Vande Mataram

There is breath of freedom in the air. The entire nation is humming the tunes of the national song. Politico-cultural events, movies, fre...

Written by Parul

August 15, 1998 12:00 AM IST

4 min read

There is breath of freedom in the air. The entire nation is humming the tunes of the national song. Politico-cultural events, movies, fresh launches are all marking yet another year of India8217;s liberty. Pick up the telephone receiver and you are greeted by that lilting raga; switch on the TV and there again you hear the same melody 8212; Vande Mataram is the word on every ear. MTV, Channel V, our own Doordarshan are also busy giving coverage to the national song, and thanks to them, the kids are knowing more about Bankim Chandra Chattopadhayaya. This time we also have the legendary Lata Mangeshkar singing the melody after 30 long years. And it makes one proud to know that there8217;s something in the song, its words, its images, that almost drives the soul.

Some might come questioning: what are we celebrating after all? But let8217;s not get cynical. And let8217;s not start all over again with that rising price index and those falling moral standards. Let8217;s just be a part of the patriotic brigade and see how the city beautiful has chosen to go on the jamboree.

There have been a host of cultural events to mark the grand occasion: a fortnight-long bash, of dance, music, exhibitions and movies. The art lovers have never had it so good. A lot of effort has gone into making the events a success. What with famous artists like Shobha Mudgal, Sharon Lowen, Ketaki Narayan, Mallika Sarabhai performing here, the Chandigarh audience have been treated to quite a visual feast. Also came their way a chance to view unconventional, experimental ongoings of the world of art. The best performance of contemporary theatre came from Maya Krishna Rao.

Govind Nihalani8217;s Hazar Chaurisi Ki Maa was also screened in the town and the audience had a chance to get the background of the Naxalite movement. 8220;Most of us did not know what the whole movement was all about. We had pre-conceived notions about Naxalites. The movie was a sensitive portrayal8221;, says Deepika, a first year English student.

Dinesh, an art student pointed out,8220;These 14 days have been absolutely fabulous. I never knew there was so much to learn. And there was so much going on in the art world that we were not even aware of.8221;

According to Neelam Man Singh Choudhary, the whole purpose of the bonanza was to bring the City audience at par with the international audience. And the job was extremely well done.

If the art lovers benefitted from these celebrations, the business people also had a field day: the Grand Finale, 50 years of India8217;s Independence. That was the USP of Meena Bazaar, a clothes store in Sector 17 to announce a 50 per cent discount! That how they pay for the grand 50 years.

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We also have discounts and sales gimmicks whatever you may choose to call them at ice-cream parlours, video-game centres to commemorate the 50 years.

8220;It8217;s amazing and also funny on how these shopkeepers are using this opportunity to sell their products8221;, said Vibha who was busy shopping and availing discounts in Sector 17. Well each to his own.

8220;What is important is the spirit. Yes we haven8217;t achieved what was expected of us. We have the government to blame, the politicians, the system and to some extent ourselves. There8217;s much we can do to improve our lot. Population control and cleanliness is all in our hands. But do we do it?8221; asks, Gaurav, a political science student.

This question will take some time to be answered, Gaurav!

Parul

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More

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