Defence Minister assures support for an alternative venue for Durga Puja celebrations in Lucknow
Lucknow, October 2026: Defence Minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh expressed hope that, with the blessings of Goddess Durga, India would gain the strength and capability to once again attain the position of Vishwa Guru, or a global leader in knowledge and wisdom. He said India's prestige on the international stage had risen significantly, with the world now listening to the country's views with greater attention and seriousness.
Rajnath Singh was addressing a Durga Puja celebration organised in Sector E of Jankipuram in Lucknow on Friday. Extending his heartfelt greetings to people on the auspicious occasion of Navratri, he prayed to Goddess Durga to bless the country and its citizens. He said he wished for the Goddess's grace to empower India to regain its position as Vishwa Guru.
The Defence Minister observed that India's growing influence and standing on international platforms reflected the country's increasing strength and capabilities. In the past, he said, India's views were not always taken as seriously by the international community. Today, however, the world listened attentively to what India had to say.
He expressed confidence that the country's growing capabilities would help it move towards its aspirations of greater global prominence.
Goddess Durga Symbolises Boundless Power: Rajnath Singh
Describing Goddess Durga as Adishakti—the primordial power—Rajnath Singh said that she was eternal and infinite, and that her power had no limits.
He noted that devotees worship different forms of Goddess Durga during the nine days of Navratri, seeking her blessings, strength and guidance.
The Defence Minister said that whenever he attended a religious programme, his attention remained focused on the deity whose worship formed the purpose of the gathering. On such occasions, he preferred to remember the deity and seek blessings rather than speak at length.
He explained that his presence at the Durga Puja celebration was guided by the same sentiment: to seek the blessings of Goddess Durga and extend his greetings to everyone on the sacred occasion of Navratri.
Rajnath Singh said that religious and cultural celebrations were sustained by faith and devotion. The inspiration and grace of Goddess Durga, he added, gave people the energy to organise such large-scale events year after year.
He prayed that the Goddess would bless India with prosperity, strength and progress, enabling the country to advance towards its national aspirations.
Rajnath Singh Assures Support for an Alternative Venue
During the celebration, members of the organising committee raised concerns about the future availability of the existing venue and requested assistance in identifying an alternative location for organising Durga Puja in the coming years.
Responding to the request, Rajnath Singh assured the organisers that efforts would be made to identify another suitable venue within Lucknow city.
He said there was also a possibility that an even larger site could be made available in the future, allowing the committee to organise the celebration on a grander scale than at present.
The Defence Minister urged the organisers not to worry about the issue. He emphasised that the tradition of holding religious and cultural programmes such as Durga Puja should continue uninterrupted.
He said such celebrations were rooted in faith and devotion and played an important role in preserving religious and cultural traditions. Providing a suitable venue would help ensure that the festivities could continue to be organised with enthusiasm and participation.
Rajnath Singh once again extended his greetings to the people on Navratri and prayed to Goddess Durga to bless the country with prosperity, strength and continued development.
Senior Leaders and Public Representatives Attend Celebration
Several prominent political leaders, elected representatives and members of the organising committee attended the event.
Those present included Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak; Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharkwal; local MLA Dr Neeraj Bora; BJP Lucknow Metropolitan President Anand Dwivedi; MLCs Mukesh Sharma and Pawan Singh Chauhan; Ramchandra Pradhan; MLA O.P. Srivastava; Special Executive Officer K.P. Singh; MP representative Diwakar Tripathi; and Public Relations Officer Raghavendra Shukla.
Others in attendance included BBD Chairman Viraj Sagar; Uttar Pradesh Cooperative Gram Vikas Bank Chairman Vivek Singh Tomar; city general secretary Ghanshyam Das Agrawal; city media in-charge Anurag Sahu; State Backward Classes Commission member Ramesh Toofani; councillor Raghavram Tiwari; Mansingh Yadav; councillor representative Saurabh Tiwari; organising committee president B.N. Mishra; general secretary Rakesh Pandey; convenor Saurabh Bandopadhyay; Kamleshwar Soni; and Lavkush Trivedi, along with several other distinguished citizens.
The programme was conducted by Shailendra Sharma Atal.
