President Murmu extends Vijayadashami greetings, calls for Viksit Bharat resolve
Synopsis
President Droupadi Murmu's Vijayadashami message invoked Bhagwan Shri Ram as the embodiment of righteousness and called for a collective resolve toward a Viksit Bharat — while separately, PM Modi is expected to attend Dussehra at IP Extension in east Delhi on Tuesday, continuing a years-long tradition of high-profile participation in the capital's festivities.
Key Takeaways
President Droupadi Murmu extended Vijayadashami greetings on 19 October 2026 , calling for an inclusive society and a Viksit Bharat .
She described Vijayadashami as a symbol of the victory of Bhagwan Shri Ram over Ravana and the triumph of Dharma over Adharma.
PM Narendra Modi is reportedly expected to attend Dussehra celebrations at IP Extension, east Delhi , on 20 October .
Modi has participated in Delhi Dussehra events in 2024 , 2023 , and 2019 ; last year's visit was cancelled due to heavy rainfall.
Dussehra is celebrated nationwide with Ravan Dahan rituals, Ramleela performances, and regional traditions marking the victory of good over evil.
President Droupadi Murmu on Monday, 19 October 2026, extended heartfelt greetings to all Indians — at home and abroad — on the eve of Vijayadashami, calling on citizens to uphold cultural ideals and collectively work toward building an inclusive society and a Viksit Bharat. The message was issued ahead of the nationwide Dussehra celebrations marking the victory of good over evil.
President's Message
In her festive address, President Murmu underlined the cultural and spiritual significance of the occasion. 'The festival of Vijayadashami has a special significance. It symbolises the victory of Bhagwan Shri Ram over Ravana. Bhagwan Shri Ram is revered as the embodiment of righteousness and moral conduct,' she said.
She further noted that the festival celebrates the triumph of Dharma and justice over Adharma and injustice. 'Indian culture is rooted in the ideals of morality and duty. On this occasion, let us resolve to uphold the noble ideals of our cultural traditions and contribute towards building an inclusive society and a Viksit Bharat,' President Murmu said.
PM Modi Expected at IP Extension Dussehra Celebrations
In a separate development, official sources indicated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend Dussehra celebrations at IP Extension in east Delhi on Tuesday, 20 October. Elaborate arrangements are reportedly being put in place ahead of the Prime Minister's expected participation in the festivities.
The Dussehra festival traditionally features the burning of effigies of Ravan, symbolising the enduring victory of good over evil, and is celebrated across the country with religious fervour and communal enthusiasm.
Modi's History of Dussehra Participation
Prime Minister Modi has made it a recurring practice to attend prominent Dussehra events in the national capital. In 2024, he attended the Ramleela celebrations at Parade Ground near Delhi's Red Fort alongside President Murmu, an event organised by the Shri Dharmik Leela Committee. In 2023 and 2019, he participated in the Ravan Dahan ceremonies organised by the Shri Ramleela Society at Dwarka Sector 10 in Delhi.
Notably, his scheduled visit to the Dussehra event at Patparganj in East Delhi last year was cancelled due to heavy rainfall — one of the rare occasions in recent years when the Prime Minister could not attend in person.
Significance of Vijayadashami
Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, is one of India's most widely observed festivals, marking the culmination of Navratri and the victory of Lord Ram over the demon king Ravana as narrated in the Ramayana. The festival resonates across regions with varied traditions — from Ramleela performances and effigies set ablaze in Delhi, to Mysuru's royal processions and Kullu's iconic Dussehra fair. As India prepares to mark the occasion on Tuesday, 20 October, both the President's message and the Prime Minister's expected attendance signal the national importance the occasion continues to command.
Point of View
But Murmu's framing — anchoring Vijayadashami within the 'Viksit Bharat' narrative — aligns the occasion with the government's broader development vocabulary, blending cultural symbolism with political messaging. Meanwhile, PM Modi's expected appearance at IP Extension continues a deliberate pattern: high-visibility festival participation that reinforces cultural identity as a pillar of his public persona. The cancellation last year due to rain was an anomaly; the near-annual attendance signals that Dussehra has become a fixed point on his political calendar. What mainstream coverage often underplays is how the choice of venue — Dwarka in 2023, Parade Ground in 2024, IP Extension this year — quietly maps the Prime Minister's engagement across Delhi's constituencies.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did President Murmu say on Vijayadashami 2026?
President Droupadi Murmu extended heartfelt greetings to all Indians on the eve of Vijayadashami on 19 October 2026, calling the festival a symbol of the victory of Bhagwan Shri Ram over Ravana. She urged citizens to uphold cultural ideals and work collectively toward building an inclusive society and a Viksit Bharat.
Is PM Modi attending Dussehra 2026 celebrations in Delhi?
According to official sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend Dussehra celebrations at IP Extension in east Delhi on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. Elaborate arrangements are reportedly being made ahead of his expected participation.
Why was PM Modi's Dussehra visit cancelled last year?
PM Modi's scheduled visit to the Dussehra event at Patparganj in East Delhi last year was cancelled due to heavy rainfall. It was a rare exception to his consistent pattern of attending major Dussehra events in the capital.
Where has PM Modi attended Dussehra in previous years?
In 2024, PM Modi attended Ramleela celebrations at Parade Ground near Delhi's Red Fort alongside President Murmu. In 2023 and 2019, he participated in Ravan Dahan at Dwarka Sector 10, organised by the Shri Ramleela Society.
What is the significance of Vijayadashami?
Vijayadashami, or Dussehra, marks the victory of Lord Ram over the demon king Ravana as narrated in the Ramayana, symbolising the triumph of righteousness over evil. It is celebrated across India with Ravan Dahan ceremonies, Ramleela performances, and regional traditions, falling at the end of Navratri.
