Inaugurates year-long commemoration of the song
Goa Human Resource Development Corporation’s Security Contingent pay a heartfelt tribute to national song Vande Mataram on its 150th anniversary by forming a human chain with 150 members.
PANAJI
The Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant, urged people, especially the youth, to draw inspiration from the patriotic song ‘Vande Mataram’, written by acclaimed Bengali writer Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. The Chief Minister was speaking at the inauguration of the year-long commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the song ‘Vande Mataram’, which has been accorded the status of India’s national song, at a function at Kala Academy today.
“Each line of this song is in praise of our Mother India, and this song still inspires us today to unite India — an India which is so diverse. Our freedom fighters drew inspiration from ‘Vande Mataram’ and gave their lives for the country. I call upon the youth to draw inspiration likewise from this song and live for the country which fought for its independence. Live for the progress of India, for the vision of a Viksit Bharat 2047. The avenues available to grow and shine are vast, and there are so many opportunities for the youth. Fulfil your dreams through the dreams of the nation and become nation builders,” Sawant exhorted the youth.
Present were Chief Secretary, Dr V. Candavelou, IAS; Secretary, Art and Culture, Santosh Sukhadeve, IAS; Collector and District Magistrate, North Goa, Ankit Yadav, IAS; Director, Directorate of Art and Culture, Vivek Naik; and other government officials.
Speaking further, Sawant said, “Today, everyone from Pernem to Canacona has sung this song, ‘Vande Mataram’, a song which became the heartbeat of our nation, giving inspiration to freedom fighters during India’s freedom movement, many of whom even went on to sacrifice their lives for the nation.”
Sawant enumerated how education in Goa has become specialised and how this is adding to the growth of the State, thereby giving opportunities to the people. “The opportune time is now,” he said. “The next few decades are crucial, and the youth have a huge role to play in it.”
Earlier, the gathering sang the song ‘Vande Mataram’ together. The staff of Kala Academy played patriotic instrumental songs.
Secretary, Art and Culture, Santosh Sukhadeve, IAS, while welcoming the gathering, said the song ‘Vande Mataram’ was a battle cry for millions of Indians during the country’s freedom struggle and informed that the 150th anniversary commemoration would continue throughout the year.
On the occasion, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s novel Anandamath, which includes the song ‘Vande Mataram’, was released by the dignitaries. Later, the live speech of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, from New Delhi was telecast to the gathering.
