PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Education minister Dhan Singh Rawat said that Vande Mataram is not merely a song but is a sacred commitment of India’s integrity and will drive the countrymen towards making a Sashkat Bharat. He was addressing a programme organised to mark 150th anniversary of the Vande Mataram at Government Inter College, Rotu Ki Balli in Tehri on Thursday.
He said that the State government has decided to hold similar programmes in all the schools of the State till November 26 to mark the 150th anniversary of the national song. He said that the objective of the programme is to create awareness in children and inculcate the spirit of unity, integrity and duties in them.
Rawat said that Bankim Chandra Chatterjee had written Vande Mataram in his novel Anand Math in 1770. The programmes of the independence movement commenced with this mantra and thousands of the freedom fighters sacrificed their lives at the altar of the freedom of the nation. He said that it is imperative that the national song is sung in our school to express our gratitude towards this Maha Mantra.
The minister also interacted with the teachers and students of the school and took information about the teaching and other activities. He took feedback from the students and asked about the problems faced by them.
After the programme, Rawat inspected the Kasturba Gandhi residential school for girls in the village. He inquired about the education system, sanitation, food and residential facilities and also interacted with the students. The minister directed the officers to ensure that the girls face no problems in the residential school. He said that every possible facility will be provided to the Kasturba Gandhi residential schools of the State.
