Revisiting patriotic fervour of Vande Matram

By Sandeep Datta

Indian diversity and its multi-religious character has been a big charm for people across the world. The Indian way of life appeals a lot of Britons and Americans, in particular, since their countries are witnessing a rapidly failure of society at large.

Briton and the US are faced with the challenge of regaining trust of disgruntled individuals. Since these people are falling in the trap of terror groups and targetting their own brothers and sisters.  It looks the governments in these countries now need to do a lot of homework to evoke love among people for their nation.

In this context, the Indian lifestyle and social set up should draw more attention of the western world. More importantly, due to the kind of passion the Indians have for their country. The very sight of national flag evokes a deep sense of respect and pride among people for the country, which regained its freedom from British rule. 

While leaving India in 1947, the British empire left its most discomforting shadow in the form of growing hatred between Hindu and Muslim communities. But it was the sense of nationalism which left a big hope of revival of brotherhood Hindus and Muslims.

Like the religious movements played a vital role in uniting Indians, beyond religion, caste and geographical locations, during freedom struggle, patriotic songs also played a huge role. One of them was Vande Matram.

Originally a poem taken from Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's 1882 novel Anandamath, it was written as a praise of the motherland and to inspire respect and love for it. During Indian independence movement, the song was a great help in evoking a feeling to unite and fight out the British rule together.  

Today, many countries are facing terrorism, especially from brain-washed locals turning against their governments. And, like others, the Indians, beyond political leaders, need to protect their brotherhood threatened by divisive forces and the policies of appeasing some while depriving the rest. 

One can observe it on various social networking sites, how many youngsters are liking and promoting communal messages. The social platform of such a big scale is at times used to misguide and thus provoke hatred.    

The government needs to have a serious look at it till it gets too late like it has in Britain and America.

But amid everything, there is a big positive role patriotic poems, write ups or songs can play even at such platforms. Provided, the government agencies show interest and explore ways to promote such things beyond occasions like the independence day and republic day i.e. Aug.15 and Jan.26 respectively.

One such method could be to generate love and passion for our national song -- Vande Matram.

There is nothing more saddening that a song of such a great significance during freedom struggle has been given a communal colour.

I wonder how the controversy created by some fundamentalist Muslim preachers over singing of Indian national song Vande Matram being un-Islamic and some of hardliner Hindus forcing it down their throats was even allowed to take place despite government and court's existence.

We need to remember if India needed unity of thought and action till six decades ago, the nation requires it more badly in today's world when our enemy countries are brain-washing groups on the Indian soil. And, at a time, when most of us keep buying China made products and helping an enemy nation's' industrial rise.

Today, the countrymen need to have a strong sense of nationalistic feeling, unity among all beyond personal religious faiths and practices. The magic of patriotism and love for Swadeshi (Indian products) can do wonders.

It holds significance, especially when the country is faced by so many external threats. The anti-India groups and our sworn enemies are spreading hatred and divisions among all of us from inside and outside the country. And, many of us are stupidly giving in to their tactics.

Not many of us are realising we are actually looking fools by falling into the trap of those whose aim is to divide us all by carrying on rubbing salt into old wounds so that they never heal.

It is shocking to see how we, who form such a vast literate society,  are letting our social structure get sabotaged by divisive forces, operating inside and outside the country.   

The hate-mongers and divisive powers that have survived on the basis of communal lines can be silenced through nationalistic feelings. Thus, it becomes more important than ever before that Indians should look at their own motherland with respect and true love. .  

The government too is guilty of doing precious little to encourage and promote the nationalistic fervour in every nook and corner of the country and the world. 

The vote bank politics has compromised the respect for nation and mediums like our national song. It is projected as if by singing Vande Matram, one is towing the line of RSS or BJP or any other Hindu group. Does Bharat belong only to them?

One tends think why shouldn't the nation come first than any other thing? What is the use of that religion if it doesn't value a country, a geographical space of the world, which gave us a big identity, a place to cherish our lie and pursue our religion with full freedom and enjoy life with individuals of different religious faith? 

This also applies to the love of language. Be it Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit or any other Indian language, every Indian should value it and respect its usage as an Indian language in any sphere of life. 

Be it standing for or singing the glory of one's motherland...through Vande Matram or Sare Jahan Se Acha or Jana Gana Mana..all should be viewed as the ultimate prayer and respect for the Martibhumi, Mitti or, Vatan which has nurtured us. 

Likewise, there should be no hesitation in singing ....Vande Matram! 

For detail on British rule in India...
http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/history/east-india-company-british.html