President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, inaugurated the Deepotsav 2026 celebrations at Ram Ki Paidi in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, today. He witnessed the spectacular illumination of the ghats with millions of diyas, cultural presentations depicting the Ramayana and musical fireworks. He also participated in the sacred Saryu Aarti at Naya Ghat.
Strategic Priorities & Core Milestones
President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan participated as the Chief Guest in the grand Deepotsav 2026 celebrations at Ram Ki Paidi, Ayodhya, today, witnessing the spectacular illumination of the ghats with millions of diyas. https://t.co/bBGAik7gMs— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) November 7, 2026
Detailing the operational roadmap, vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan performed aarti on the banks of the Saryu in Ayodhya as he participates in Deepotsav 2026 https://t.co/igtgnFjFbZ— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) November 7, 2026
At Ram Ki Paidi, the Vice-President highlighted the remarkable growth of Deepotsav since its inception in 2017, when over 1.7 lakh lamps were illuminated. He said that the celebration reached over 26 lakh lamps in 2025, while its tenth edition envisaged more than 30 lakh diyas at Ram Ki Paidi and over 70 lakh across Ayodhya. He congratulated the Uttar Pradesh Government for taking the festival to national and international prominence.
Program Benchmarks & Quantitative Progress
Comprehensive program documentation and official disclosures outline key operational figures and quantitative benchmarks:
- Key Indicator: Established target milestone of 1.7 lakh under the active deployment framework.
- Key Indicator: Established target milestone of 26 lakh under the active deployment framework.
- Key Indicator: Established target milestone of 30 lakh under the active deployment framework.
- Key Indicator: Established target milestone of 70 lakh under the active deployment framework.
Leadership Commentary & Official Insights
In official remarks concerning the development, President of India highlighted the imperative of rigorous milestone tracking, cross-agency alignment, and steadfast adherence to established operational timelines.
Operational Alignment & Broader Impact
President appreciated the festival’s contribution to local livelihoods, creating opportunities for potters, rural women, artisans, performers, hotel and homestay operators, guides and transport providers. He also welcomed the innovative use of technology, including more than 2,100 indigenous drones depicting scenes from the Ramayana and the participation of around 1,000 artists in cultural programmes.
In terms of implementation context, referring to the millions of lamps illuminating Ayodhya, he said they symbolised the transformation taking place in the lives of crores of Indians. He appreciated Uttar Pradesh’s initiatives in women’s empowerment, education, agriculture, healthcare, housing and entrepreneurship, and observed that the State was progressing towards becoming ‘Uttam Pradesh’.
Addressing the youth, the Vice-President urged them to understand the Ramayana and imbibe its teachings in their daily conduct. He called upon young people to embrace science, innovation and technology while remaining connected to India’s values, languages, traditions and cultural wisdom. India must be modern in its aspirations while remaining firmly rooted in its civilisational values, he said.
Strategic Outlook & Next Milestones
Administrative bodies and departmental task forces will maintain active oversight across designated implementation cycles, ensuring scheduled deliverables translate into tangible public outcomes.
