President Nitin Nabin , Pratibha Advani , and Union Minister Piyush Goyal will address the gathering.
A 20-minute video presentation featuring key moments and speeches from Advani's life will be screened at the event.
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan on 8 November 2026 extended warm birthday greetings to Bharat Ratna and former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani on the occasion of his 100th birthday, praying for the veteran leader's good health and continued well-being. The milestone birthday coincides with the festival of Diwali, lending the celebrations an added significance.
VP's Tribute on X
Taking to social media platform X, Vice President Radhakrishnan wrote: 'Heartiest birthday greetings to Respected Shri L. K. Advani Ji. His decades of public service and commitment to the nation have been an important part of India's democratic journey. I pray for his good health, happiness and well-being.' The message underscored Advani's enduring stature as a foundational figure in Indian democratic politics.
BJP's Special Centenary Celebration
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is organising a dedicated programme at its Central Office in New Delhi on Sunday to mark the occasion. The event will be attended by BJP National President Nitin Nabin, Advani's daughter Pratibha Advani, and Union Minister Piyush Goyal, among other senior party leaders. The BJP announced the event on its official X handle, describing it as honouring Advani's '100th birth anniversary and the occasion of Diwali Pavan Diwas.'
Programme Details
Celebrations are scheduled to begin at 10 am with a puja and havan. A special 20-minute video presentation will follow, highlighting pivotal moments from Advani's life alongside excerpts from some of his most prominent speeches. Pratibha Advani and Union Minister Goyal will then address the gathering, sharing personal reflections on the veteran leader's life and legacy.
Advani's Legacy and Significance
L.K. Advani, widely regarded as one of the principal architects of the BJP's rise from a marginal political force to a dominant national party, served as Deputy Prime Minister of India under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, in recognition of his decades-long contribution to public life. His centenary birthday marks a rare milestone for any figure in Indian political history. BJP National President Nitin Nabin is expected to recall Advani's contributions to the nation and his pivotal role in shaping the party organisation over several decades. The convergence of his 100th birthday with Diwali has lent the occasion a broader cultural resonance within the party.
Point of View
Once the face of the party's ideological transformation, has remained largely in the background through its years of peak electoral dominance. Whether Sunday's tribute signals a re-centering of his legacy in the party's public narrative, or is primarily a Diwali-timed ceremonial gesture, will depend on how prominently the event is amplified by current leadership. At 100, his life's arc — from partition-era Karachi to the corridors of South Block — is itself a chapter of modern India's political history.
NationPress
8 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is L.K. Advani today?
L.K. Advani turns 100 years old on 8 November 2026. His centenary birthday coincides with the festival of Diwali.
What did Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan say on Advani's birthday?
Vice President Radhakrishnan posted on X: 'Heartiest birthday greetings to Respected Shri L. K. Advani Ji. His decades of public service and commitment to the nation have been an important part of India's democratic journey. I pray for his good health, happiness and well-being.'
What is the BJP organising for Advani's 100th birthday?
The BJP is holding a special programme at its Central Office in New Delhi on Sunday, beginning with a puja and havan at 10 am. It will include a 20-minute video tribute and addresses by BJP National President Nitin Nabin, Pratibha Advani, and Union Minister Piyush Goyal.
What is L.K. Advani's significance in Indian politics?
L.K. Advani is widely credited as one of the principal architects of the BJP's transformation into a dominant national party. He served as Deputy Prime Minister under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour.
Why is Advani's 100th birthday especially significant this year?
The milestone coincides with Diwali, which the BJP has described as 'Diwali Pavan Diwas,' giving the centenary celebrations a combined cultural and political resonance. Reaching 100 years is itself a rare milestone for any figure in Indian public life.
