On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded ‘Vande Mataram’, describing it as a powerful symbol reflecting India’s vibrant spirit and magnificent identity. He passionately appealed to citizens to make the 150th anniversary of this national song truly unforgettable by upholding and transmitting its enduring values to future generations.
During his popular monthly radio address, ‘Mann Ki Baat’, the Prime Minister announced that numerous nationwide events would be organized to honor ‘Vande Mataram’ as it reaches its 150-year milestone. He highlighted that the revered song, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, was famously first sung by Rabindranath Tagore in 1896.
The Prime Minister also shared this month’s #MannKiBaat, encouraging everyone to tune in.
During his half-hour broadcast, Mr. Modi also highlighted a variety of inspiring citizen-led initiatives from across India. These included commendable efforts to restore mangrove ecosystems in Gujarat, the establishment of innovative ‘Garbage Cafes’ in Chhattisgarh, and dedicated projects aimed at rejuvenating lakes in Bengaluru.
Additionally, Mr. Modi praised the paramilitary forces, specifically the BSF and CRPF, for integrating native Indian dog breeds into their K9 units. He proudly recounted how a Mudhol Hound garnered significant acclaim in a competition, outperforming international breeds.
He shared a story of exceptional bravery, stating, ‘Our indigenous dogs have consistently demonstrated remarkable courage. Just last year, an Indian breed dog serving with the CRPF successfully detected 8 kg of explosives during a patrol in a Maoist-affected region of Chhattisgarh.’
The Prime Minister further elaborated that the BSF and CRPF have incorporated several Indian breeds, including Rampur Hounds, Mudhol Hounds, Mongrels, Kombai, and Pandikona, into their specialized dog squads. He noted that some of these canine heroes would participate in the upcoming parade at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat, marking the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on October 31st.
Beyond national security, Mr. Modi commended the thriving coffee cultivation efforts in Koraput, Odisha, which have significantly empowered local communities.
He highlighted, ‘In Koraput, individuals are passionately cultivating coffee, and this endeavor has profoundly and positively impacted the lives of many women in the region.’
The Prime Minister pointed out that Indian coffee is gaining global recognition. He celebrated its remarkable diversity, citing renowned regions such as Chikmagalur, Coorg, and Hassan in Karnataka; Pulney, Shevaroy, Nilgiri, and Annamalai in Tamil Nadu; the Biligiri region straddling the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border; and Wayanad, Travancore, and Malabar in Kerala.
Mr. Modi also observed that the realms of culture and social media have infused new vitality into Sanskrit, with many young people now conversing in and promoting the ancient language through short video ‘reels’.
He remarked, ‘Many individuals are even teaching Sanskrit via their social media platforms. A notable example is young content creator Bhai Yash Salunke, who uniquely combines his roles as a content creator and a cricketer. His popular reel, featuring him playing cricket while speaking Sanskrit, has garnered widespread attention.’