Hindi English Translation || Editorial || ​Note of harmony: On the debate on Vande Mataram

​Note of harmony: On the debate on Vande Mataram

India must uphold social cohesion (सामंजस्य, एकजुटता) with a rejuvenated (कायाकल्प करना) national purpose

Vande Mataram, the salutation (अभिवादन) of India imagined as mother, inspired generations of nation-builders who brought together diverse sections of society to fight for freedom from British colonialism. Written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and published with his novel Anandamath in the early 1880s, this year marks the 150th anniversary of the song. Leaders of the Indian National Congress (INC), which was leading the national movement, decided in 1937 to use the first two stanzas at its gatherings, and the Constitution of the modern Republic of India accorded it the status of the national song. It is only fitting that the country remembers the story of the song, its spirit, and its purpose in nation-building. Unfortunately, the parliamentary discussion to commemorate (मनाना, स्मरण करना) the anniversary of the song turned into a partisan (पक्षपाती) diatribe in which old wounds were reopened and dormant ((Of an animal) having normal physical functions suspended or slowed down for a period; (of a volcano or activity) temporarily inactive or suspended) grievances reframed. The BJP, led by the Prime Minister in the Lok Sabha and Home Minister Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha, sought to drive home the point that the INC’s decision to use only the first two stanzas sowed the seeds of the Partition, as the Muslim League gathered support for a separate state of Pakistan. The Opposition, led by Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the Lok Sabha and INC president Mallikarjun Kharge in the Rajya Sabha, explained the historical circumstances of the role of the song and questioned the need for any debate at all on Vande Mataram. Ms. Vadra said Parliament should be focusing on issues of the present that concern everyday lives rather than discussing the past.

The past is important for the present of a national community, but it is important to draw the right lessons from history to avoid repeating mistakes. The national movement built unity among various religious and linguistic (भाषाई) communities and sects by expanding the political space that they all could share. In fact, the story of Vande Mataram holds the path of accommodation and mutual respect that unite faiths and communities. Leaders of the national movement thought it was wise to find common ground rather than impose any faith. Millions of Muslims joined the chant of Vande Mataram across the country, as they marched alongside Hindus. While the unification (एकीकरण) project was successful to a great extent, Partition marked the fragile nature of that unity and flagged a concern for the future, that the promotion of any identity other than a secular (धर्मनिरपेक्ष), constitutional Indian commonness can be dangerous at any time. Inverting that history of harmony (सद्भाव) into a cause of fissure serves no purpose. India must uphold (बनाए रखना, समर्थन करना) unity and harmony with a rejuvenated national purpose. That indeed is the greatest salutation to Mother India.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.Harmony (Noun)

Hindi Meaning – सद्भाव
English Meaning – The state of being in agreement or concord; pleasing arrangement of parts; accord.

2.Cohesion (Noun)

Hindi Meaning – सामंजस्य, एकजुटता
English Meaning – The action or fact of forming a united whole; unity or solidarity.

3.Rejuvenate (Verb)

Hindi Meaning – कायाकल्प करना
English Meaning – To make (someone or something) look or feel younger, fresher, or more vigorous.

4.Salutation (Noun)

Hindi Meaning – अभिवादन
English Meaning – A gesture or utterance made as a greeting or acknowledgment of another's arrival or departure.

5.Commemorate (Verb)

Hindi Meaning – मनाना, स्मरण करना
English Meaning – To recall and show respect for (someone or something) in a ceremony or celebratory event.

6.Linguistic (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning – भाषाई
English Meaning – Relating to language or the study of language.

7.Secular (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning – धर्मनिरपेक्ष
English Meaning – Denoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis; not subject to or bound by religious rule.

8.Uphold (Verb)

Hindi Meaning – बनाए रखना, समर्थन करना
English Meaning – To confirm or support (something which has been questioned); to maintain (a custom or practice).

9.Unification (Noun)

Hindi Meaning – एकीकरण
English Meaning – The process of being united or made into a whole.

10.Partisan (Adjective / Noun)

Hindi Meaning – पक्षपाती
English Meaning – A strong supporter of a party, cause, or person; prejudiced in favor of a particular cause.

11.Dormant (Adjective)

English Meaning – (Of an animal) having normal physical functions suspended or slowed down for a period; (of a volcano or activity) temporarily inactive or suspended.

12.Accomodation (Noun)

English Meaning – A room, building, or lodging providing dwelling or shelter; a convenient arrangement; a settlement.