Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov. 7: As part of the year-long commemoration of 150 Years of ‘Vande Mataram’, being celebrated under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, the Directorate of Art & Culture, Andaman and Nicobar Administration organised a mass singing of the full version of ‘Vande Mataram’ in the Auditorium of Tagore Government College of Education today.
The Commissioner-cum-Secretary, (Art & Culture), A&N Administration, Ms. Chanchal Yadav, IAS inaugurated the function as the chief guest by lighting the traditional oil lamp in the presence of the Secretary, Shipping, Ms. Purva Garg, IAS, the Secretary, Art & Culture, Ms. Jyoti Kumari, IAS, officials and students. The chief guest, senior officials and students also participated in the mass singing of the song ‘Vande Mataram’.
The dignitaries along with the students and others also witnessed the live screening of the mass singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ and the address of the Hon’ble Prime Minister from New Delhi.
Earlier, in her welcome address, the Secretary, Art & Culture, Ms. Jyoti Kumari, IAS, said that the 150 Years of ‘Vande Mataram’ is a national commemorative initiative to celebrate the spirit of Vande Mataram and its unique role in the history of India. ‘Vande Mataram’ is not just a song, it is the collective consciousness of India and was the rallying cry of freedom fighters during the struggle for Independence, she added.
The artistes of Sur Saptak, a cultural organization presented ‘Vande Mataram’ song & patriotic songs, while the artistes of Dance Nitya Academy presented a patriotic dance on the song ‘Vande Mataram’. The vibrant rendition of song & dance reverberated the air at the venue with patriotic fervor. Screening of a film and an exhibition on the history of 150 Years of Vande Mataram formed part of the programme at TGCE.
The function concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the Assistant Director, Art & Culture, Smt. Kanak Radha Chatterjee.