Vande Mataram centenary celebrated in Pune

Pune, Sept 7: The national song, Vande Mataram which motivated Indians in their freedom struggle against the British Raj, was sung at the stroke of midnight at Khandoba Chowk at the site of Ganesh immersions.

About 10,000 students sang the national song at Ideal Colony in Kothrud at 1000 hrs today to mark its centenary celebrations.

As per the guidelines issued by Union Education Minister Arjun Singh, though singing of the song is optional, political parties like Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena (SS) are stressing on singing the song in government-run schools.

Singer Rahul Deshpande sang the national song in the presence of city Mayor Rajni Tribhuvan, Congress city President Abhay Chhajed and other leaders.

Meanwhile, police control room said about 900 Ganesh idols were immersed in Muttha river. The procession was peaceful and is expected to end today as nearly 3,000 idols are to be immersed, they added.

UNI

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