Grand Celebration of ‘Meri Dilli, Mera Desh’ at the Red Fort

Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister jointly reaffirm the resolve of ‘Ek Bharat, Aatmanirbhar Bharat’

Foundation Day of several States and Union Territories celebrated together, including Delhi Cultural performances, light and sound show, projection mapping, and heritage walk added grandeur to the evening

“We must unite to take Delhi to new heights of development”: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta

“We must all love the capital and say with pride — Meri Dilli, Mera Desh”: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta

New Delhi, Nov 2025 : In the historic grounds of the Red Fort, a grand celebration titled ‘Meri Dilli, Mera Desh’ was organised today, where Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor V. K. Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta jointly reaffirmed the resolve of ‘Ek Bharat, Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. The event marked the Foundation Day of several States and Union Territories including Delhi, Kerala, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, and Lakshadweep. On this occasion, the Chief Minister called upon citizens to unite and take Delhi to new heights of progress and prosperity, stating that Delhi’s true strength lies in its diversity and spirit of inclusion.

The event witnessed the presence of Delhi Government Cabinet Ministers Ashish Sood and Kapil Mishra, senior officials from various departments, artists, students, volunteers, and thousands of spectators, particularly the youth. Artists from different States and Union Territories infused the celebration with splendour and vitality through traditional performances, Punjab’s energetic Bhangra, Kerala’s graceful Mohiniyattam, and Karnataka’s classical Yakshagana mesmerised the audience. Folk songs from Madhya Pradesh and the tribal dances of Chhattisgarh brought alive the earthy essence of India on stage.

Alongside the cultural programmes, projection mapping, a light and sound show, a food festival, and a games zone filled the atmosphere with joy and enthusiasm.
The highlight of the evening was a live concert by renowned singer B Praak, whose fusion of patriotic and folk melodies infused the Red Fort with a profound sense of unity, spirit, and national pride. Another major attraction was the multi-cuisine food court featuring dishes prepared by students and stalls offering Delhi’s famous local delicacies.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that Delhi’s history symbolises resilience, reconstruction, and self-belief. She remarked that Delhi has faced countless adversities and invasions throughout its long history, it has fallen many times but risen each time stronger than before. The Chief Minister noted that the ancient walls of the Red Fort stand as witnesses to Delhi’s rise, decline, and rebirth.

She urged citizens to come together and work for Delhi’s progress, adding that while every resident carries love and respect for their native State, they must also take pride in Delhi and the nation. “That is precisely the sentiment behind the name ‘Meri Dilli, Mera Desh’,” she said. The Chief Minister emphasised that Delhi must now move beyond past challenges from cleaning the Yamuna and curbing pollution to enhancing greenery and improving infrastructure with consistent focus and determination. “Our goal,” she said, “is to make Delhi a developed, clean, and empowered capital of the nation.”

On the occasion of National Unity Day, the Chief Minister paid homage to the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, saying that his legacy continues to inspire and uphold the unity and integrity of the nation. She announced that the Delhi Government has resolved to celebrate the State Day and cultural festivals of every Indian State in the Capital with enthusiasm and grandeur. She congratulated Delhi’s Minister for Culture, Kapil Mishra, for this initiative, and said, “Delhi is the nation’s capital; a city where every festival, culture, and tradition from Jammu & Kashmir to the North-East will be celebrated with equal respect and joy. Delhi will truly embody the spirit of ‘Mini India’.”

The Chief Minister stated that her government has established a tradition of celebrating every festival and public occasion with grace and grandeur since taking office. “This is Delhi, the capital of India, where every State’s festival will be celebrated with equality and pride,” she said.

She appealed to citizens to play an active role in making Delhi clean, green, and beautiful. “We are all members of one big family,” she said. “If every person contributes even one small act for the nation daily whether it is keeping the city clean, planting trees, following civic rules, or helping someone in need then our nation will take 1.4 billion steps forward every day.”

Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said, “If every citizen of India performs one act in the service of the nation daily, the country will move forward relentlessly. That is the spirit we must embrace.” She extended warm wishes to all citizens on National Unity Day and said that Delhi is now moving towards a new chapter of transformation, powered by collective participation.

Education Minister Ashish Sood, addressing the gathering, said, “In 1947, when countless families migrated from Punjab to Delhi with broken hearts, the Red Fort witnessed both their tears and Sardar Patel’s determination, which gave them the assurance that ‘Delhi is yours too.’ Delhi’s vibrancy, energy, and enterprise still reflect that Punjabi resilience, which Patel safeguarded with courage and compassion. Then and now, Delhi has always embraced struggle and turned it into strength. That is the true spirit of Delhi to shelter, to unite, and to uplift and that is our national identity, the spirit that made India the capital of unity and courage.”

Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra said, “Meri Dilli, Mera Desh is not just a slogan; it is a sentiment, a symbol of pride, responsibility, and dedication towards one’s city and nation. Delhi is not merely the capital of India; it is a home for people from every corner of the country. Its diversity, culture, and unity are our greatest strengths. Our commitment is to make Delhi a global capital of cleanliness, safety, culture, and tourism.”

He added, “Through Meri Dilli, Mera Desh, we wish to connect every citizen with this movement to make every Delhiite a partner in preserving and enhancing the city’s beauty, culture, and spirit. When every citizen fulfils their share of responsibility, only then will ‘Meri Dilli’ truly become ‘Mera Desh’.”