One of the common activities performed during Independence Day celebrations is the recitation of the National Pledge in a fixed specific manner and singing of National Song. The National Pledge is recited in a loud voice in unison by standing straight and stretching the right hand forward. Many Indian schools include national pledge as a part of daily morning assemblies and essentially also included in the observance ceremonies for Independence Day and Republic Day.National Pledge
India is my country.
All Indians are my brothers and sisters.
I love my country.
I am proud of its rich and varied heritage.
I shall always strive to be worthy of it.
I shall give my parents, teachers and all elders, respect, and treat everyone with courtesy.
To my country and my people, I pledge my devotion.
In their well being and prosperity alone, lies my happiness.
All Indians are my brothers and sisters.
I love my country.
I am proud of its rich and varied heritage.
I shall always strive to be worthy of it.
I shall give my parents, teachers and all elders, respect, and treat everyone with courtesy.
To my country and my people, I pledge my devotion.
In their well being and prosperity alone, lies my happiness.
National Song
Bankim Chandra Chatterjee composed the national song of India with a title “Vande Matram”. The was first sung by Rabindranath Tagore by setting heart touching glorious tone to it. The song was first sung at the session of the Indian National Congress in 1896. Shri Aurobindo translated the national song into the English version which is considered as official and best as per Bhavan s book, Vande Mataram by Moni Bagchee.
Vande Mataram
Vande Mataram !Sujalam, Suphalam,Malayaja Shitalam,
Shasya shyamalam, Mataram !
Shubhra jyotsna Pulakita yaminim
Phulla Kusumita
Drumadala Shobhinim,
Suhasinim, Sumadhura Bhashinim,
Sukhadam, Varadam, Mataram !
Sapta Kotikantha Kalakala Ninada Karale
Dvisapt Koti Bhujair Dhrita Khara Karavale
Abala Kena Ma Eta Bale !
Bahubala Dharinim,Namami Tarinim,
Ripudalavarinim Mataram !
Tvam Hi Durga
Dashpraharana Dharini,
Kamala, Kamaladalaviharini, Vani,
Vidyadayani, Namami Tvam,
Namami, Kamalam,
Amalam, Atulam,
Sujalam, Suphalam, Mataram,
Vande Mataram !
Shyamalam, Saralam,
Susmitam, Bhushitam,
Dharanim, Bharanim Mataram !
Translation in English by Sri Aurobindo
Mother, I bow to thee!Rich with thy hurrying streams,
bright with orchard gleams,
Cool with thy winds of delight,
Dark fields waving Mother of might,
Mother free.
Glory of moonlight dreams,
Over thy branches and lordly streams,
Clad in thy blossoming trees,
Mother, giver of ease
Laughing low and sweet!
Mother I kiss thy feet,
Speaker sweet and low!
Mother, to thee I bow.
Who hath said thou art weak in thy lands
When the sword flesh out in the seventy million hands
And seventy million voices roar
Thy dreadful name from shore to shore?
With many strengths who art mighty and stored,
To thee I call Mother and Lord!
Though who savest, arise and save!
To her I cry who ever her foeman drove
Back from plain and Sea
And shook herself free.
Thou art wisdom, thou art law,
Thou art heart, our soul, our breath
Though art love divine, the awe
In our hearts that conquers death.
Thine the strength that nervs the arm,
Thine the beauty, thine the charm.
Every image made divine
In our temples is but thine.
Thou art Durga, Lady and Queen,
With her hands that strike and her
swords of sheen,
Thou art Lakshmi lotus-throned,
And the Muse a hundred-toned,
Pure and perfect without peer,
Mother lend thine ear,
Rich with thy hurrying streams,
Bright with thy orchard gleems,
Dark of hue O candid-fair
In thy soul, with jewelled hair
And thy glorious smile divine,
Lovilest of all earthly lands,
Showering wealth from well-stored hands!
Mother, mother mine!
Mother sweet, I bow to thee,
Mother great and free!