Veer Gatha 5.0 Awards Celebrate Student Creativity and India’s Gallantry Heroes

Veer Gatha 5.0 Awards Honour Young Storytellers of Bravery

The Veer Gatha 5.0 awards ceremony , held in New Delhi, celebrated the creativity and patriotic spirit of students who brought alive the stories of India’s gallantry heroes through poems, paintings, essays, and digital art. The winners were felicitated by Sanjay Seth, Minister of State for Defence , and Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State for Education , reaffirming the government’s emphasis on nurturing national values through education.

Nationwide and Global Participation

Veer Gatha 5.0 witnessed its highest participation since inception , with nearly 1.92 crore students from around 1.92 lakh schools taking part. From this massive pool, 100 national-level winners were selected from 91 schools across 18 countries , reflecting the initiative’s growing global reach among Indian diaspora students as well.

Each winner received a cash award of ₹10,000 and the honour of attending the Republic Day Parade 2026 at Kartavya Path as a special guest, giving students a direct connection with national celebrations.

Student Creations Highlight Unsung Heroes

The award-winning entries showcased India’s diverse historical and regional heroes.

• Akshita Sharma from Air Force School, Coimbatore, wrote a poem on Rani Gaidinliu of Nagaland, highlighting her resistance against colonial rule and the honour bestowed on her by Jawaharlal Nehru .

• Ivaan Agarwal , studying in Malaysia, created an artwork on Kamlesh Kumari , recalling her bravery during the 2001 Parliament attack .

• Manisha Gupta from Rajasthan painted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj , expressing pride in receiving national recognition for portraying a timeless symbol of courage and leadership.

These narratives demonstrated how history, art, and national pride intersect to inspire young minds.

Linking Education with Patriotism

Veer Gatha is a joint initiative of the Ministries of Defence and Education , launched in 2021 during Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav . The programme encourages students to learn about gallantry award winners and freedom fighters through creative engagement rather than rote learning, making patriotism experiential and inclusive.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• Veer Gatha is a joint initiative of the Ministries of Defence and Education

• Launched in 2021 during Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav

• Veer Gatha 5.0 selected 100 national-level winners

• Winners attend the Republic Day Parade as special guests

• The programme highlights stories of Gallantry Award recipients

Building Values Through Creative Learning

Project Veer Gatha aims to instil patriotism, civic responsibility, and respect for the armed forces among students in India and abroad. By blending creativity with history, the