Vande Mataram centenary celebrated

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Although the state government made singing Vande Mataram optional, opposition BJP and Shiv Sena organised functions all over the state to celebrate the centenary of the national song.

At Tilak Bhavan, headquarters of state Congress, chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh joined MPCC chief Prabha Rau and senior party leaders in singing the national song. Workers of the Congress Seva Dal were also present.

Shiv Sena and its affiliate organisations, including its labour wing Bharatiya Kamgar Sena (BKS), organised several programmes to mark the occasion. BKS members sung Vande Mataram at the Mumbai airport.

The Sena organised mass singing of Vande Mataram at all its branches in the state. Shiv Sainiks, carrying the national flag, also recited the national song at prominent public places like roads and squares. A procession was organised from the Sena Bhavan at Dadar to Veer Savarkar's memorial Shivaji Park.

As directed by mayor Datta Dalvi, Vande Mataram was sung at all BMC-run schools.