A program was organized on the completion of 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’ at Haryana Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh. Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi recited the national anthem and viewed the exhibition on Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay.
Chandigarh. In Haryana, the commemoration of 150 years of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ was celebrated with great dignity and decency. This program was organized at Haryana Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh, in which Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi was present as the chief guest.
Exhibition on the life of Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay center of attraction
A special exhibition based on the life of Shri Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay, the author of ‘Vande Mataram’ was organized in the programme. Important events related to his life were mentioned in the exhibition. Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi called upon the officers and employees to visit this exhibition and take inspiration from it. He himself also recited the national anthem in Hindi.
The program started with lighting of the lamp and salutation to Mother India.
At the beginning of the ceremony, the Chief Secretary and senior officers lit the lamp and offered flowers at the feet of Mother India. During this, a melodious singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ was done by the school children, which mesmerized the people present. In the end everyone together sang the national song ‘Vande Mataram’, the national anthem and the state song ‘Jai Jai Jai Haryana’.
‘Vande Mataram’ had awakened the consciousness of freedom: Anurag Rastogi
Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi said that the song ‘Vande Mataram’ lit the flame of patriotism for the people who were troubled by the atrocities of the British during the freedom struggle of 1857. This song became not only music but also a symbol of national consciousness, which gave direction to the freedom movement.
‘Vande Mataram’ is a symbol of worship of Mother India and national soul.
Anurag Rastogi said that ‘Vande Mataram’ is not just a song, but it is the worship of Mother India and the soul of our national character. He said that a country which forgets its history and traditions does not last long. Therefore we should always remember our great men, freedom fighters and glorious history.
Information and Public Relations Department organized
On this occasion, Director General of Information, Public Relations and Language Department K. Makarand Pandurang welcomed the chief guest and finally presented him a beautiful picture memento of the song ‘Vande Mataram’.
Senior officers and employees were present in the program
Many senior officials of the state government were present in the program, including-
- Dr. Sumita Mishra (Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department)
- Shri Sudhir Rajpal (Additional Chief Secretary, Health Department)
- Shri Vijayendra Kumar (Additional Chief Secretary, Cooperative Department)
- Shri Apoorva Kumar Singh (Additional Chief Secretary, Town and Country Planning Department)
- Arun Gupta (Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister)
- Shri O.P. Singh (Director General of Police)
Mr. Shyamal Mishra, Dr. Amit Kumar Agarwal, Mr. Rajinikanthan, Mr. P.C. Meena, Mr. Navdeep Singh Virk, Mrs. Kala Ramachandran, Dr. Aditya Dahiya, Mrs. Priyanka Soni, Mr. Samvartak Singh Khangwal along with employees of Haryana Secretariat and CISF officers were present.