New Delhi:
The Delhi Legislative Assembly Secretariat has announced that Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will unveil the portraits of Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Bharat Ratna Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya at the Delhi Legislative Assembly on January 3, 2026. The portraits will be installed in the Assembly House as a mark of respect and as a lasting tribute to the immense contributions of the two national icons to India’s democracy, education, culture and public life.
The programme, announced by Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta, is being described as a historic initiative celebrating India’s parliamentary traditions and national consciousness. Along with the unveiling of the portraits, a coffee table book titled *“Bharat Mata”* will also be released on the occasion. The publication presents Indian nationalism through paintings, architecture and literature, and has been brought out to commemorate 150 years of the composition of the national song *Vande Mataram*.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will attend the programme as the Chief Guest. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Padma Bhushan awardee Ram Bahadur Rai, Chairman of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, will be present as Distinguished Guests. The event will also be attended by Parvesh Sahib Singh, Minister for Legislative Affairs, Government of Delhi, and Mohan Singh Bisht, Deputy Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly. The function will be presided over by Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta. Artists from Sahitya Kala Parishad will present a patriotic cultural programme reflecting India’s artistic and national heritage.
Ahead of the event, the Speaker chaired a high-level meeting with senior officers from the Delhi Police, Public Works Department, Horticulture Department, Fire Services, Health Department and officials of the Delhi Legislative Assembly Secretariat to review preparations. During the meeting, Vijender Gupta issued detailed directions to ensure smooth and dignified conduct of the programme, with special focus on security arrangements, crowd management, traffic regulation, parking facilities, fire safety and medical preparedness.
Officials informed that around 1,000 people are expected to attend the programme. All concerned departments have been instructed to work in close coordination to ensure the event is conducted in a safe, orderly and seamless manner.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a distinguished statesman, three-time Prime Minister and renowned orator-poet, played a decisive role in shaping modern India. His leadership strengthened national security, advanced economic reforms and significantly enhanced India’s standing on the global stage. Widely respected across political lines, his legacy continues to influence India’s democratic and parliamentary traditions.
Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, revered as Mahamana, was a prominent freedom fighter, educationist and parliamentarian. He made enduring contributions to India’s independence movement and social reform. A strong opponent of the Rowlatt Act, he delivered five historic speeches against it, including one that lasted six and a half hours. As a member of the Imperial Legislative Council from 1910 to 1920, he delivered 240 speeches, followed by another 200 speeches in the Central Legislative Assembly between 1924 and 1930, creating a remarkable record of 440 speeches devoted to national welfare.
Speaking on the occasion, Speaker Vijender Gupta said the installation of the portraits is a meaningful tribute to two towering personalities whose lives were dedicated to national service and democratic values. He said their ideals of patriotism, courage and public service continue to inspire legislators and citizens alike.
Elaborating on the coffee table book *“Bharat Mata”*, the Speaker said the publication brings together visual and literary expressions that trace the evolution of India’s national thought and cultural identity. The book reflects how the idea of the nation has been expressed through different artistic traditions over time and offers readers a deeper understanding of India’s national consciousness.
The coffee table book presents carefully curated works of painting, architecture and literature, highlighting the emotional bond between the nation and its people. Published to mark 150 years of *Vande Mataram*, the volume underscores the role of artistic expression in shaping and sustaining India’s identity, unity and cultural pride across generations.
The Delhi Legislative Assembly has expressed pride in commemorating the legacies of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Madan Mohan Malaviya through this special programme. The event aims to serve as a reminder of their enduring contributions to democracy, public life and national development, and to inspire future generations to uphold the values they championed.
