Lalan Singh pays tribute to Maharshi Valmiki on Jayanti
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
On the occasion of Valmiki Jayanti 2026, Union Panchayati Raj and Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, popularly known as Lalan Singh, offered his reverence to Adi Kavi Maharshi Valmiki and extended warm wishes to all citizens of the country.
Posting on Monday, October 26, the senior Janata Dal (United) leader wrote: 'आदिकवि महर्षि वाल्मीकि जी की जयंती पर उन्हें कोटि-कोटि नमन' — 'Innumerable salutations to Adi Kavi Maharshi Valmiki on his birth anniversary' — extending heartfelt greetings to all fellow Indians.
The Ramayana's place as India's living heritage
Singh's tribute centred on Maharshi Valmiki's singular contribution: the composition of the Ramayana, the Sanskrit epic that has shaped Indian civilisation's understanding of dharma, ideal conduct, and human values for millennia. He described the epic as an 'invaluable heritage' — 'अमूल्य धरोहर' — gifted to Indian culture and ideals.
Valmiki, revered across traditions as the Adi Kavi or the 'first poet,' is credited with giving Sanskrit verse its classical form. His teachings, Singh noted, 'will continue to guide humanity for all time to come.'
A day of national remembrance across communities
Valmiki Jayanti is observed annually on the full moon day of the Ashwin month in the Hindu calendar, drawing cultural programmes, processions, and public readings of the Ramayana in towns and villages across India. Political leaders from across the spectrum mark the occasion, reflecting the epic's reach beyond any single community or region.
For a minister rooted in Bihar — a state steeped in the Ramayana's geography and devotional culture — the tribute carries particular resonance. The acknowledgement of Valmiki's legacy is also a nod to millions of citizens who revere both the sage and the tradition he founded.