150th Anniversary of Vande Mataram
- Indian Prime Minister launches the year-long national celebration marking the 150th anniversary of India’s national song “Vande Mataram” at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.
- The event marks the start of a year-long celebration (Nov 7, 2025–Nov 7, 2026) honoring the legacy of Vande Mataram.
About Vande Mataram (National Song of India)
- Written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in Sanskrit (using Bengali script) in 1875.
- Featured in his Bengali novel Anandamath (1882).
- Meaning:The title “Bande Mataram” means “I praise thee, Mother”, symbolising devotion to the motherland.
- First Performance: Rabindranath Tagore first sang it at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress.
- Adoption as National Song: The Congress Working Committee adopted the first two verses as India’s National Song in 1937.
- Role in Freedom Struggle: Became a rallying cry for freedom fighters, sung at protests and political meetings, symbolising unity and courage.
- Post-Independence Recognition: On January 24, 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad declared Vande Mataram as the National Song of India, giving it equal honour with Jana Gana Mana.
- The Constitution of India, under Article 51A(a), mandates citizens to respect the Constitution, its ideals, institutions, the National Flag, and the National Anthem; it does not specifically mention the national song.
Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 (KTS 4.0)
- The Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS) is an annual initiative under the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ program, focused on strengthening the cultural and intellectual ties between Tamil Nadu and Kashi (Varanasi).
- Begins on December 2 in Varanasi and runs for two weeks.
- Theme: “Let us Learn Tamil – Karpom Tamil.”
- Aim: To spread Tamil language learning across India and highlight the oneness of Bharatiya Bhasha family.
- Significance: Strengthens cultural and intellectual ties between Tamil Nadu and Kashi, promoting Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
New Initiatives (2025):
- “Tamil Karpom” – Students from North India to learn Tamil in Tamil Nadu.
- “Agasthya Expedition” – Journey from Tenkasi to Kashi, showcasing Tamil Nadu’s contributions.
Past Editions:
| Edition | Dates | Location/Host | Key Highlights |
| First (KTS 1.0) | Nov 16 to Dec 15, 2022 | Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi , Uttar Pradesh | Over 2,500 people from Tamil Nadu (12 walks of life) toured Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya. |
| Second (KTS 2.0) | Dec 17 to Dec 30, 2023 | Namo Ghat in Varanasi , Uttar Pradesh | Featured the first-ever real-time, app-based translation of the PM’s speech in Tamil. |
| Third (KTS 3.0) | Feb 15 to Feb 24, 2025 | Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi , Uttar Pradesh | Highlighted the legacy of Sage Agasthyar and bridged Indian knowledge tradition with contemporary discourse. Around 1,000 delegates participated. |
Operation White Cauldron
- The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) busted a clandestine factory in Valsad, Gujarat, manufacturing the psychotropic drug Alprazolam, seizing drugs worth ₹22 crore under “Operation White Cauldron
- A nationwide anti-narcotics operation led by the DRI targeting clandestine drug manufacturing units involved in producing psychotropic substances under the NDPS Act, 1985.
- Aim: To dismantle inter-state synthetic drug networks, curb illegal trade of chemical precursors, and support India’s Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.
