The Indian National Anthem

The history of National Anthems world over is more than 500 years old. All over the world, the National Anthems of respective countries are played to invoke national pride. It represents a country’s patriotic ethos and is considered as a symbol of country’s identity. The basic purpose of having a National Anthem is to imbibe and perpetually maintain a sense of unity and togetherness among its citizens.

Indian National Flag

The National Anthems are played world over at various occasions like national holidays, festivals, sports events etc. In some countries, the National Anthem is played before start of radio or TV programs. In many countries including India, the National Anthem is played at schools everyday by students at the assembly before start of the classes. This is practiced in order to inculcate a sense of patriotism among the students. In many countries the National Anthem is also played in cinema halls before the commencement of a movie. It was also played in India after the 1962 war with China but the practice was discontinued in 1975. The practice was again restarted in December 2016 after the Supreme Court’s verdict on the matter.  Recently, the apex court again hinted that the order for singing the National Anthem in Cinemas in India could be modified. This has raised a heated debate in the country; some people favoring the discontinuation while some coming out in favor of continuing the present practice.

The Indian National Anthem “Jana Gana Mana….” Was written by the great poet, writer, philosopher and the Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore on 11^th December, 1911 and was first sung on 27th December, 1911 at the annual session of Indian national Congress held at Calcutta, the present day Kolkata. It was also sung at the midnight of 14^th August, 1947 at the Indian Constituent Assembly when India had achieved freedom.  It was declared as the Indian National Anthem on 24^th January, 1950. Singing of the Indian National Anthem needs a time of less than a minute, i.e. 52 seconds exactly. The underlying message of the Indian National Anthem is pluralism and unity and diversity. The lyrics and translation of the Indian national anthem is given below;

जन गण मन अधिनायक जय हे भारत भाग्यविधाता पंजाब सिन्धु गुजरात मराठा द्राविड़ उत्कल बंगा विन्ध्य हिमाचल यमुना गंगा उच्छल जलधि तरंगा तव शुभ नामे जागे तव शुभ आशीष मागे गाहे तव जयगाथा जन गण मंगलदायक जय हे भारत भाग्यविधाता जय हे, जय हे, जय हे जय जय जय जय हे!

Jana-gana-mana-adhinayaka, jaya he Bharata-bhagya-vidhata. Punjab-Sindh-Gujarat-Maratha Dravida-Utkala-Banga Vindhya-Himachala-Yamuna-Ganga Uchchala-Jaladhi-taranga. Tava shubha name jage, Tava shubha asisa mage, Gahe tava jaya gatha, Jana-gana-mangala-dayaka jaya he Bharata-bhagya-vidhata. Jaya he, jaya he, jaya he, Jaya jaya jaya, jaya he!

Thou art the ruler of the minds of all people, Dispenser of India's destiny. The name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sind, Gujarat and Maratha, Of the Dravid and Orissa and Bengal; It echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas and Himalayas, Mingles in the music of the Yamuna and Ganga And is chanted by the waves of the Indian Sea. They pray for thy blessings and sing thy praise. The salvation of all people is in thy hand, Thou dispenser of India's destiny. Victory, victory, victory to thee.

It is a very sad affair in the country that today many people are not willing to spare 52 seconds to sing the National Anthem and stand up in the honor at cinemas. The politicians from the left parties & so-called liberals don't want to stand and sing the anthem. Leaders like Rahul Gandhi, the would be president of the grand old Congress party has also descended to this level to oppose the singing of national anthem in cinema halls. Why all these people are opposing the practice? Is it not true that these people can stand untiringly and beg for the votes from the people but can’t stand and sing the National Anthem for 52 seconds?

It is very sad that even after seventy years of the India’s independence, we are still debating such matters. It seems that we, the Indians are still not evolved as true Indians. It is a matter of great sadness because we are still debating whether we should spare 52 seconds in cinema halls to remember our nation and show our respect for the National Anthem. It is a matter of sadness that the Congress party which first sung the National Anthem at the dawn of Indian independence is also opposing the matter. Are we not ashamed that our soldiers at the borders are ready to offer the supreme sacrifice of their lives to defend the honor of the nation whereas we don’t want to spare 52 seconds to sing the National Anthem. What type of patriotism these leaders want to teach to their coming generations?

This is not a matter of debate. We all Indians must happily spare 52 seconds to sing the National Anthem whenever the opportunities arise. There should not be a second thought on this!