New Delhi, 17 December (H.S.): Ethiopian singers on Wednesday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a stirring rendition of Vande Mataram in the heart of Addis Ababa, as a throng of overseas Indians waved tricolours and chanted Modi-Modi alongside Bharat Mata ki Jai.

Emotional Resonance at State Banquet

PM Modi reciprocated the gesture by raising his hands in acknowledgment, later sharing a video on X from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali's hosted dinner, describing the melodic performance by Ethiopian artists as profoundly moving—especially amid India's year-long commemoration of the anthem's 150th anniversary.

In the footage, PM Modi is seen clapping enthusiastically post-performance, joined by Ethiopian Premier Abiy Ahmed Ali and India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who also applauded the tribute.Symbolic Parallels in National AnthemsThe Ethiopian national anthem mirrors Vande Mataram by personifying the motherland as a maternal figure, underscoring deep emotional affinities between the two nations.

Composed by Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay, the Indian anthem's sesquicentennial—from November 7, 2025, to November 7, 2026—prompts nationwide remembrance initiatives by the Government of India.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar