New Delhi- The year-long commemoration of “Vande Mataram” kickstarted on Friday with various leaders emphasising how this ‘maha mantra’ of nation building continues to symbolise the emotional consciousness and unity of the country’s people even as the BJP and the Congress accused each other of belittling the national song.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a programme at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium here marking the formal launch of the nationwide commemoration. He also released a commemorative stamp and coin on the occasion.

Mass recital programmes were held in several parts of the country while many schools organised special events, engaging students in the celebrations.

The song was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterji on the occasion of Akshaya Navami, which fell on Novem

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