New Delhi | Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Wednesday said the national song Vande Mataram played a crucial role in awakening patriotism among Indians and uniting people across regions, languages, faiths and social backgrounds during the freedom struggle.
Addressing the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' bike rally commemorating 150 years of Vande Mataram at Bharat Mandapam here, Radhakrishnan said the two words "Vande Mataram" had "lightened the burning patriotism in the minds of every Indian in those days", becoming the prime force that uprooted the British colonial Raj from India.
"Our freedom struggle was an awakening of the Indian mind, the Indian spirit, and the Indian consciousness. It united people across regions, languages, faiths, and social backgrounds through a shared dream of freedom, a shared dream of one India," he said.
Radhakrishnan said when Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay penned the immortal words, he "gave voice to the soul of the nation wanting to breathe freedom".
"For our countless freedom fighters, this song was more than just words. They were a source of courage, sacrifice, and hope," he said, adding that many freedom fighters went to the gallows with "Vande Mataram" in their hearts.
Referring to the special discussion held in Parliament on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, Radhakrishnan said the deliberation lasted more than 12 hours and was "one of the most engaging and meaningful deliberations of the session".
He said it was particularly significant for him as it took place during his "very first session as the presiding officer of Rajya Sabha".
Recalling his recent visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Radhakrishnan said he visited the place where Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had hoisted the Tricolour in 1943 and proclaimed the islands free from colonial rule.
Radhakrishnan said he also visited the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island and the historic Cellular Jail where Veer Savarkar and several other freedom fighters were kept in solitary confinement.
He said many of the brave inmates of the Cellular Jail walked to the gallows singing Vande Mataram. "Their courage and sacrifice continue to inspire every generation of our country," he said.
"Vande Mataram is a call that transformed love for one's motherland into a national duty," Radhakrishnan said, adding that the sentiment spread "like wildfire from Bengal to every nook and corner of Mother Bharat".
He said India was now "marching confidently towards the vision set by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a Viksit Bharat by 2047".
The 'Har Ghar Tiranga' bike rally was particularly meaningful as, in the 150th year of Vande Mataram, "we are taking the spirit of that song back to the streets", the Vice-President said.
He said the country was now witnessing the fifth edition of 'Har Ghar Tiranga', which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022, and the initiative has become "a people's movement".
"The strength of the Har Ghar Tiranga movement lies in the fact that the nation is not asking citizens to watch a celebration. It is inviting them to be a part of it," he said.
Citizens across the country were participating in Tiranga yatras, bike and cycle rallies, cultural programmes and concerts, he said, adding, "Each activity has a different form, but the sentiment behind them is common. The national flag is the symbol in which every citizen can find a sense of longing."
Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, and Union Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy were among those present.
