Thursday, September 8 2005 11:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: "Vande Mataram", the patriotic song that inspires every citizen, will be renewed in the country, Information and Broadcasting and Culture Minister S Jaipal Reddy said in New Delhi yesterday (Sept 7, 2005)

"Vande Mataram as a war cry has been the most inspiring one in the history of the world and reflects and promotes the idea of India," he said speaking on the Centenary celebrations of Vande Matararm at Red Fort here.

He said this 'great' song needs to be renewed from time to time and Doordarshan and All India Radio would play their part in its renewal in the present context.

Reddy said the centenary celebrations of Vande Mataram would be carried throughout the year on a national scale with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as the chairman of the celebrations committee.

Speaking on the occasion, Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh said the spirit of Vande Mataram had inspired the youth and even in the present day the youth need to inculcate the values and ideals of the freedom struggle to realise the true freedom for the people of India.

A large number of freedom fighters took part in the celebrations.

The Central Ministries of Culture, Tourism and HRD and the Department of Culture of Delhi Government coordinated the programme with the National Committee of Centenary Celebrations of Vande Mataram, says an official release.