Witnessing Valor: 1.76 Crore Students Celebrate Gallantry Award Winners
Get ready to be amazed! Over 1.76 crore students from across India participated in the fourth edition of the Veer Gatha competition, a testament to the nation's spirit and its youth's passion for honoring bravery. This incredible feat saw participation from a whopping 2.5 lakh schools, igniting a national conversation about gallantry and sacrifice. This year’s event was especially memorable; let's dive into the inspiring stories and incredible achievements.
A Celebration of Courage: The Veer Gatha Competition
The Veer Gatha competition, designed to teach students about the sacrifices and bravery of India's gallantry award winners, saw a record-breaking participation of 1.76 crore students! This is a massive display of national pride and engagement with history. Students engaged in various creative activities, including drawing, painting, and essay writing, paying heartfelt tributes to these incredible heroes. These young participants demonstrated amazing skill and respect through their heartfelt tributes.
The scale of this event is truly remarkable – 2.5 lakh schools across India took part in the 2025 competition, solidifying its place as a significant national event for school-age children, highlighting their respect for their country’s heroes. Such record participation underscores the power of education to honor past valor, creating a path towards a brighter and better future for India.
Honoring the Winners: A Grand Celebration in Delhi
A grand felicitation ceremony in Delhi honored 100 exceptional winners (including 66 girls) from the Veer Gatha competition, who were selected from amongst 1.76 crore participants across India. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan presented each winner with a cash prize of ₹10,000, a medal, and a certificate. These winners weren't just celebrated for their achievements; their recognition symbolized the wider celebration of the sacrifices of gallantry award winners nationwide.
These students are among 10,000 special guests selected to witness the spectacular Republic Day Parade. This is the ultimate reward for hard work and national pride, providing the students with an inspirational day of cultural and national events. They will join other exceptional attendees, such as national leaders and military personnel at India's premier national holiday celebrations.
Inspiring Tales of Valor: Stories from the Frontlines
The ceremony featured an impactful address by Param Vir Chakra Awardee Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar, who recounted his moving experiences from the 1999 Kargil War. His address stressed the importance of courage, selflessness, and integrity—values applicable far beyond the battlefield. His compelling narrative touched the hearts and minds of those who heard it, leaving a lasting impression.
Mr. Kumar's powerful message highlighted that true bravery involves standing up for what's right in every facet of life. He urged the students to embody those virtues and carry on his inspiring example of selfless service to their nation. This incredible address proved that true valor extends far beyond acts of wartime bravery, reaching into everyday lives and choices.
National School Band Competition: A Symphony of Patriotism
Another exciting event showcased the talent of young musicians. The National School Band Competition, a joint initiative by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Education, drew an outstanding level of participation. The competition included pipe bands and brass bands and four regional zones: Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western. A judging panel representing all three Armed Services (Army, Navy and Air Force) selected the winners after a riveting grand finale. Winning bands will be seen during Republic Day, participating in either the parade or the Beating the Retreat Ceremony on January 29th. The sheer scope of this collaboration is a highlight of the 2025 National School Band Competition.
The competition highlighted the best bands from the region, including awards and financial prizes to help continue these projects for years to come. Awards ranged from ₹21,000 for first place to ₹3,000 consolation prizes, underscoring the importance of supporting these bands. Among the winners were Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (Pipe Band Girls) from Jharkhand, who will perform at the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi. This competition provided the youth with an outstanding outlet to display their patriotism through musical expression.
Take Away Points
- The Veer Gatha competition and National School Band Competition showcase the incredible talent and patriotism of India's youth.
- The record-breaking participation underscores the importance of initiatives that celebrate bravery and national pride.
- These events provide unique platforms for students to engage with history, express their creativity, and receive national recognition for their achievements.
- India's youth continue to stand as symbols of the future through the continued celebration of patriotism, honor and skill.
