August 15, 2026 1:57 AM

President Murmu confers distinguished, meritorious service medals on 16 RPF/RPSF personnel

President Droupadi Murmu has approved the conferment of the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) and Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) on 16 officers and personnel of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) on the occasion of Independence Day 2026. Rajesh Lal, Assistant Security Commissioner at the Railway Board, has been awarded the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service in recognition of his distinguished service. Fifteen other o...

August 14, 2026 11:50 PM

President Murmu approves 78 gallantry awards, including 13 posthumous, on eve of Independence Day

President Droupadi Murmu has approved 78 gallantry awards, including 13 posthumous honours, for personnel of the Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces on the eve of the 80th Independence Day. The awards recognise acts of exceptional courage, bravery and devotion to duty by personnel of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and Central Armed Police Forces. The 78 gallantry awards include nine Kirti Chakras, including seven posthumous; one Bar to Shaurya Chakra; 19 Shaurya Chakra...

August 14, 2026 11:19 PM

PM Modi hails President Murmu’s Independence Day address, says her message inspires renewed determination for Viksit Bharat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday praised President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the nation on the eve of the 80th Independence Day, describing it as “motivating and thoughtful”. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "A motivating and thoughtful address by Rashtrapati Ji on the eve of Independence Day. Her thoughts reflect the strength of our nation and the aspirations of every Indian. Her message inspires us all to work with renewed determination for a Viksit Bharat." In her address, Presid...

August 14, 2026 8:22 PM

President Murmu calls for collective effort to build Viksit Bharat by 2047, highlights development, national security and women-led growth

President Droupadi Murmu, in her address to the nation on the eve of the 80th Independence Day, called upon citizens to work collectively towards building a developed India by 2047, while highlighting the country's progress in inclusive development, digital infrastructure, women's empowerment, youth participation, national security and environmental protection. Addressing the nation on Thursday evening, the President extended her greetings to citizens in India and abroad and said that the Trico...

August 14, 2026 7:16 PM

President Murmu extends greetings to citizens on eve of Parsi New Year Navroz

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday extended her greetings and best wishes to citizens in India and abroad, particularly members of the Parsi community, on the eve of Parsi New Year Navroz. In her message, the President described Navroz as a festival symbolising new beginnings and renewed hope, saying it reminds people of the values of co-existence and service to humanity. She highlighted the contribution of the Parsi community to India's development, particularly through its spirit of enterpri...

August 14, 2026 5:32 PM

President Murmu opens Amrit Udyan at Rashtrapati Bhavan; people can visit from Aug 16

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday graced the opening of the Summer Annuals Edition 2026 of Amrit Udyan at Rashtrapati Bhavan, which will be open to the public from August 16 to September 15. The 15-acre garden will remain open from 10 am to 6 pm, with the last entry at 5 pm. It will remain closed on Mondays for maintenance. Visitors can enter and exit through Gate No. 35 near North Avenue Road. Entry to Amrit Udyan will be free, but visitors will have to book their slots online in advance thr...

August 13, 2026 11:21 PM

President Murmu to address nation on eve of 80th Independence Day

President Droupadi Murmu will address the nation on Friday, August 14, on the eve of India’s 80th Independence Day, the President's Secretariat said on Thursday. The President’s address will be broadcast at 7 pm across the national network of Akashvani and telecast on all channels of Doordarshan. The address will first be broadcast and telecast in Hindi, followed by the English version. Doordarshan’s regional channels will subsequently broadcast the address in regional languages. Akashv...

August 13, 2026 5:22 PM

President Murmu presents Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Awards for 2024 and 2025

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday presented the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards for 2024 and 2025 to eminent artists at a ceremony in New Delhi. Addressing the gathering, President Murmu said the artists being honoured represent a cultural map of India, carrying forward the country's diverse traditions through stories, songs, dances, festivals, languages and dialects that have evolved over centuries. She highlighted the diversity of India's musical traditi...

August 12, 2026 10:32 AM

President Murmu to confer Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Awards on August 13

President Droupadi Murmu will confer the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships (Akademi Ratna) and Awards (Akademi Puraskar) for 2024 and 2025 on 115 artists at a special investiture ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on August 13. The awards recognise outstanding and sustained contributions to India's performing arts, covering music, dance, theatre, folk and tribal arts, puppetry, traditional theatre and other allied forms. Seven eminent artists have been selected for the Sangeet Natak Akadem...

August 7, 2026 5:46 PM

President Murmu presents top handloom awards, calls for technology-driven growth of India’s weaving sector

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday urged greater adoption of modern technology and digital platforms to ensure the sustainable growth of India's handloom sector, while emphasising the need to encourage young entrepreneurs, designers and startups to connect traditional crafts with contemporary markets and global value chains. The President was addressing the 12th National Handloom Day celebrations at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre (RBCC), where she presented the prestigious Sant Kabir Ha...