Reviving the Spirit of Vande Mataram: 150 Years On

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the enduring impact of Vande Mataram during a Lok Sabha discussion marking its 150th anniversary. Reflecting on its role during British rule and the Emergency, Modi highlighted its historical significance as a unifying force. He urged the nation to seize the opportunity to honor its legacy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a reflective address, highlighted the significance of Vande Mataram as it reached its 150th year, during a special session in the Lok Sabha. He lamented the 'throttling' of the Constitution during the Emergency, a time when the national song marked its centenary.

Modi described the Emergency as a 'dark chapter' in India's history and underscored the role of Vande Mataram as a source of strength and unity against British oppression. Modi called upon the nation to embrace the opportunity to restore its historical glory.

The Prime Minister recounted the poem's inception amid post-1857 British crackdowns and its power to galvanize the Indian freedom movement. He paid tribute to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the poem's author, for his defiant spirit against colonial pressures.

(With inputs from agencies.)