Independence Day 2024: The 78th Independence Day is being celebrated across the country on 15 August. Our country became independent on 15 August 1947, since then every year Independence Day is celebrated by hoisting the flag at the Red Fort in Delhi. The national anthem is sung after the Prime Minister of the country hoists the flag at the Red Fort. However, this has not happened since the first Independence Day. That is, for the first time when Independence Day was celebrated, the national anthem was not sung in the country. Let us know the reason and history behind this.
Why was the national anthem not sung for the first time during Independence Day celebrations?
Rabindranath Tagore wrote the country's national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana' in 1911 itself. But it was recognized as the national anthem in 1950. During the freedom struggle, not only 'Jana Gana Mana' written by Rabindranath Tagore became popular, but apart from these two songs, 'Vande Mataram' and 'Saare Jahan Se Achcha' also gained popularity. These were the songs that infused new life into the people during the country's freedom struggle, which impacted the whole world in 1947.
How did the country get its national anthem?
When the country became independent, we did not have a national anthem, so the national anthem was not sung on the first Independence Day. At that time, there was a vote between 'Jana Gana Mana' and 'Vande Mataram' for the national anthem. Despite all the controversies, 'Vande Mataram' got the most votes. However, the country united in diversity needed an anthem that would symbolize the whole country and that too, about which there would be no doubt in anyone's mind. This was the reason why 'Vande Mataram' was not made the national anthem despite getting the most votes.
For this reason, when the country became independent, it did not have its own national anthem. When the Constitution was made in 1950, 'Jana Gana Mana' was recognized as the national anthem. However, considering the popularity of 'Vande Mataram' at that time, its first two verses were recognized as the national anthem.