Delhi celebrates Foundation Day with ‘Meri Dilli Mera Desh, Unity in Diversity’ at Red Fort

The historic Red Fort came alive on Saturday evening as Delhi celebrated its Foundation Day with a grand event titled ‘Meri Dilli, Mera Desh’. The celebration, attended by Lieutenant-Governor VK Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, also marked the Foundation Day of several states and Union Territories including Delhi, Kerala, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, and Lakshadweep.

Reaffirming the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta urged citizens to unite for Delhi’s progress, saying, “We must unite to take Delhi to new heights of development” and “We must all love the capital and say with pride, Meri Dilli, Mera Desh.”

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta highlighted Delhi’s resilience through history, noting, “Delhi has faced countless adversities and invasions throughout its long history, it has fallen many times but risen each time stronger than before.” She urged citizens to take pride in both their native states and the national capital, adding, “That is precisely the sentiment behind the name ‘Meri Dilli, Mera Desh’.”

On National Unity Day, she paid homage to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and announced that the Delhi Government would celebrate the State Day and cultural festivals of every Indian State in the Capital. “Delhi will truly embody the spirit of ‘Mini India’,” she said.

Education Minister Ashish Sood reflected on Delhi’s legacy, stating, “Then and now, Delhi has always embraced struggle and turned it into strength. That is the true spirit of Delhi, to shelter, to unite, and to uplift.”

Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra added, “Meri Dilli, Mera Desh is not just a slogan; it is a sentiment, a symbol of pride, responsibility, and dedication towards one’s city and nation.”

The celebration concluded with a collective call for unity, pride, and citizen participation in building a clean, green, and inclusive Delhi.

The event featured vibrant performances from across India, from Punjab’s energetic Bhangra to Kerala’s graceful Mohiniyattam and Karnataka’s classical Yakshagana. Folk songs from Madhya Pradesh and the tribal dances of Chhattisgarh added to the evening’s cultural splendour. A light and sound show, projection mapping, a food festival, and a live concert by singer B Praak infused the celebration with colour and energy.