Mumbai, Nov 7 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said ‘Vande Mataram’ inspires strength and unity in the motherland and called upon citizens to rededicate themselves to invoke it as the country aims to be ‘Viksit Bharat’ in 2047.

He was speaking at a function in the state secretariat to mark the 150th anniversary of the creation of India's national song, penned by Bankimchandra Chatterjee.

“Some people feel 'Vande Mataram' is a religious song and refuse to sing it. Even Maulana Abul Kalam Azad had said it was wrong to call Vande Mataram a religious song. The song is an inspiration to sacrifice for the motherland, commitment to its unity and strength,” he said.

Fadnavis urged people to pledge to reinforce their commitment to “vikas” (development) and “virasat” (

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