Students create world record in singing 'Vande Mataram'

As many as 4,580 students from 23 colleges sung 'Vande Mataram' on the shore of Malpe beach in the backdrop of the rhythmic tune provided by the jingles of waves on Saturday.

The programme by Samvedana Foundation, Malpe, organised to create a world record by reciting Vande Mataram, indeed spread the fervour of patriotism all over the surrounding. Although the aim was to achieve a Golden Book of World Record, the major goal was to create patriotic fervour among the students.

Singers, like Sangeetha Ravindranath, Malini Keshav, Suhana Sayeed and others joined the group of students. A 200 metre-long national flag was carried in a grand procession from Gandhi Shathabdhi Maidan in Malpe to the beach before the programme. More than 5,000 people, excluding students, were mute spectators to the mega event.

The uniqueness of the event was that it was held to mark the birth anniversary celebrations of Swami Vivekananda.

The record was created for the green initiative is already being considered at Udupi by the foundation which enabled the students to wear the badges carrying the slogan of saving nature for future. The students were trained for a couple of days to join the chorus of patriotism.

Speaking on the occasion, District In-charge Minister Pramod Madhwaraj said that youths should strive for building the country following the ideals of the greate visionaries like Swami Vivekananda.

The message of patriotism imbibed among the youths should send the unique message of oneness and brotherhood, he added.

Singer Suhana Sayeed said that event is an outstanding and memorable one.

It is a special experience that thousands of students joined hands to sing Vande Mataram, she added.

Golden Book of World Record, Delhi, chief organiser Santhosh Agarwal said that Udupi has created a world record wherein a large congregation has come together to sing the national song.

"This is for the first time that the maximum number of people gathered at one place and wore the badges. This is a new world record," he added.