VP Radhakrishnan begins 4-state tour on Aug 29: Tamil Nadu to Lakshadweep
Synopsis
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan's three-day, four-territory sweep — from a technology institute in Erode to a fisheries outreach in Agatti — is a rare vice-presidential circuit that threads education milestones, a centenary tribute to a former CM, and Kerala's Onam season into a single itinerary, underscoring the office's growing role as a soft-power bridge between the Centre and southern India.
Key Takeaways
Radhakrishnan begins a three-day visit on 29 August 2026 covering Tamil Nadu , Karnataka , Kerala , and Lakshadweep .
On 29 August , he attends KVITT Founder's Day in Erode and the Ramakrishna Hegde centenary at Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru .
On 30 August , he inaugurates the Aranmula Water Festival 2026 and the Onam Pageantry in Thiruvananthapuram .
On 31 August , he attends a Ministry of Fisheries Outreach Programme in Agatti, Lakshadweep , followed by the RSET Silver Jubilee and Confluence 3.0 Summit in Kochi .
Ahead of the tour, Radhakrishnan marked World Sanskrit Day with a post on X, calling for preservation of the language.
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan will on Saturday, 29 August 2026, commence a three-day official visit covering Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Lakshadweep, attending a series of events centred on education, cultural heritage, and industry-academia engagement, according to an official statement.
Day One: Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
The Vice President will begin his tour in Erode, Tamil Nadu, where he will attend the Founder's Day Celebration of the Kongu Vellalar Institute of Technology Trust (KVITT). He will subsequently travel to Bengaluru, Karnataka, to serve as Chief Guest at the centenary celebrations of former Karnataka Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde, held at the Vidhana Soudha.
Day Two: Kerala's Cultural Milestones
On 30 August, Radhakrishnan will visit Alappuzha, Kerala, to attend the 115th anniversary celebrations of Kerala Kaumudi at Leo XIII Higher Secondary School. He will then proceed to Pathanamthitta to inaugurate the Aranmula Water Festival 2026, one of Kerala's most storied river pageants. The day will conclude in Thiruvananthapuram, where he will inaugurate the Onam Pageantry, marking the state's premier cultural festival.
Day Three: Lakshadweep and Kochi
On 31 August, the Vice President will travel to Agatti, Lakshadweep, to serve as Chief Guest at an Outreach Programme organised by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. Returning to Kerala, he will attend the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Rajagiri School of Engineering and Technology (RSET) and the Confluence 3.0 Industry-Academia Summit at the RSET Auditorium, Kakkanad, Kochi.
VP Marks World Sanskrit Day
Ahead of his tour, Radhakrishnan on Friday, 28 August, extended greetings on World Sanskrit Day, describing the language as the 'timeless language of India's knowledge, philosophy, and civilisation.' In a post on X, he called for collective efforts to preserve and promote Sanskrit, stating: 'Let us resolve to preserve, promote, and propagate this invaluable treasure of Sanskrit, connecting future generations to its eternal tradition of wisdom while enhancing its significance in the modern world.' World Sanskrit Day is observed annually to celebrate the ancient language's contributions to literature, philosophy, science, and spirituality, and to encourage its study among younger generations.
The Vice President's itinerary reflects a deliberate engagement with regional culture, institutional milestones, and grassroots outreach — spanning one of India's smallest union territories alongside three southern states.
Point of View
A centenary for Hegde) with grassroots reach (a fisheries outreach in remote Agatti). The inclusion of Lakshadweep is notable: the union territory rarely figures in senior constitutional visits, and the Ministry of Fisheries framing signals a Centre-level push to address livelihood concerns in the archipelago. The Onam inauguration in Thiruvananthapuram, meanwhile, positions the Vice President as a cultural bridge at a time when Centre-Kerala relations carry persistent political undertones.
NationPress
28 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will Vice President Radhakrishnan travel during his three-day tour?
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan will visit Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Lakshadweep between 29 and 31 August 2026. The tour covers educational institutions, cultural festivals, and a government outreach programme in Agatti, Lakshadweep.
What events will VP Radhakrishnan attend in Kerala?
In Kerala, he will attend the 115th anniversary of Kerala Kaumudi in Alappuzha, inaugurate the Aranmula Water Festival 2026 in Pathanamthitta, and open the Onam Pageantry in Thiruvananthapuram on 30 August. On 31 August, he will also attend the Silver Jubilee of Rajagiri School of Engineering and Technology and the Confluence 3.0 Industry-Academia Summit in Kochi.
Why is Vice President Radhakrishnan visiting Lakshadweep?
He will serve as Chief Guest at an Outreach Programme in Agatti, Lakshadweep, organised by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying on 31 August 2026. The visit marks one of the few senior constitutional visits to the remote union territory.
What did VP Radhakrishnan say on World Sanskrit Day?
On 28 August, Radhakrishnan described Sanskrit as the 'timeless language of India's knowledge, philosophy, and civilisation' in a post on X. He called on citizens to 'preserve, promote, and propagate this invaluable treasure,' connecting future generations to its wisdom.
What is the Aranmula Water Festival that VP Radhakrishnan will inaugurate?
The Aranmula Water Festival 2026 is a traditional river pageant held in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, associated with the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Vice President Radhakrishnan will inaugurate the 2026 edition on 30 August.
