By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:A play has been staged in various languages of the country on the theme of the national anthem “Vande Mataram”, which has become an inspiration for everyone in the freedom struggle movement. It is very rare in the world that the title of a song has been used consistently as a political slogan and background music for 150 years. Senior leader Shri Golak Mohapatra said that the song “Vande Mataram” is a symbol of patriotism, self-confidence and unity.
At a program organized at the State Office to mark the 150th anniversary of “Vande Mataram”, Shri Mohapatra said that this song, composed by the famous Bengali writer Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay on November 7, 1875, was first published in the monthly literary magazine “Banga Darshan” edited by him.
That first edition has now completed 150 years. The title of the song “Vande Mataram” has been used as a political slogan since 1905. In 1896, at the Congress session held in Calcutta, the world poet Rabindranath Tagore himself composed the song “Vande Mataram” and sang it in his own voice. English newspapers were published in Calcutta and London under the name “Vande Mataram”. On January 24, 1950, the Constituent Assembly adopted the Jangan Mana as the national anthem and “Vande Mataram” as the national song.
This song has been sung as the official anthem in political rallies of India from 1896 to 1947. To commemorate this great tradition, the 150th anniversary of this song is being celebrated across the country at the call of the esteemed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. On this occasion, Modi today released a commemorative postage stamp and a 150 rupee coin. Senior leaders Professor Purna Chandra Mallick and Shri Bhubananand Tripathi have informed that the 150th anniversary celebrations of this great song will be organized in various assembly constituencies of the state till November 26.
On this occasion, Shri Mohapatra made the workers present take an oath to adopt indigenous materials and objects.Among others, former deputy leader Sukeshi Oram, state spokesperson Satyabrat Panda, Dilip Mallick, Sushant Jena and many other party leaders and workers were present at the event.
