It’s interesting how Vande Mataram wasn’t created as a political slogan at all. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote it in the late 1800s, mostly as poetic praise for the land he loved. The lines written partly in Sanskrit describe India almost like a mother whose rivers, trees and fields keep her children alive. At that time, it was simply a beautiful piece inside his novel Anandamath.
But slowly, and almost naturally, people began to pick it up. By the early 1900s, especially around student groups and public meetings, the song started getting a different meaning. It offered comfort and courage when British rule felt suffocating. People sang it not because someone asked them to but because it helped them feel connected.
During the 1905 partition of Bengal, the song suddenly became everywhere processions, gatherings, local meetings. It turned into a kind of emotional glue for the Swadeshi movement. Leaders like Tagore and Aurobindo didn’t “promote” it the way we think today; they simply recognised how strongly it already resonated.
When India finally became independent, the Constituent Assembly decided to honour that long history. In 1950, Vande Mataram was declared the national song. Not the anthem, but something with a different kind of weight more cultural, more emotional.
A political row has erupted in West Bengal after the Suvendu Adhikari-led government made the recitation of Vande Mataram compulsory in madrasas and schools.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Thursday expanded his Cabinet, inducting twenty-one legislators alongside two representatives from the Congress party.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be chairing a Council of Ministers meeting shortly to address the economic impact of the West Asia conflict and the Strait of Hormuz deadlock.
The West Bengal government has issued a formal notification making it mandatory to sing the national song before classes begin across all state-run and state-aided madrassas.
This India Today ground report from Birbhum and Shantiniketan captures the political climate in West Bengal ahead of the elections.
The top focus of this episode of 5 Live is on the fragile ceasefire in West Asia as Iran hardens its stance ahead of crucial talks in Islamabad.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who finally spoke in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, launched his most direct and scathing attack on the Modi government, accusing the centre of selling national interest to the United States in the trade deal.
This episode of 5 Live highlights the financial struggles of Rajasthan's medal-winning athletes, including Asian Games medallist Rakesh and national record holder Neeraj Kumar.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted with applause and accolades at the NDA parliamentary meeting on Tuesday following a landmark trade agreement between India and the US. The meeting, held at the Parliament complex, concluded with alliance MPs congratulating the Prime Minister for securing the deal, which promises immediate tariff relief for Indian exports. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, speaking after the session, welcomed newly elected BJP president Nitin Nabin and noted the visible enthusiasm among MPs over the recent trade developments. Chants of “Jai Modi,” “Vande Mataram,” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai” echoed through the hall as party members praised Modi for the landmark agreement with US President Donald Trump.
In this news report, the focus is on Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to poll-bound West Bengal, where he launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Addressing a public rally, Shah held the Trinamool Congress (TMC) administration responsible for the loss of 25 lives in the recent Anandapur incident, alleging that 'the illness completely lies on to the state government' and its casual approach to safety. He further accused the TMC of opposing Vande Mataram to cater to vote-bank politics. A significant highlight of his address was the pledge to completely seal the Indo-Bangladesh border fencing within 45 days, citing national security concerns and a Calcutta High Court directive regarding land procurement. The report details how the Home Minister framed illegal infiltration as a primary issue for the upcoming 2026 elections, while criticising the state's failure to learn from past tragedies in suburban Kolkata.
In this special edition of 5 Live, the focus is on the Beating Retreat ceremony 2026 at Vijay Chowk, which marked the culmination of India's 77th Republic Day celebrations.
On this special edition of Five Live, Sonal and Gaurav Sawant provide live commentary on the Beating Retreat ceremony 2026 at Vijay Chowk, marking the culmination of India's 77th Republic Day celebrations. Gaurav Sawant highlights the 'major change' in the musical repertoire, noting, 'There’s a lot of decolonization as the government puts it. More Hindi music, instrumental music, Saare Jahan Se Achha of course remains.' The programme captures the arrival of President Draupadi Murmu, escorted by the elite President's Bodyguard, alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan. The report details the shift from British-era hymns to Indian instruments like the Mridangam and Tabla, and the historic renaming of Darbar Hall to Ganatantra Mandap. The ceremony concluded with a spectacular lighting display of the North Block, South Block, and Rashtrapati Bhavan, symbolising a modern, self-reliant India proud of its indigenous cultural heritage and military discipline.
Bands of the Army, Navy, and Air Force and paramilitary enthralled the audiences with an array of foot-tapping melodies, including 'Vande Mataram', 'Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja', 'Vijay Bharat', 'Sitare Hind' and 'Brave Warrior', at the Beating Retreat ceremony at Delhi's Vijay Chowk on Thursday.
On this Special Report, Gaurav Sawant provides live commentary on the Beating Retreat ceremony held at Vijay Chowk, marking the formal end of Republic Day celebrations. Gaurav Sawant notes, 'Post 2014 and especially with Prime Minister Narendra Modi very keen on decolonization, now you have the Mridangam, you have the Dhol, you have the Tashe, you have the Nagade.' The report highlights the arrival of President Droupadi Murmu, escorted by the President's Bodyguard from the Ganatantra Mandap, formerly known as Darbar Hall. Sawant explains the military significance of the tradition where troops withdraw at sunset and weapons are symbolically sheathed. The ceremony features Indian classical compositions and military bands, including a special performance of Vande Mataram to mark its 150th year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, and the three Service Chiefs were present to receive the President at the majestic Raisina Hill setting.
India celebrated the 77th Republic Day on January 26, 2026. The prime focus of this year's annual parade was India's Operation Sindoor against the Pakistani terror network and 150 years of National Song Vande Mataram. Watch this out of the box take on India's Republic Day celebrations.
This news report highlights the military spectacle at India's 77th Republic Day parade, focusing on the theme of 'victory through joint action'. The display featured the 'Operation Sindoor' formation, a seven-hour aircraft showcase including Rafales, Sukhois, and MiG-29s. The speaker noted that 'India's air power means business', referencing a report on the IAF's decisive air superiority and the use of BrahMos and Scalp EG strikes. The parade spotlighted India's integrated war machine, featuring the tri-services tableau, the Akash air defence shield, and heavy armour like the T-90 Bhishma and Arjun tanks. The event also marked 150 years of Vande Mataram, linking the spirit of the freedom struggle to the vision of a developed India by 2047. High-tech security, including raptors and specialized animal contingents like Zanskar ponies and Bactrian camels, ensured a secure environment for the hardware showcase at Kartavya Path.
On this special report, the focus is on the high-energy Beating Retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border on the occasion of Republic Day. The ceremony, featuring the Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistani Rangers, is marked by aggressive marching, high kicks, and patriotic slogans. The speaker notes that the event 'symbolizes India's commitment to justice, liberty, equality, fraternity, all that is joined in the Constitution.' The transcript highlights the synchronized lowering of the flags without the opening of gates or handshakes, a practice maintained following specific security considerations. Thousands of visitors gathered to witness the spectacle, chanting 'Hindustan Zindabad' and 'Vande Mataram' as the tricolour was respectfully lowered at sunset. The report captures the intense motivation of the BSF personnel, both men and women, who lead the crowd in a display of national pride and strength at India's first line of defence.
On this Special Report, India Today’s Kamaljeet Sandhu reports live from the Attari-Wagah border, capturing the high-energy Beating Retreat ceremony on Republic Day. Highlighting the patriotic fervor, Sandhu notes, 'This is where India's United comes alive, a heightened patriotic atmosphere.' The transcript details the synchronized march of the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, including women officers, amidst a crowd of over 20,000 spectators. Sandhu explains that the border gates remain locked due to security protocols following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, marking a shift from past traditions of opening gates and exchanging sweets. The report contrasts the massive, enthusiastic Indian crowd with the lackluster presence on the Pakistani side. The ceremony culminates in the respectful lowering of the tricolour as the sun sets, symbolizing India's strength and commitment to its constitutional values. The BSF remains on high alert along the 553-kilometer Punjab border to thwart drone activities and external disruptions.
This special report covers the Republic Day celebrations marking 150 years of Vande Mataram and the first parade following 'Operation Sindhu'. The broadcast highlights the display of India's military might, featuring a seven-jet flypast including Rafales and Su-30s, alongside the S-400 systems credited with shooting down Pakistani aircraft. A significant highlight is the public debut of the indigenous Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASHM). An unidentified speaker noted, 'This is an Indian ace that has been long in the making and it's been displayed publicly for the first time.' The missile, capable of traveling from Delhi to Mumbai in 15 minutes, places India among a select group of five nations with such hypersonic technology. The parade also features the first-ever Army Animal Contingent including Zanskar ponies and camels, the Bhairav Battalion showcasing electronic warfare, and AI-enabled security for Delhi Police, underscoring the theme of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
On this Special Report, host Preeti Choudhry leads a panel discussion celebrating India's 77th Republic Day at Kartavya Path. Reflecting on the nation's journey, she notes, 'It all stands on one document that has endured 77 years and will continue to endure. And that is the document of the Indian Constitution that holds our diversity together.' The programme features insights from experts including Sandeep Unnithan, Lieutenant General Sanjay Kulkarni, and Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha. The discussion highlights India's indigenous defense milestones, specifically the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASHM) and hypersonic technology, as tools for deterrence. The panel also analyzes the geopolitical significance of the European Union President's presence as the Chief Guest, signaling a 'third front' in global trade. The broadcast concludes by emphasizing the themes of 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat,' showcasing the seamless blend of India's cultural heritage and its future-ready military capabilities under the clear blue skies of Delhi.
