IND vs AFG T20I: Why was Vande Mataram played before the national anthem for the first time? Here’s what the report says | Today’s news
The national song Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, was played before the national anthem Jana Gana Mana at an international sporting event for the first time, ahead of India’s T20 International against Afghanistan in New Delhi on Sunday.
The move followed a Union Home Ministry directive that all six stanzas of Vande Mataram be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The national song lasted 3 minutes and 10 seconds, while the national anthem lasted 52 seconds, making the total duration 4 minutes and 2 seconds.
The PTI news agency, citing BCCI sources, said that Vande Mataram will now be played before the opening match of every home series.
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Vande Mataram was played before the national anthem in India’s T20I against Afghanistan on the directive of the Union Home Ministry, marking its first rendition at an international sporting event.
The BCCI has announced that Vande Mataram will be played at the beginning of each home series, specifically before the first match of each series.
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued guidelines stating that the official version of Vande Mataram should last for 3 minutes and 10 seconds, with participants having to stand at attention during its performance.
Vande Mataram was adopted as the national song by the Indian National Congress in 1937 and received official recognition as the “National Song” by the Constituent Assembly in 1950.
It remains uncertain whether both Vande Mataram and the National Anthem will be played at upcoming ICC events as this was the first time the song was played at a sporting event.
“Vande Mataram will now be played at the start of every home series, before the start of the first match,” PTI quoted a BCCI source as saying.
The MHA lays down rules for the rendition of Vande Mataram
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued guidelines on February 6 outlining the protocol for singing or playing Vande Mataram at events marking 150 years of the national song.
According to the guidelines, the official version of the song was set at 3 minutes and 10 seconds. All those present are obliged to stand at attention when it is handed over.
The complete six-stanza version has also been approved for selected occasions, including formal government events attended by the president or governors, broadcasts of presidential speeches on radio and television, flag-raising ceremonies on parade, and other similar functions.
The first two stanzas of Vande Mataram were adopted as the national song by the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1937. The Constituent Assembly later granted it the status of “National Song” in 1950.
Since this song was first played at a sporting event, it remains to be seen whether both Vande Mataram and the national anthem will feature in upcoming ICC events.
Abhishek, Arshdeep powered India to victory in the series opener
India started the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan on a winning note, cruising to a seven-wicket win at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday. Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 82 and Arshdeep Singh’s three-wicket spell were outstanding performances as India took a 1-0 lead.
After opting to bat first, India restricted Afghanistan to 156/8. Azmatullah Omarzai remained unbeaten on 64 to give Afghanistan a fighting total, while Arshdeep impressed with figures of 3/19. Axar Patel (1/27), Jasprit Bumrah (1/26) and Varun Chakaravarthy (1/16) also claimed wickets.
India made easy work of the 157-run target, reaching 157/3 in just 13.4 overs. Abhishek smashed 82 off 32 balls, including seven fours and seven sixes, while Ishan Kishan contributed 42 off 33 deliveries, hitting five fours and a six. The pair added 121 runs for the second wicket to put India firmly in control of the chase.
Brief scores: Afghanistan 156/8 (Azmatullah Omarzai 64*, Mohammed Nabi 33; Arshdeep Singh 3/19) lost to India 157/3 in 13.4 overs (Abhishek Sharma 82, Ishan Kishan 42; Mohammed Nabi).
