New Delhi— Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called upon citizens to make the 150th anniversary of India’s national song ‘Vande Mataram’ truly memorable by embodying its values and passing them on to future generations.
In his monthly ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address, Modi said ‘Vande Mataram’ paints a “vibrant and magnificent image of India.” He announced that several programmes will be organised across the country to commemorate 150 years of the iconic song, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and first sung by Rabindranath Tagore in 1896.
During the 30-minute address, the Prime Minister lauded various citizen-led initiatives, including mangrove revival efforts in Gujarat, the establishment of Garbage Cafes in Chhattisgarh, and projects to rejuvenate lakes in Bengaluru.
Praising the armed forces, Modi highlighted the inclusion of indigenous dog breeds by the BSF and CRPF. “Our native breeds like the Rampur Hound, Mudhol Hound, Mongrel, Kombai, and Pandikona are now part of their squads,” he said, noting that a Mudhol Hound had recently outperformed foreign breeds in a competition.
He recounted how a CRPF dog had detected eight kilograms of explosives during a patrol in a Maoist-affected area of Chhattisgarh, calling it a testament to the courage and skill of Indian breeds. Some of these dogs, Modi added, will participate in the parade at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, marking Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 150th birth anniversary on October 31.
The Prime Minister also praised the coffee cultivators of Odisha’s Koraput district, especially women farmers, for transforming their lives through dedication and enterprise. “Indian coffee, from Chikmagalur and Coorg to Wayanad and Nilgiri, showcases the country’s incredible diversity,” he said.
Modi further applauded how Sanskrit is experiencing a revival through social media, with young creators producing content in the ancient language. He mentioned Yash Salunke, a cricketer and content creator, whose reel on playing cricket while speaking Sanskrit went viral.
