The Vice-President’s engagements will begin on Friday, January 02, when he will preside over the 34th Convocation of Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute University in Chennai.
During the ceremony, degrees are expected to be conferred upon graduating students across multiple disciplines. The Vice-President is also likely to address students and faculty, emphasising the importance of education, innovation, and ethical leadership in nation-building.
Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute is a prominent private university in Tamil Nadu, known for its contributions to professional and technical education.
Literary Recognition and Cultural Engagements
Later in the day, Shri Radhakrishnan will attend the prestigious Ram Nath Goenka Sahitya Samman ceremony at Taj Coromandel, Chennai. The award recognises excellence in literature and intellectual contribution to Indian society.
In the evening, the Vice-President will participate in a public reception at Kalaivanar Arangam, one of Chennai’s most iconic cultural venues. The event is expected to witness participation from citizens, academicians, artists, and public representatives.
This will be followed by a civic reception hosted in his honour by the Governor of Tamil Nadu at Lok Bhavan, highlighting the state’s tradition of warm civic hospitality.
Spiritual and Traditional Knowledge Events
On Saturday, January 03, the Vice-President will travel to Vellore to attend the 50th Golden Jubilee Jayanthi Celebrations of Sri Sakthi Amma at the Vellore Golden Temple.
The event marks five decades of spiritual service and social outreach associated with Sri Sakthi Amma and is expected to draw devotees from across the country.
Later in the afternoon, Shri Radhakrishnan will return to Chennai to attend the 9th Siddha Day Celebrations at Kalaivanar Arangam in Triplicane.
Focus on Siddha and Indigenous Systems
Siddha Day is observed to promote awareness about the Siddha system of medicine, one of India’s oldest traditional healthcare practices. The Vice-President’s participation underscores the national importance of preserving and promoting indigenous knowledge systems.
The celebrations will feature discussions by practitioners, scholars, and policymakers on the relevance of Siddha medicine in contemporary healthcare.
Strengthening Centre-State Connect
The two-day visit is expected to further strengthen the connect between the constitutional office of the Vice-President and the people of Tamil Nadu. By engaging with diverse sectors—education, literature, culture, spirituality, and traditional medicine—the visit reflects a broad and inclusive approach to public service.