President Murmu at Kurukshetra: Heritage and modern knowledge key to Viksit Bharat
Synopsis
President Droupadi Murmu used a centenary commemoration of Swami Shraddhanand's martyrdom to outline the cultural and intellectual foundations she believes must underpin Viksit Bharat — blending pride in heritage with science and innovation, while celebrating Haryana's first hydrogen train and its women athletes' Commonwealth Games dominance.
Key Takeaways
President Droupadi Murmu addressed the Balidan Shatabdi Samaroh of Swami Shraddhanand at Gurukul Kurukshetra , Haryana, on 1 November 2026 .
She called for citizens to embrace modern knowledge, science, and technology while taking pride in India's cultural heritage as part of the Viksit Bharat vision.
She attended the 'Hirak Jayanti' marking Haryana's 60th year of formation, also held at Kurukshetra.
India's first hydrogen-powered train has been launched on the Jind–Sonipat route in Haryana.
Five of Haryana's seven gold medals at this year's Commonwealth Games were won by women athletes.
Para athlete Sharmila Dhanda from Rewari was highlighted for her gold medal performance.
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday, 1 November 2026, said that building a 'Viksit Bharat' requires every Indian citizen to embrace modern knowledge, science, technology, and entrepreneurship — while remaining firmly rooted in the country's rich cultural heritage. She was speaking at the Balidan Shatabdi Samaroh of Swami Shraddhanand at Gurukul Kurukshetra in Haryana.
President's Message on Viksit Bharat
"As we are moving towards the goal of 'Viksit Bharat', it is of utmost importance that our citizens take pride in India's rich cultural heritage while embracing modern knowledge, science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship," President Murmu said. She also called upon every citizen to rise above personal interests and work for the broader welfare of society and the nation.
The President urged the youth in particular to draw inspiration from the life and legacy of Swami Shraddhanand, who she credited with reviving and strengthening the Gurukul system of education. This revival, she said, infused new life into the stream of Indian education and culture — a contribution that remains relevant in the present era.
Haryana's Diamond Jubilee Celebration
Earlier in the day, President Murmu attended the 'Hirak Jayanti' celebration marking the 60th year of Haryana's formation, also held at Kurukshetra. She described the land of Haryana as one that carried the eternal message of Bhagwan Krishna's selfless action to the world, while simultaneously achieving modern milestones of human progress.
Notably, the President highlighted the launch of India's first hydrogen-powered train, now operational on the Jind–Sonipat route. "Recently, a train running on hydrogen fuel has been launched between Jind and Sonipat. This hydrogen-powered train is the country's first," she said, citing it as an example of Haryana's rapid advancement.
Haryana's Daughters Lead at Commonwealth Games
President Murmu paid special tribute to sportspersons from Haryana, singling out women athletes for their performances on the global stage. Of the seven gold medals won by Haryana's athletes at this year's Commonwealth Games, five were secured by women.
She specifically commended para athlete Sharmila Dhanda from Rewari, who won a gold medal and, in the President's words, demonstrated that "if determination is unwavering, physical challenges cannot block the path to success for long." This comes amid growing national recognition of para-sports as a pillar of India's sporting identity.
Swami Shraddhanand's Legacy
The Balidan Shatabdi Samaroh marks the centenary of Swami Shraddhanand's martyrdom. He was a prominent social reformer and educationist who championed the Gurukul model — a residential schooling tradition rooted in Vedic values — at a time when colonial education was the dominant framework. President Murmu's address positioned his legacy as directly relevant to India's contemporary development aspirations.
The twin events at Kurukshetra signal the government's effort to frame India's developmental agenda within a cultural continuum — one that connects ancient intellectual traditions with modern governance and technological ambition.
Point of View
A reformer who blended Vedic education with social activism, and a state celebrating 60 years of statehood — all mobilised in service of the Viksit Bharat narrative. What the speech does not address is the institutional framework through which cultural pride translates into measurable development outcomes. The hydrogen train is a genuine first, but a single route between Jind and Sonipat is a pilot, not a transformation. Similarly, Haryana's women athletes are undeniably remarkable, yet their success has coexisted with the state's persistently skewed sex ratio — a contradiction that rarely surfaces in celebratory forums. The Viksit Bharat framing is increasingly becoming the Centre's unifying ideological canopy, and these presidential addresses serve as its ritual reinforcement. The question is whether the canopy is wide enough to shelter accountability alongside aspiration.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did President Murmu say about Viksit Bharat at Kurukshetra?
President Droupadi Murmu said that achieving Viksit Bharat requires citizens to take pride in India's rich cultural heritage while embracing modern knowledge, science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. She made the remarks on 1 November at the Balidan Shatabdi Samaroh of Swami Shraddhanand at Gurukul Kurukshetra, Haryana.
What is the Balidan Shatabdi Samaroh and why was it held?
The Balidan Shatabdi Samaroh is a centenary commemoration of the martyrdom of Swami Shraddhanand, a prominent social reformer and educationist known for reviving the Gurukul system of education. The event was held at Gurukul Kurukshetra in Haryana, where President Murmu praised his contribution to Indian education and culture.
What is India's first hydrogen-powered train and where does it run?
India's first hydrogen-powered train has been launched on the Jind–Sonipat route in Haryana. President Murmu cited it during Haryana's Hirak Jayanti celebrations as an example of the state's advancement toward modern development goals.
How did Haryana's athletes perform at this year's Commonwealth Games?
Haryana's athletes won seven gold medals at the Commonwealth Games held this year, of which five were secured by women. Para athlete Sharmila Dhanda from Rewari was specifically recognised by President Murmu for her gold medal win.
What is the Hirak Jayanti that was celebrated at Kurukshetra?
Hirak Jayanti marks the diamond jubilee — the 60th year — of the formation of the state of Haryana. President Murmu attended the celebration at Kurukshetra on 1 November 2026, alongside the Balidan Shatabdi Samaroh.
