Dharmendra Pradhan calls for making collective singing of 'Vande Mataram' in all classrooms a tradition

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday called for establishing collective singing of "Vande Mataram" in every classroom as a "powerful" tradition and help it evolve into a mass movement.

Addressing a programme at Delhi University's Ramjas College, to mark the 150th anniversary of the national song, he also remarked that it will serve as a guiding light in building a developed and prosperous India.

"May our young companions sing the full version of Vande Mataram and become carriers of its spirit at the University of Delhi. The university will play a major role in transforming the timeless spirit of Vande Mataram into a people's movement and connecting it with future generations," Pradhan said.


"Let the collective singing of Vande Mataram in every classroom of the university be established as a powerful tradition; only then will it evolve into a mass movement. Back then, we sang Vande Mataram for freedom; today, Vande Mataram will serve as our guiding light in building a developed and prosperous India," he added.

The Union education minister noted that it was inspiring to have the privilege of collectively singing the national song alongside the students of Ramjas College.

"After long struggles and sacrifices of countless nation-servers, we attained Independence in 1947; Vande Mataram was the proclamation of that national consciousness which wove the entire country into a single thread," he said.

According to the Union Culture Ministry, 'Vande Mataram' by Bankim Chandra Chatterji is believed to have been written during the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Navami, which fell on November 7 in 1875.

It first appeared in the literary journal Bangadarshan as part of his novel Anandamath, which was published in a serialised manner and later as a standalone book in 1882.

The song, invoking the motherland as the embodiment of strength, prosperity and divinity, gave poetic expression to India's awakening spirit of unity and self-respect.

It soon became an enduring symbol of devotion to the nation. On January 24, 1950, Rajendra Prasad, then President of the Constituent Assembly, declared that 'Vande Mataram', having played a historic role in the freedom struggle, shall be accorded equal honour with the National Anthem 'Jana Gana Mana'.

"Every word of Vande Mataram is dedicated to the mother, and a mother can never be communal. 'Vande Mataram' was composed years ago; it's a timeless creation. The spirit of Vande Mataram and the inspiration it contains is relevant for us at all times," he said.

On the occasion, Pradhan also took the 'Swadeshi pledge' along with students and faculty members of the university.