17-09-2026:On the Occasion of the Bharat Darshan Educational Tour of Meritorious Students of Devprayag Assembly Constituency

Jai Hind!

Hon’ble MLA Shri Vinod Kandari Ji, respected public representatives, teachers, parents, and my dear children,

It gives me immense pleasure and a sense of pride to meet all 68 meritorious students of the Devprayag Assembly Constituency here at Lok Bhavan today. I can see enthusiasm on your faces, dreams in your eyes, and a deep curiosity to learn something new. This curiosity is your greatest strength. I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all of you for this Bharat Darshan educational journey.

The Bharat Darshan educational tour that you are about to undertake is not merely a journey from one place to another. It is a journey of learning, seeing, understanding, and expanding your dreams. It is an opportunity to step beyond the boundaries of the classroom and experience India closely.

My dear children, we have read about India’s history, science, Constitution, culture, and great personalities in our books. But when you actually visit these places, enter these institutions, and experience their environment, your learning will become deeper and more meaningful. Therefore, as you embark on this journey, do not travel with your eyes open alone; travel with an open mind and an inquisitive spirit.

Your journey will begin from the sacred land of Devprayag, where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi meet, and will take you through Rishikesh, Lucknow, Kanpur, Ayodhya, and Roorkee. During this journey, you will have the opportunity to experience and understand our faith and culture, history and heritage, science and technology, democracy and development.

In Rishikesh, you will connect with our spiritual traditions and the sacred Ganga. In Lucknow, you will experience science as well as historical heritage. In Kanpur, you will get an opportunity to familiarise yourselves with the laboratories and technological environment of a prestigious institution like IIT. In Ayodhya, you will understand our cultural and knowledge traditions, while at IIT Roorkee, you will get a closer glimpse into the world of higher education, science, and technology.

Your visits to the Legislative Assemblies of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh will provide you with an opportunity to understand our democracy and legislative system. At the planetarium, you will explore the fascinating world of space.

I want each one of you to carry one question in your mind at every place you visit: “What can I learn from this place?”

Do not merely observe what is there. Try to understand why it is there, how it came into existence, and what we can learn from it.

My dear children,

This Bharat Darshan journey is not merely an opportunity to see the diversity of India; it is also an opportunity to experience the unity that lies within that diversity.

We may have different languages, attire, traditions, and ways of life, yet we are all one nation. This is the strength of India. As you travel through different parts of the country, you will experience that unity in diversity is one of our greatest identities.

We must carry this spirit forward as “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.” Wherever you go, respect the local culture, interact with people, understand their way of life, and experience the extraordinary diversity of our country through your own eyes.

And, my dear children, imbibe the spirit of “Nation First” in your lives.

The spirit of Nation First is not limited only to the responsibilities of a soldier standing at the nation’s borders. For a student, Nation First means studying sincerely, living with discipline, developing one’s talents, and, in the future, using one’s knowledge and abilities for the welfare of the nation and society.

Today, you are students, but tomorrow you will have an important role to play in building the India of the future.

All of you are meritorious students. Your good academic results are a testament to your hard work and ability. But good marks alone are not enough to move forward in life. Along with knowledge, you need humility; along with talent, discipline; along with success, sensitivity; and along with achievement, a sense of responsibility.

A vast world of opportunities is opening up before you. Therefore, never allow your circumstances to become the limits of your aspirations.

Your village can be your identity, but it should never become the boundary of your dreams.

A child from the mountains of Devprayag can reach the finest institutions in the country. What is required is determination, continuous hard work, and faith in oneself.

During my long service in the Indian Army, I learnt that no matter how ambitious the goal, it can be achieved through discipline, continuous practice, patience, and teamwork.

Therefore, set goals for yourselves and take at least one step towards those goals every single day.

My dear children,

Do not make this journey merely a sightseeing tour. Make it a journey of learning that becomes a part of your life.

Write down your experiences during the journey. Remember what you saw, what you learnt, and what touched or inspired you the most. When you return, share your experiences with your school and your fellow students.

You will return from this journey carrying many new experiences. Try to ensure that when you return, you also give something back to your village, your school, and your fellow students—your experiences, your new ideas, and the inspiration to move forward.

Your success becomes even more meaningful when it helps give wings to the dreams of other children around you.

You are embarking on this journey carrying the dreams and aspirations of your parents and teachers. Therefore, wherever you go, let your conduct reflect the dignity and identity of Devprayag.

Be punctual. Maintain discipline. Look after your fellow students and follow all the arrangements and instructions made for the journey. Following the prescribed arrangements and necessary guidelines is also an important part of your responsibility.

Hon’ble MLA Shri Vinod Kandari Ji has continuously carried forward this Bharat Darshan initiative since 2017, and today, the tenth edition of this initiative stands before us.

The most beautiful aspect of this initiative is that it provides talented children from the hill regions with an opportunity to see and understand the country and, in the process, expand their dreams for the future.

My dear children,

As you leave from here today, I want each one of you to carry a small resolve with you:

“I will maintain discipline during this journey, learn every new thing with curiosity, respect the diversity and culture of my country, and return with experiences that inspire others as well.”

I want you to return from this journey carrying not merely photographs and beautiful memories, but also new ideas, new dreams, and a determination to do something new.

See India. Understand India. Experience its unity in diversity. And return with the confidence that your talent and your hard work can also make an important contribution to building a brighter future for India.

You are the children of Devbhoomi. This is a land of warriors and soldiers, a land of knowledge and spirituality. This sacred soil has given the nation countless talented individuals.

Now it is your turn.

Through your talent, hard work, and values, bring pride to Devprayag and Uttarakhand.

Always remember:

Dream big. Work with honesty. Never be afraid of failure. And connect your dreams with the service of the nation.

May your journey be joyful, safe, and enriching. May it become a memory of your life that continues to inspire you to move forward for years to come.

My heartfelt best wishes and blessings to all of you for this inspiring Bharat Darshan journey.

Jai Hind!
Jai Uttarakhand!