The Press Information Bureau, Guwahati, organised a ‘Varta’, a media dialogue, at Majuli College on Tuesday to commemorate 150 years of India’s National Song, Vande Mataram. The programme focused on the historical, cultural and national significance of the song and aimed to engage local media to enhance public awareness.
The event began with a welcome address by Pavni Gupta, Joint Director, PIB Guwahati, who spoke about the significance of holding the programme in Majuli during the 150th year of Vande Mataram. She highlighted the importance of such interactions in disseminating verified information through local media and strengthening public understanding of national heritage.
Bhuban Gam, MLA from the Majuli constituency, attended the programme and acknowledged PIB Guwahati for organising the event in Majuli and for creating a platform for dialogue with journalists. Speaking on the occasion, he said that Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and adopted as India’s National Song in 1950, is “not merely a composition but a living force of national consciousness.” He described the song as a mantra embodying energy, resolve and devotion to Maa Bharati, and stated that its words connect generations with India’s historical journey and collective aspirations.
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Debajit Saikia, Principal of Majuli College, delivered a presentation on the history, literary background and continued relevance of Vande Mataram. He stated that every poem carries a core message and that the central theme of Vande Mataram is Bharat and Maa Bharati. Referring to its origin in Anandmath, he explained the meaning of each line and its relevance across generations. He noted that although the song was composed during colonial rule, it has transcended time and attained immortality. He also explained the significance of the opening line, “Sujalam Suflaam Malayaj-Sheetalam, Sasyashyalamam Mataram”, as a tribute to the motherland blessed abundantly by nature.
Ankur Lahoty, Head of RNU, Doordarshan Assam, briefed participants on the PB-SHABD portal of Prasar Bharati and the newly launched WAVES OTT platform. He explained how journalists, particularly those working in digital media, can access authentic content free of cost through these platforms and use them to support their professional work.
In the concluding session, Pavni Gupta led an interactive discussion on the role of the Press Information Bureau as a link between the government and the media. She spoke on the importance of responsible journalism, particularly in the context of misinformation and fake news, addressed queries raised by local journalists and encouraged ethical and fact-based reporting.
The programme saw participation from local media representatives, leading to discussions on national heritage and the relevance of Vande Mataram. Dibakar Saikia, President of the District Journalists Association, and Dimbeshwar Dutta, General Secretary, thanked PIB Guwahati for organising the programme and appreciated the choice of Majuli as the venue. They also suggested organising activities such as quiz competitions and essay-writing contests in educational institutions to familiarise younger generations with the history and significance of the National Song. More than 25 media persons from Majuli attended the event.
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