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Rajya Sabha-nominated MP Sudha Murty on Tuesday urged the government to make singing Vande Mataram compulsory in primary and high schools, emphasising its importance in shaping young minds. She highlighted that the song is not just a patriotic ritual but a tool to instill courage, sacrifice, and a sense of belonging among students, helping them connect with India’s rich cultural and moral heritage as reported by PTI.Speaking during the 150th anniversary of the song, Murty described India as a quilt of diverse languages, cultures, and traditions. She said Vande Mataram is the thread that binds this quilt together, giving children a sense of unity and national identity that goes beyond flags or maps.
A song that sparked courage during the freedom struggle
Reflecting on her childhood in Hubli, Murty recounted how the song inspired ordinary Indians to resist colonial rule. In times of despair and oppression, Vande Mataram acted as a cultural catalyst, instilling courage and resilience.
It became more than a melody; it was a force that united people in the struggle for freedom.
How teaching national songs in schools helps students learn
Incorporating national songs like Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana into school curricula offers multiple benefits for students:
- Understanding history and heritage: National songs introduce children to the country’s struggles, milestones, and cultural legacy in a way that is engaging and memorable.
- Instilling values: Singing together fosters discipline, respect, compassion, and teamwork among students.
- Enhancing memory and learning: Repeated practice during assemblies or classroom activities improves retention and cognitive skills.
- Building civic consciousness: Exposure to these songs helps students internalize principles such as responsibility, patriotism, and care for society.
- Strengthening identity: Regular engagement with national songs nurtures a sense of belonging and pride in the nation from an early age.
Patriotism beyond symbolism
For Murty, true patriotism goes beyond ritual or ceremony. Vande Mataram embodies lessons of compassion, selflessness, and care for the land. Teaching it in schools ensures that children understand patriotism as a set of values and responsibilities, not just as symbolic gestures.
A lasting impact in minutes
Murty concluded that even a few minutes spent teaching the song can leave a lasting imprint on a child’s understanding of courage, patriotism, and moral responsibility, a legacy that continues more than a century after the song’s creation.(With inputs from PTI)
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