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Bhubaneswar, Nov 5 (IANS) The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday announced celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the national song Vande Mataram in a grand manner with a series of programs in different parts of Odisha.
Speaking during a press conference at the party’s state headquarters, BJP state vice president Bishnu Das said the central government and the party have jointly planned to celebrate this historical milestone at various places across the country.
The program is organized at processing locations – Bhubswar, Bradkur, Rourkela, Balasode, Opposite Kenonjhar.
“Special programs will be organized in each assembly constituency of the state to highlight the historical significance and enduring relevance of Vande Mataram,” Das said. “Speeches, cultural performances and public singing of songs will be the core of these celebrations.”
He also recalled that ‘Vande Mataram’ was first sung by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress.
“The program will remind every citizen of the emotional and patriotic essence behind the song,” he said.
As part of the nationwide celebrations, students from all educational institutions across Odisha will sing ‘Vande Mataram’ (also known as ‘Bande Mataram’) on November 7 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the iconic patriotic song.
Commenting on government participation, Das informed that Chief Ministers and ministers of states including Odisha will be encouraged to attend the function.
“The state government has been requested to ensure that Vande Mataram is sung in all district headquarters, schools and government offices,” he said.
The BJP plans to hold the main inaugural event in Bhubaneswar, followed by similar events in other cities and educational institutions across the state.
During the press conference, Das also said that in 1923, Congress felt hesitant in singing the song ‘Vande Mataram’ and later they took an official decision not to sing it in various party programs.
He also said that after the country became independent, the first President Rajendra Prasad had given the status of national song to the first two verses of ‘Vande Mataram’ in 1950.
It is noteworthy that on October 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had decided in the Union Cabinet to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
–IANS
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