New Delhi: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, in the presence of Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, felicitated the ‘Super-100’ winners of Project Veer Gatha 3.0 on January 25, 2024, in New Delhi. Each of the 100 winners received a cash prize of Rs 10,000, a medal, and a certificate. In a notable moment, Shri Rajnath Singh handed over the podium to one of the winners, Sushri Barnali Sahu, a Class 11 student from DAV Public School, Cuttack, Odisha, to address the gathering on his behalf. Sushri Barnali fluently delivered the speech, representing the spirit of the youth.
Raksha Mantri, through Sushri Barnali, highlighted the pivotal role the country’s youth will play in realizing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming India into a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. He emphasized that the youth is the most crucial asset in shaping the nation’s future, and they will bear the responsibility of a developed nation.
Project Veer Gatha was initiated to introduce the brave stories of the nation to the youth and strengthen the values of ‘Nation First’. Shri Rajnath Singh mentioned the recent addition of a chapter on the National War Memorial and heroes in the NCERT curriculum of Class VII, aiming to raise awareness among children about the bravery of Indian soldiers.
During the interaction with students, the Raksha Mantri shared insights on the importance of ‘spiritual strength,’ stating that physical, mental/intellectual, and spiritual strength are crucial facets for achieving victory or desired results in life. He emphasized that only a spiritually oriented person attains bliss.
Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan termed ‘Veer Gatha’ as a unique program inspiring the young generation about the sacrifices made by brave hearts. The event also featured Param Vir Chakra awardee Subedar Major (Honorary Captain) Yogendra Singh Yadav (Retd), who narrated his real-life story of the Kargil war, urging children to draw inspiration from valiant soldiers defending the nation.
The event was attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane, and other senior officials of the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Education.
Veer Gatha 3.0, building on the Raksha Mantri’s recommendations, expanded its recognition to 100 winners at the national level, compared to 25 winners in the first two editions. Winners were recognized at multiple levels – National, State, and District. The third edition witnessed a record 1.36 crore students from 2.42 lakh schools across India participating, with 65 girl students among the ‘Super-100’. Entries reflected linguistic diversity, showcasing the richness of India’s cultural and linguistic tapestry.