Samrat Vikramaditya Remains an Ideal for Rulers : Vice President Shri Dhankhar

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar stated that Samrat Vikramaditya, through his reign, brought honor not only to his era but also to the entire nation. “His unparalleled contribution to the development of our cultural consciousness makes him an enduring ideal for rulers. He was deeply compassionate towards his people and taught monarchs how to serve their subjects,” said the Vice President while addressing the inauguration ceremony at Madhadas Park, located within the Red Fort complex in Delhi. This three-day grand staging of the Samrat Vikramaditya drama, organized by the Madhya Pradesh government, was inaugurated with a ceremonial lamp-lighting by Vice President Shri Dhankhar and other dignitaries. The event, which began with the national anthem, is scheduled to run until April 14.

Adding to the significance of the celebration, on Sunday, April 13, the grand staging of the drama will have the honor of hosting the Central Minister for Health and Family Welfare as well as for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri JP Nadda, as the Chief Guest.

Vice President Shri Dhankhar emphasized that India’s cultural heritage serves as a prime example of how life can be both simple and graceful when imbued with Indian values. He remarked, “Indian-ness is our identity and patriotism our supreme duty. Samrat Vikramaditya made an invaluable contribution to nation-building during his reign.” He also acknowledged the transformative leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, noting that under his visionary guidance, India is witnessing development from the depths of its soil to the heights of its aspirations. “Our language is the pivot of our cultural consciousness, and our new national education policy reinforces the propagation of Indian knowledge systems and heritage,” added the Vice President.

Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta expressed her gratitude to Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav for providing the people of Delhi an opportunity to experience the character and valor of Samrat Vikramaditya up close. “It is our utmost privilege that today, Delhi’s residents can witness the heroic traits and exemplary governance of Samrat Vikramaditya through this grand drama,” she said, lauding the event and extending her thanks to Dr. Yadav for his efforts.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, speaking on the occasion, described Samrat Vikramaditya’s reign as one of the most glorious epochs in Indian history. “His contributions in transforming governance into an exemplary system, marked by indomitable courage, patience, valor, and empathy, continue to inspire us. He liberated his people from debt and ensured that the underprivileged received their rightful due,” Dr. Yadav noted. He stressed that the everlasting prosperity of our culture is akin to the ceaseless flow of the sacred Ganga. “We take immense pride in our past and must transmit this legacy to future generations. The essence of today’s staging is to let everyone witness and revel in our glorious history,” he added.

Central Minister for Tourism and Culture, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, also commented on the event, stating that the organization of the Smrat Vikramaditya drama in Delhi not only revives the country’s history but also strengthens our cultural consciousness. “The period of Samrat Vikramaditya’s rule represents the pinnacle of India’s cultural achievements. His reign, characterized by the nurturing of knowledge, science, and valor, set a benchmark for ideal governance. The grand drama is a celebration of that golden era, and I congratulate Chief Minister Dr. Yadav for this initiative,” said Minister Shekhawat.

The event saw the presence of several prominent personalities including Madhya Pradesh Governor Shri Mangubhai Patel, Shri Shivprakash, the Vice President’s spouse Dr. Sudesh Dhankhar, Madhya Pradesh Principal Secretary of Tourism and Culture Shri Shiv Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary of the Department of Public Grievances Shri Raghavendra Kumar Singh, Chief Minister’s cultural advisor Dr. Shriram Tiwari, Dr. Atul Jain, along with ministers and legislators from Madhya Pradesh and Delhi. Over 250 artists, who are part of the grand drama, brought the life story of Samrat Vikramaditya to life through dynamic performances featuring palanquins, chariots, horses, and special effects using LED graphics.

Additionally, the event showcased an exhibition by the Maharaja Vikramaditya Research Center on “Coins and Seals from the Vikramaditya Era,” as well as an exhibition titled “Aarsh Bharat” focused on the legacy of Indian sage-scientists. Other displays included presentations by the Public Relations Department on “Madhya Pradesh’s Development and Achievements” and exhibits organized by the Tourism and Industries Department.