Vice-President of India, CP Radhakrishnan, is set for a significant two-day official tour across three prominent regions of South India. His itinerary for December 29 and 30 includes a packed schedule of civic engagements, academic functions, and cultural celebrations in the Union Territory of Puducherry and the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Day One: Engagements in Puducherry and Kerala
The Vice-President's tour commences on December 29 in Puducherry. His first major engagement here will be attending a civic reception organized in his honour. Following this, he will perform the unveiling ceremony of a statue dedicated to the revered Mahakavi Bharathiar, the celebrated Tamil poet and freedom fighter.
In a move supporting urban development, the Vice-President will also launch a housing project under the central government's Smart City Mission in Puducherry. The academic highlight of his Puducherry schedule is his role as the Chief Guest at the 30th Convocation of Pondicherry University, where he will address the graduating students.
Later on the same day, Radhakrishnan will travel to the neighbouring state of Kerala. In the capital city, he is scheduled to attend the vibrant Trivandrum Fest 2025, a key cultural event showcasing the heritage of the region.
Day Two: Spiritual and Academic Functions
On December 30, the Vice-President's day will begin on a spiritual note in Kerala. He will participate in the 93rd Sivagiri Pilgrimage at Varkala, a major annual event for the Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom followers.
Shifting focus to academia, he will then inaugurate the public meeting marking the conclusion of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of Mar Ivanios College in Thiruvananthapuram. This event celebrates 75 years of the institution's contribution to education.
Valedictory in Tamil Nadu
The final leg of his tour takes him to Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. Here, Vice-President Radhakrishnan will participate as the Chief Guest at the valedictory ceremony of Kashi-Tamil Sangamam 4.0. This initiative is a government-led cultural exchange program that strengthens the historical and civilizational bonds between the people of Kashi (Varanasi) and Tamil Nadu.
Reflections on Leadership and Values
This southern tour follows the Vice-President's recent participation in the birth centenary celebrations of former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The event was organized by the Atal Foundation.
Addressing the gathering, Radhakrishnan reflected on the qualities of great leadership. He recalled a couplet from the ancient Tamil classic, Thirukkural, emphasizing that while all humans are born equal, true greatness is forged through one's deeds and actions.
Praising Vajpayee, the Vice-President stated that the late leader was "no ordinary individual but a mission in himself". He noted that Vajpayee always remained "Atal" (steadfast) in his commitment to core principles and values. Radhakrishnan highlighted that Vajpayee is fondly remembered as an exemplary statesman, administrator, parliamentarian, poet, and, above all, a great human being.
The Vice-President's two-day southern sojourn underscores his engagement with diverse aspects of Indian society—from development projects and higher education to spiritual traditions and cultural unity, reinforcing the connective fabric of the nation.
