Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan conducted an official visit to Manipur on September 8, 2026, focusing on historical commemoration and educational engagement. His first stop was the INA Museum at Moirang, where he paid homage to the Indian National Army's valour and sacrifice, visiting the historic site where the Indian Tricolour was first hoisted on the Indian mainland by the INA. He toured the INA War Museum gallery and paid floral tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
The Vice-President then visited Sainik School Imphal, where he paid floral tribute at the War Memorial and was accorded a Guard of Honour by the cadets. He joined the cadets for lunch at the Mess and subsequently addressed and interacted with them. During his address, he recalled the historic role of the INA in India's freedom struggle, noting that several freedom fighters from across the country, including many from Tamil Nadu, had joined the INA and made the supreme sacrifice for the nation.
Shri Radhakrishnan emphasized that the true legacy of an institution is reflected in the character of its students and alumni, calling upon cadets to develop discipline, courage, and leadership. He stated that "even if you are less talented, with discipline you will shine," emphasizing that discipline provides the foundation for excellence. On courage, he explained that true courage means standing up for others when someone is being unnecessarily harmed, while on leadership, he emphasized that a true leader accepts responsibility, sets an example, listens to others, and has the moral courage to take the right decision.
Highlighting national integration, the Vice-President stated that India's diversity of languages, traditions, and regions is united by a shared national identity, and that Sainik Schools have a special role in strengthening the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat as students from diverse backgrounds learn, train, eat, and play together. He urged cadets to preserve timeless values of discipline, integrity, and patriotism while becoming adaptable, innovative, and technologically aware, specifically mentioning emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, space technology, biotechnology, cybersecurity, and robotics as areas offering new opportunities.
During interactions, Shri Radhakrishnan described the Northeast as an integral and beautiful part of India and praised the hard work and contribution of its people. He encouraged students to retain their goodness while adapting to change, noting that change is the only constant. Responding to questions about his visit to Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, he encouraged students to visit the historic site to understand the hardships endured by freedom fighters, stating that such visits inspire patriotism and remind younger generations of sacrifices made during the freedom struggle.
On building a developed India, the Vice-President stated that every student can contribute by performing their duty to the best of their ability every day, emphasizing that doing one's best each day would collectively contribute to the realisation of Viksit Bharat. He was accompanied by Governor of Manipur Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Chief Minister Shri Y. Khemchand Singh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence Smt. Deepti Mohil Chawla, Major General Shubhankar Basu, VSM, Inspecting Officer, Sainik Schools Society, Ministry of Defence, Brigadier Amit Chatterjee, and Principal, Sainik School Imphal, Colonel A. Rajiv, among other dignitaries.
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