Vijay Srivastava
26 December 2025 ,New Delhi
On the solemn occasion of Veer Bal Diwas at Thyagraj Stadium, Delhi, The Education Minister of Delhi, Ashish Sood, delivered a deeply reflective and inspiring address, highlighting the historical, moral, and educational significance of commemorating the supreme sacrifice of the Sahibzadas. His speech underlined that Veer Bal Diwas is not merely a ceremonial observance, but a powerful reminder of India’s civilizational values and moral strength.
Veer Bal Diwas A Tribute to India’s Civilizational Conscience
Ashish Sood stated that Veer Bal Diwas goes far beyond remembrance. It represents a public acknowledgement of India’s civilizational conscience, which for decades was either ignored or deliberately sidelined. The bravery, sacrifice, and martyrdom of the Sahibzadas, he said, do not belong to one community alone. They are part of India’s collective soul—an आत्मा that stands firmly with truth, refuses to bow before injustice, and draws strength from righteousness. He emphasized that this timeless tradition of courage and moral clarity flows directly from the vision of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, where faith, nation, and morality move together toward a common purpose. According to Shri Sood, the Sahibzadas are a living symbol of values that define India’s identity.
Why Were Such Stories Kept Away From Our Youth?
Raising a serious and thought-provoking question, Ashish Sood asked why, for decades after Independence, India’s younger generations were kept away from such heroic narratives. He pointed out that the education system often reduced ideals such as courage, sacrifice, and standing for dharma to mere footnotes.He asserted that this was not an accidental omission but a consequence of ideological slavery rooted in the Macaulay mindset, which attempted to disconnect Indians from their ancestors and turn society into a rootless and value-neutral structure. The sacrifice of the Sahibzadas, he said, was uncomfortable for such thinking because it inspires faith, selflessness, and the courage to stand against injustice—qualities that certain power structures often fear.
Breaking Free From the Colonial Mindset
Sood said that the grand observance of Veer Bal Diwas today clearly shows that India has decisively moved beyond this colonial mindset under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He recalled that on 9 January 2022, the Prime Minister declared 26 December as Veer Bal Diwas on the occasion of Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Prakash Purab. This decision Sood said, was not merely symbolic but a strong ideological statement that India will now draw strength from its own history rather than shy away from it. Initiatives such as the Kartarpur Corridor and the safe return of sacred Sikh relics reflect a consistent vision of respect, responsibility, and national pride.
Honouring the Gurus Is a Duty, Not Politics
Highlighting several historic commemorations, Ashish Sood said that events such as the 550th Prakash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the 350th Prakash Purab of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and the 400th Prakash Purab of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji were not political exercises. Instead, they were the fulfilment of the nation’s responsibility towards the Gurus, society, and future generations. He noted that Veer Bal Diwas reminds the country of this very sense of duty—one that binds faith, history, and national consciousness together.
Delhi Government’s Commitment to Respect Through Policy
Speaking about governance in Delhi, Sood said that the Delhi Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, formed after a gap of 27 years, believes that true respect is not shown only through speeches but through thoughtful and inclusive policies. Over the past ten months, he said, the government has worked sensitively and institutionally with all communities, ensuring that respect, inclusion, and cultural understanding are reflected in decision-making and administration.
Teaching Values Through History in Delhi Schools
Concluding his address, Ashish Sood emphasized that Veer Bal Diwas is not just an event but a powerful educational medium. It teaches Delhi’s children that history is shaped not merely by dates and timelines, but by values such as courage, justice, sacrifice, and civic responsibility. He said that today, students in Delhi schools are learning from the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas the true meaning of standing up for righteousness and serving the nation. This, he affirmed, is the essence of true education and true nation-building. Ashish Sood expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta for this inspiring initiative, stating that such efforts ensure that future generations grow up rooted in values, courage, and a deep sense of national responsibility.