PMC Inaugurates 'Vande Mataram' Exhibition at Panvel Natyagruha
The Panvel Municipal Corporation inaugurated a special exhibition titled 'Vande Mataram – The Call of India’s Freedom Struggle' on Thursday at the Adya Krantiveer Vasudev Balwant Phadke Natyagruha in Panvel. Organised as part of the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign, the exhibition marks 150 years of the patriotic song and seeks to promote respect for the national flag and foster patriotism ahead of Independence Day.
MLA Prashant Thakur inaugurated the exhibition in the presence of several civic leaders and officials, including Raigad Zilla Parishad president Mangesh Wadikar, Panvel mayor Nitin Patil, deputy mayor Pramila Patil, House Leader Prakash Binedar, and BJP district president Avinash Koli. Additional municipal commissioner Ganesh Shete, deputy commissioner Dr Vaibhav Vidhate, chief public relations officer Dr Raju Patodkar, and various civic members were also in attendance.
The exhibition traces the history and significance of 'Vande Mataram' through a series of informational panels. It details the circumstances under which Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay penned the song, its initial publication and first public rendition, its musical composition by Rabindranath Tagore, and translations into various languages.
Visitors can also learn about the song’s first audio recording, the broader 'Vande Mataram' movement during the independence struggle, and the historic moment when freedom fighter Madam Bhikaji Cama unfurled a flag bearing the words 'Vande Mataram'. The panels emphasize the influential role the song played in inspiring the freedom movement.
In addition to the informational displays, a large themed rangoli dedicated to 'Vande Mataram' was set up at the Natyagruha, conveying messages of national pride to the attending dignitaries and visitors.
Alongside the main exhibition, the civic body rolled out related activities across schools and colleges in the municipality. These initiatives include a tricolour rangoli competition at Shantiniketan Public School in New Panvel, an informational tricolour exhibition at KLE Junior College in Kalamboli, and another rangoli contest at Gokhale Vidyalaya in Kharghar.
