On Sunday, September 28, 2025, Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan delivered a powerful message at the valedictory function of the Unmesha International Literature Festival in Patna, Bihar. He firmly stated that the profound concept of “dharma” is the fundamental force that has kept India united, even as its people speak a multitude of different languages.
Recalling a conversation, the Vice-President shared, “A dignitary from Europe once questioned how India manages to remain united without a common language. My response was simple: while our people may converse in various tongues, they are bound together by the unifying spirit of dharma.”
This visit marked Mr. Radhakrishnan’s first official trip to Bihar as Vice-President. He received a warm welcome upon his arrival at the airport, where he was greeted by Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha.
During his address, Vice-President Radhakrishnan affectionately referred to Governor Khan as “an old friend,” reminiscing about their shared tenure as Members of Parliament.
Earlier in the day, en route to the festival venue, the Vice-President paused to offer floral tributes at the statue of the revered socialist leader, Jayaprakash Narayan. Reflecting on his personal history, Mr. Radhakrishnan spoke of his deep involvement with the ‘Loknayak’s’ vision. “At the tender age of 19, I immersed myself in the Sampoorna Kranti (Total Revolution) movement initiated by Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, eventually serving as a district general secretary for this transformative cause,” he recounted. This early dedication stemmed from his beginnings as a volunteer for the RSS in his home state of Tamil Nadu.