New Delhi, 9 December (H.S.): Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan on Tuesday described Vande Mataram as “the soul of the nation and the heartbeat of India’s freedom struggle,” while addressing the Upper House on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the iconic song.

Delivering his opening remarks before a special discussion, Radhakrishnan said Vande Mataram is not merely a song but “an eternal expression of devotion, sacrifice, and indomitable courage” towards the motherland that kept the flame of liberty alive in the hearts of millions of Indians during the colonial era.He recalled that the timeless composition by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay emerged at a time when India was weighed down by the burden of colonial rule, yet quickly transformed into a unifying national sentiment.

The song, he said, transcended barriers of religion, language, and geography to bind the people of India in one shared rhythm of patriotism.The Chairman paid homage to the countless freedom fighters who drew inspiration from the song, noting that for many, Vande Mataram had been “not just a call of inspiration but the final cry on the gallows,” as they embraced martyrdom with the dream of freedom in their hearts.

“The echoes of their sacrifice still resound in every verse of this immortal hymn,” he observed.Quoting the renowned Tamil poet Subramania Bharati, Radhakrishnan said the resonance of Vande Mataram spreads the light of valor and radiance across the world. “Vande Mataram is a pledge—of our identity, our unity, and our collective destiny,” he affirmed.

Paying his respects to the martyrs who laid down their lives for India’s independence, he said their sacrifice is not just a part of history but an everlasting source of inspiration for the nation. As the special discussion began, Radhakrishnan urged members to remember three guiding ideals—“Unity is our strength, sacrifice is our path, and Bharat Mata is our soul.”

Concluding his address with an impassioned appeal, the Chairman called upon every citizen to take a solemn vow—“to serve the nation with integrity, to advance together in unity, and to proudly proclaim, Vande Mataram. Vande Mataram. Vande Mataram.”

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar