The Uttarakhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights organized a grand, dignified, and inspiring program on the auspicious occasion of Veer Bal Diwas, 2025, on December 24, 2025, at the IRDT Auditorium, Survey Chowk, Dehradun. The objective of the program was to pay homage to the unparalleled courage, sacrifice, and unwavering faith of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, and to spread awareness among children about courage, moral values, self-respect, and their rights. Veer Bal Diwas is dedicated to the memory of those immortal child heroes in the history of India who, even at a very young age, refused to bow down to injustice and sacrificed their lives while remaining steadfast on the path of truth and righteousness. The program organized on this occasion not only commemorated their bravery but also highlighted the importance of protecting, safeguarding, and empowering children’s rights in the present times.
The program was attended by Dr. Shiv Kumar Barnwal, Secretary, Uttarakhand Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Dr. Satish Kumar Singh, Under Secretary, Uttarakhand Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Shri Narendrajeet Singh Bindra, Chairman, Hemkund Sahib Trust/Former Chairman, Minority Commission, Shri Vinod Kaparwan, Former Member, Uttarakhand Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Shri Abhinav Shah, Chief Development Officer, Dehradun, Shri P.L. Bharti, Education Department, and the Commission’s team.
The program began with registration, which saw a large number of students from various schools, teachers, social workers, administrative officers, commission officials, and the general public in attendance. During the registration session, participants were informed about the program’s outline, and specially prepared materials for children were distributed.
The session commenced with the lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries on the dais, followed by a brief introduction to the program and felicitation of the special guests. The Hon’ble Chairperson of the Uttarakhand Commission for Protection of Child Rights presented a bouquet to the Chief Guest, Hon’ble Minister Smt. Rekha Arya (Department of Women Empowerment and Child Development). The lighting of the lamp conveyed a symbolic message of the light of truth, courage, and knowledge. The inaugural session set a serious, inspiring, and emotional tone for the entire program. Following the inauguration, all the children, teachers, and dignitaries present in the auditorium sang India’s national song, ‘Vande Mataram,’ in unison, which was presented by the children of a government school. The children’s heartfelt performance filled the auditorium with a sense of patriotism and pride. This presentation strongly reflected the program’s objective of highlighting responsibility towards the country, society, and children.
Following this, the Honorable Chairperson of the Commission, Dr. Geeta Khanna, delivered the keynote address. In her address, she highlighted the historical significance of Veer Bal Diwas, stating that the martyrdom of the Sahibzadas is not merely an event of the past, but a living message for today’s society. She discussed children’s rights, education, protection, respect, and participation in detail and affirmed that the Commission is continuously committed to the all-round development and safety of children.
After the address by the Honorable Chairperson, Mr. Abhinav Shah, Chief Development Officer of Dehradun district, delivered a guest address. He provided information about the schemes being run by the administration for the welfare of children and said that the future of society is in the hands of children, therefore, it is our collective responsibility to keep them safe, educated, and empowered. He stated that the state government is actively working on all the schemes being run for children and continuous efforts are being made to benefit as many children as possible.
A special highlight of the program was the musical performance based on Veer Bal Diwas. Students from Gurmat Sangeet Bal Vidyalaya, Hemkunt Sahib Management Trust, gave a heartfelt and spiritual performance of Gurbani Kirtan, which deeply moved all those present. The dignified presence and guidance of Sardar Narendrajeet Singh Bindra Ji, President of Gurdwara Sri Hemkunt Sahib Management Trust, further enhanced the grandeur and purpose of the program. This event conveyed a powerful message of drawing inspiration from the courage, sacrifice, and devotion of the Sahibzadas and instilling moral and cultural values in the new generation. Following this, the Honorable Minister of the Uttarakhand Government, Smt. Rekha Arya (Department of Women Empowerment and Child Development), graced the occasion as the special guest, offering her blessings and words of encouragement to the children. In her inspiring address, she paid tribute to the sacrifice of the Sahibzadas, stating that Veer Bal Diwas is not just a day of remembrance, but a day of resolve. A resolve to ensure that every child receives a safe, dignified, and opportunity-filled future. The Honorable Minister described the children as the bright future of the country and encouraged them to move forward with confidence and strong values. The Honorable Minister presented awards to eight children who had excelled in various fields. The award recipients included Daniraja Tripura (Table Tennis), Hemphu Sarmon Angdhi (Essay Writing), Suraj Devvarma (Sports), Ankit Patel (Sports), and Vaishnavi Singh (Yoga), while three children (Vaishnavi Singh, Yamair Tomar, and Yohana Tomar) had given their best performance at the national level in shooting. This greatly encouraged the children
