New Delhi: The nationwide ‘Namami Bharatam’ programme, organised on the call of Vidya Bharati Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sansthan to mark 150 years of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’, witnessed a massive expression of patriotism and national spirit on September 23 across the country. At exactly 11 am, students, alumni, teachers, parents and members of the public came together to sing the complete Vande Mataram at more than 25,000 locations across the country. According to Vidya Bharati, more than 75 lakh people participated in the nationwide programme.
From metropolitan cities to small towns, villages and schools, Vande Mataram resonated simultaneously, presenting a collective expression of India’s cultural unity and national spirit. Several prominent personalities participated in programmes organised at different locations across the country.
At the main programme in Delhi, Vidya Bharati Akhil Bharatiya Mahamantri Deshraj Sharma was the chief guest. Senior journalist Sanjay Sharma, Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Lata Gupta, and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Delhi Prant Sahkaryavah Uttam Ji also participated in the programme.
In Guwahati, Assam, former Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi (Retd) was the chief guest at the main programme. Vidya Bharati Purvottar Kshetra Mantri Dr Jagadindra Raychaudhuri and Sangathan Mantri Dr Pawan Tiwari, among others, were present. In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, the main programme was organised at Shaurya Smarak by Saraswati Vidya Mandir Higher Secondary Residential School, Sharda Vihar, Bhopal. Students, teachers and citizens participated enthusiastically.
Vidya Bharati Akhil Bharatiya Sah-Sangathan Mantri Shriram Aaravkar was the chief speaker, while retired IPS officer Pawan Jain was the chief guest. Vidya Bharati Madhya Bharat Prant president Mohanlal Gupta and Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication director Dr Ashish Joshi were also present as distinguished guests. ‘Namami Bharatam’ was not merely a programme of collective singing but a nationwide campaign to acquaint the younger generation with the 150-year journey of Vande Mataram, its role in the freedom movement and its significance in the national life of Indian society.
Along with collective singing, various activities related to the history of Vande Mataram, the freedom struggle, Indian culture and national spirit were organised in Vidya Bharati schools and institutions. Notably, the ‘Namami Bharatam’ programme has been certified by Asia Book of Records (ABR) and India Book of Records (IBR) for the largest number of students and members of the public singing the complete Vande Mataram simultaneously at different locations.
Through ‘Namami Bharatam’, Vidya Bharati marked the 150th year of Vande Mataram with extensive national participation. The organisation said the event would be remembered as a collective expression of unity in diversity, reverence for the motherland and national spirit. Vidya Bharati Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sansthan expressed gratitude to the students, alumni, teachers, parents, school management committees, social workers, eminent citizens and members of the public who participated in the nationwide programme.
