Gujarat’s tableau on the 77th Republic Day is based on the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’. It depicts the historical journey of the national flag, the message of Madam Bhikaji Cama, Mahatma Gandhi and self-reliant India.
New Delhi. ‘Vande Mataram’ is not just a song, but a mantra that awakens the spirit of Swadeshi, self-reliance and independence in the mind of every Indian. On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the song ‘Vande Mataram’, the tableau of Gujarat has been presented in the 77th Republic Day celebrations keeping this sentiment at the centre.
Historic journey from ‘Vande Mataram’ to the national flag
The tableau of Gujarat starts with the background of the words ‘Vande Mataram’ and from here the entire historical journey of the creation of the Indian national flag is shown. The tableau depicts how the form of the flag changed over time and what role it played in the freedom movement.
Madam Bhikaji Cama and the roar of the tricolor on foreign soil
In this tableau, the brave lady Madam Bhikaji Cama, born in Navsari, Gujarat, has been specially depicted. He, along with revolutionaries Shyamji Krishna Verma and Sardar Singh Rana, lit the flame of the Indian independence movement abroad.
The flag, designed by Madame Cama, with ‘Vande Mataram’ written on it, was first hoisted in Paris in 1907. This flag was later also hoisted at the ‘Indian Socialist Conference’ held in Stuttgart and Berlin, Germany.
Message of ‘Vande Mataram’ in all Indian languages
The tableau depicts the flag waving bust of Madam Bhikaji Cama. ‘Vande Mataram’ is written below the statue in all the Indian languages listed in the Constitution, symbolizing national unity and diversity.
Evolution of the National Flag: 1906 to 1947
The development journey of the Indian National Flag has been presented in detail in the central part of the tableau.
- 1906: A flag with ‘Vande Mataram’ written on it was hoisted for the first time in Parsi Bagan, Kolkata.
- 1907: Madam Bhikaji Cama hoisted her own designed flag in Paris.
- 1917: During the Home Rule Movement, Dr. Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak presented a new flag.
- 1921: Pingali Venkayya designed a new flag in Vijayawada and showed it to Gandhiji.
- 1931: The three-coloured flag with the spinning wheel in the middle was almost approved.
- 22 July 1947: The Constituent Assembly accepted the tricolor in its present form with the Dharma Chakra in place of the charkha.
Along with this journey, major freedom movements of India are also depicted in the tableau.
Mahatma Gandhi, Charkha and self-reliant India
In the last part of the tableau, Mahatma Gandhi is shown giving the message of Swadeshi, self-reliance and independence through the charkha. A huge Dharma Chakra is also depicted with him. Today, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is taking these values forward through the ‘Self-reliant India’ campaign.
Live tableau on the rhythm of ‘Kasumbi no Rang’
The presentation of the artists on the rhythm of the song ‘Kasumbi No Rang’ composed by Jhaverchand Meghani, the famous creator of Gujarati literature and called ‘National Poet’, makes the tableau lively and impressive.
Republic Day Parade and Chief Guest
This year, a total of 30 tableaux of 17 states and union territories and 13 ministries of the central government will be displayed in the Republic Day Parade. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa will be present as chief guests at the 77th Republic Day celebrations.
Contribution in the creation of Gujarat Tableau
Under the guidance of Information and Broadcasting Secretary Dr. Vikrant Pandey, Information Commissioner Mr. Kishore Bachani and Additional Director Mr. Arvind Patel, Joint Information Director Dr. Sanjay Kachot and Deputy Information Director Ms. Bhavana Vasava have made an important contribution in the creation of this tableau presented by the Information Department of the Government of Gujarat.