Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Vice President's Secretariat on 14th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
On August 14, 2026, Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan addressed a National Seminar for Partition Horrors Remembrance Day at the University of Delhi. The event, themed "The Partition of India - A Saga of Displacement, Separation and Resettlement," aimed to reflect on the historical tragedy while promoting national unity. Key activities included the felicitation of Partition survivors and the administration of a "No Drugs" pledge to the youth.
Key Points / Main Content
Historical and Civilisational Impact
Partition is characterized as one of the largest mass migrations in human history, involving the tragic division of a thousand-year-old civilisational heritage.
The hurried redrawing of borders in 1947 created long-standing disputes that continue to influence India’s defence policy, national security, and international relations.
The division disrupted access to critical cultural and spiritual sites, including the Sindhu River, Kartarpur Sahib, and archaeological heritage sites like Harappa and Mohenjodaro.
Lessons in Leadership and Governance
The Vice-President highlighted that political leadership must show will and determination to make difficult decisions in the national interest during crises.
Responsible decision-making requires adequate advance notice and preparedness to ensure the paramount consideration of public safety and security.
Education and National Identity
It is emphasized that the younger generation must know the full truth of Partition, as reducing such a catastrophe to a few textbook lines risks the repetition of past tragedies.
Citizens are urged to prioritize national identity over narrow affiliations of caste, religion, or region to ensure peace and harmony.
Commemorative Activities
The Centre for Independence and Partition Studies (established in 2023) has recorded oral testimonies from over a hundred survivors to preserve history.
Fifteen Partition survivors were formally felicitated for their resilience and contribution to preserving historical memories.
An exhibition by the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) was organized to showcase the human cost of the Partition.
Impact Analysis
Partition SurvivorsImpact
They received formal recognition and respect for their courage and the "dehumanising" experiences they endured.
Action Required
Continue contributing to the preservation of history by sharing oral testimonies and lived experiences with research centres.
Students and the Younger GenerationImpact
They are identified as the primary recipients of historical education and social guidance.
Action Required
Engage with archives and lectures to understand the truth of Partition and uphold the ‘No Drugs’ pledge by making healthy, constructive life choices.
Citizens of IndiaImpact
The document serves as a reminder that freedom and peace should not be taken for granted.
Action Required
Place the nation above narrower identities (caste, religion, or region) and remain conscious of shared civilisational heritage.
Academic and Historical Institutions (University of Delhi and ICHR)Impact
These bodies are positioned as the custodians of Partition history and public engagement.
Action Required
Continue recording survivor testimonies, maintaining archives, and organizing public events to educate the nation on historical truths.
Key Entities Referenced
Partition Horrors Remembrance Day: An annual national observance commemorated on August 14 to honor the victims and survivors of the displacement during the 1947 Partition of India.
Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan: The Vice-President of India who addressed the national seminar and emphasized the long-term civilizational and security implications of the Partition.
Centre for Independence and Partition Studies, University of Delhi: An academic center established in 2023 dedicated to recording oral testimonies of survivors and studying the historical impact of the Partition.
Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR): A national body that co-organized the seminar and exhibition focused on the displacement, separation, and resettlement resulting from the Partition.
Vice President's Secretariat
Partition saw one of the largest mass migrations
in human history, says Vice-President on the
occasion of Partition Horrors Remembrance Day
Partition was more than redrawing of borders; it divided a
civilisational heritage built over thousands of years: Vice
President
Hurried redrawing of borders created disputes that continue
to have implications even today:Vice President
Our children deserve to know the truth of Partition: Vice-
President
Freedom is precious, unity is essential, peace can never be
taken for granted: Vice-President
प्रव तथ: 14 AUG 2026 6:08PM by PIB Delhi
Vice-President of India Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan today addressed a National Seminar on the occasion of
Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, organised by the Centre for Independence and Partition Studies,
University of Delhi, in association with the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR). The seminar
was held on the theme ‘The Partition of India - A Saga of Displacement, Separation and Resettlement’ and
focused on The Story of India’s Partition (1947).
Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan today addressed a National Seminar on
the occasion of Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, organised by the Centre for
Independence and Partition Studies, University of Delhi, in association with the
Indian Council of Historical Research… pic.twitter.com/jL9imDfFpA
— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) August 14, 2026
Addressing the gathering, the Vice-President paid his deep respects to the survivors of Partition who were
present at the seminar and said that the nation had gathered to reflect on “one of the most tragic and
dehumanising chapters” in its history.
The Vice-President emphasised that the purpose of remembering Partition is not to reopen old wounds
with bitterness, but to move towards greater unity and harmony. As Bharat prepares to celebrate
Independence Day, he said, the nation must pause to remember the sacrifices and suffering of those wholived through Partition.
Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan noted that Independence brought freedom from colonial rule, but was
accompanied by an unprecedented tragedy and one of the largest mass migrations in human history. He
said that the scale of the tragedy remains a stark warning of the devastating consequences of division and
hatred.
The Vice-President appreciated the University of Delhi for establishing the Centre for Independence and
Partition Studies in 2023, dedicated to preserving and studying this history. He noted that, in a short
period, the Centre has recorded the oral testimonies of more than a hundred Partition survivors and
continues to engage young students through lectures, archives and public events.
“Our children deserve to know the truth of Partition,” Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said, stressing that a
catastrophe of such magnitude cannot be reduced to a few lines in a textbook. He recalled the enduring
wisdom that those who fail to remember the past risk repeating its tragedies.
Referring to the wider historical consequences of Partition, the Vice-President said that the hurried
redrawing of borders created disputes that continue to have implications even today. He noted that
Partition has had a lasting impact on India’s defence policy, national security and relations with
neighbouring countries.
Reflecting on the lessons of Partition and the importance of leadership in times of crisis, Shri C. P.
Radhakrishnan said that the will and determination of political leadership are important in taking difficult
decisions in the larger national interest.
Recalling the incidents during Partition, the Vice-President emphasised the importance of preparedness
and responsible decision-making, noting that decisions having a bearing on the safety and security of
people should be taken with adequate advance notice. He stressed that the safety and security of everyone
must always remain a paramount consideration.
He further observed that Partition was not merely a redrawing of political boundaries, but also divided a
civilisational landscape that had remained interconnected for thousands of years. He referred to the
disruption of access to several important civilisational, cultural and spiritual sites, including the Sindhu
river, Kartarpur Sahib, Nankana Sahib, ancient Shaktipeeths, and the archaeological heritage of Harappa,
Mohenjodaro and Takshashila.
The Vice-President urged citizens to place the nation above narrower identities and emphasised that no
caste, religion or region can be more important than the nation. He said that every Indian should feel
proud of being Indian and remain conscious of the shared civilisational heritage and national identity that
binds the country together.
During the occasion, the Vice-President felicitated 15 Partition survivors in recognition of their courage,
resilience and contribution to preserving the memories and lived experiences of Partition.
Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan felicitated the Partition survivors in
recognition of their courage, resilience and contribution to preserving the
memories and lived experiences of Partition on the occasion of Partition Horrors
Remembrance Day in University of Delhi… pic.twitter.com/N4e24iTsio
— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) August 14, 2026
The Vice-President also administered the ‘No Drugs’ pledge to the students, urging the younger generation
to stay away from drugs and make healthy, responsible and constructive choices for their future.Concluding his address, the Vice-President said that Partition Horrors Remembrance Day should remind
the nation that freedom is precious, unity is essential and peace can never be taken for granted.
The Vice-President also witnessed an exhibition organised by the ICHR and the University of Delhi on the
occasion. He said that the exhibits offered a powerful reminder of the enormous human cost of Partition.
Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan also witnessed an exhibition organised
by the ICHR and the University of Delhi on the occasion of Partition Horrors
Remembrance Day. He said that the exhibits offered a powerful reminder of the
enormous human cost of Partition. pic.twitter.com/wBF2Wgm0r5
— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) August 14, 2026
The seminar was attended by Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi, Prof. Yogesh Singh; Chairman, ICHR,
Prof. Raghuvendra Tanwar; Dean of Colleges, Prof. Balram Pani; Registrar, Dr. Vikas Gupta, besides
academics, scholars, students and Partition survivors.
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