Statement by Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale Ji on 150th Year of National Song Vande Mataram
At the auspicious moment of 150th year of commemoration of a divine (an immortal) song VandeMataram – a prayer to Motherland that awakened all round national consciousness; Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh offers its respectful tributes with gratitude to Shraddheya Bankim Chatterjee in the humble remembrance of his composing this national song. The song, written in 1875, was rendered in a melodious tune by Rashtrakavi Ravindranath Tagore in the Congress session of 1896 which mesmerized the audience. Since then, it not only became the patriotic pledge but also a voice of nation’s soul, proclamation and consciousness.
Subsequently, Vande Mataram acquired the status of a Mantra recited by all the leaders in the freedom struggle including those in the movement against partition of Bengal. The wider acceptance of this great mantra (invocation) can be seen by the fact that several scholars and stalwarts like Maharshi Arvind, Lala Lajpat Rai, Lala Hardayal, Mahakavi Subramanya Bharati, Madam Bhikaji Kama incorporate Vande Mataram in the title of their periodicals. For many years, Mahatma Gandhi also used to conclude his letters by the citation of Vande Mataram.
Vande Mataram is the song of the nation’s soul that inspires everyone. Even after 150 years, Vande Mataram, with its divine endowment, can inspire the society to dedicate itself for the nation. In these times, when the tendency to fragment the society on the parochial bases of cast, language, geography is on the rise, Vande Mataram is a thread that can bind us together. It is easily accepted in all the regions, languages and communities of Bharat. Today also, it remains a solid foundation of national awakening, cultural identity and national integrity of our society. At this propitious hour of nation building and rejuvenation of our national consciousness, there is a need that the spirit of this supreme mantra resonates in every heart.
In this sacred 150th year of commemoration of Vande Mataram, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh appeals to the entire society including swayamsevaks to participate in the efforts of nation building on the basis of its ‘Swa’ (selfhood) by kindling the flame of Vande Mataram in every heart and to enthusiastically (whole heartedly) take part in all the programs organized at this occasion.
