Page 16 - NIS English 01-15 September, 2026

th Independence
Day Celebrations
COVER STORY

Bharat’, and beneficiaries of various schemes such as shaping the discourse around nationalism, unity, and
NAMASTE, PM-AJAY, and SEED. This demonstrates how cultural self-awareness in modern India.
‘New India’ is fulfilling the aspirations of its youth and It is for this reason that, on this 80th Indepen-
other sections of society. dence Day, Prime Minister Modi made several bold
announcements, signaling a nation poised not
VANDE MATARAM… A JOURNEY FROM merely to step into the future but to take a giant leap
GLORIOUS HERITAGE TO A VIKSIT BHARAT forward. Prime Minister Modi’s 13th consecutive
The Red Fort witnessed more than just the singing of address from the ramparts of the Red Fort also
‘Vande Mataram’; the atmosphere was truly spectacu- stands as a testament to the nation’s trust—a trust
lar, featuring everything from floral decorations to a for- rooted in the fact that every announcement made
mation created by volunteers on ‘Gyanpath’—in front of from those ramparts has been realized.
the ramparts—depicting ‘Vande Mataram’. An Indian Air
Force Mi-17 helicopter flew overhead carrying a special HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT AND
banner commemorating 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’ PERMANENT SOLUTIONS
and showered flower petals upon the gathering at the The most significant aspect of this 12-year journey of
Red Fort. This was not merely a commemoration of the progress is that issues—once deemed intractable and
song’s 150th anniversary; it conveyed a clear message left to fate for decades—have now found permanent
for ‘New India’. Just as ‘Vande Mataram’ became a solutions. Firm resolve and willpower are hallmarks of
symbol of India’s freedom struggle, it will now inspire PM Modi, underpinned by the Central Government’s
fresh thinking and the drive to move forward in real- guiding motto: “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka
izing the resolve to build a developed India. Emerging Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas”. Whether it is the abroga-
from the intellectual and literary milieu of the late 19th tion of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir, the provision
century, Vande Mataram transcended its literary origins of household toilets, access to clean fuel via the Ujjwala
to become a powerful symbol of anti-colonial resistance Yojana, the ‘Nal Se Jal’ scheme, social security nets for
and collective aspiration. This event not only reaffirms workers, or the Ayushman Bharat providing free treat-
the relevance of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s ment worth up to ₹5 lakh to over 60 crore people—India
vision but also prompts reflection on the song’s role in is constantly scripting new chapters of success.

14 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || Sep 01-15, 2026