STATE TIMES NEWS
HIRANAGAR: As part of the nationwide commemoration of 150 years of the National Song “Vande Mataram”, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Friday led a Vande Mataram padyatra in the border village of Londi More, near the Zero Line on the International Border (IB) in Hiranagar sector, Kathua district. The event was organized to celebrate the national song’s historic legacy and inspire patriotic unity among citizens.
Dr Jitendra Singh, joined by a large gathering of BSF jawans, students, youth, women, local residents, and police personnel, led the padyatra from Primary School, Londi More, to Border Out Post (BOP) Tapan amid the resonant chants of “Vande Mataram” and rhythmic beating of drums. The Minister said the celebration was held in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s directive to observe nationwide celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the national song.
Addressing the gathering at BOP Tapan, Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted the profound historical and emotional significance of “Vande Mataram”, saying it embodied India’s strength, prosperity, and divinity while inspiring unity and self-respect during the freedom struggle. “Vande Mataram gave poetic expression to India’s awakening spirit and became an enduring symbol of devotion to the nation,” he said.
The Minister announced several developmental and welfare measures for border residents, including the Government of India’s decision to compensate locals who donated their land for the establishment of BSF pickets and security posts near the Indo-Pak border. He informed that the district administration has been directed to finalize the modalities for disbursing financial aid to these beneficiaries.
In a significant announcement, Dr Jitendra Singh revealed that the government has approved the creation of an all-woman battalion for border areas, with recruitment to begin soon. This, he said, will enhance women’s participation in national service and strengthen border security.
Paying rich tributes to the Border Security Force, Dr Jitendra said, “It is because of the alertness and dedication of our jawans that citizens across the nation sleep peacefully. This padyatra is a humble gesture of gratitude to their unwavering nationalist spirit.”
He further noted that launching the celebration from the Zero Line in Kathua symbolizes the unity of citizens with the nation’s defenders. He also highlighted that the ongoing commemorations of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 150th birth anniversary and Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s 100th birth anniversary reaffirm the government’s resolve to honour India’s national icons and uphold their legacy of unity and integrity.