Haryana Diamond Jubilee: President Murmu Attends Kurukshetra Celebrations as PM Modi Hails 60 Years of Progress
President Droupadi Murmu attended Haryana’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations at Kurukshetra on 1 November 2026 as chief guest, marking 60 years since the state was formed on 1 November 1966.
The state-level programme was held at Kurukshetra University. Earlier in the day the President offered prayers at the Shri Devikoop Bhadrakali Temple in Kurukshetra, accompanied by Governor Asim Kumar Ghosh and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. At the university she unveiled the diamond jubilee logo, inspected an exhibition tracing Haryana’s development over six decades and its vision for 2047, and launched the poster of the Ratnavali festival.
In her address, the President recalled the contribution of a 12-year-old girl from Rewari to the freedom struggle, who had taken part in the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930, defied the salt law and donated savings collected over several years to the movement. She called on the state government to document such little-known contributions, and praised Haryana’s women athletes, including shooter Manu Bhaker and boxers Saweety Boora and Jaismine Lamboria, as a matter of national pride.
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini welcomed the President on behalf of the state’s nearly 2.75 crore residents and said her presence was a matter of immense pride and honour for Haryana. He described the state’s journey from backwardness to progress, noting that although Haryana covers only 1.34 per cent of India’s geographical area, it contributes about 3.6 per cent of the country’s GDP, produces two out of every three passenger cars made in India, and accounts for more than 60 per cent of India’s basmati rice exports.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also greeted the people of Haryana on Foundation Day, calling the state the pride of the nation, adorned with a glorious history, remarkable valour and a rich culture. He said Haryana’s folk traditions and vibrant rural culture have enriched the country’s cultural heritage, and praised its people for proving their talent and determination across agriculture, sports, defence services, industry, education and startups. Union Home Minister Amit Shah greeted the state as a land of valour, labour and prosperity, praising its soldiers, athletes and hardworking farmers.
Chief Minister Saini thanked the Prime Minister for his message and pledged the state’s 2.80 crore families to the national resolve of Viksit Bharat 2047, citing unprecedented progress in education, sports, infrastructure, farmer welfare, women’s empowerment and startups. The Kurukshetra programme also included the annual celebration marking the centenary of the sacrifice of Swami Shraddhanand at Gurukul, Kurukshetra.
