Every Independence Day or Republic Day, our mornings begin the same way whether in schools or offices, on television, across gatherings with playing of the iconic song "Mere Desh Ki Dharti". Our hearts stir with pride as we listen to its timeless lyrics. Yet, not many from today’s generation may know the man behind that immortal tune.
That man was Manoj Kumar, an actor, director whose name became synonymous with patriotism in Indian cinema. While he did act in several romantic and commercial hits, it was his deep love for the nation that brought him true glory and an unshakeable place in the hearts of Indians.
In the aftermath of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, our then honourable Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri gave India an inspiring slogan "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan". Moved by its spirit, Shastriji personally requested Manoj Kumar to bring this vision to the silver screen.
The result was Upkar, a film that wasn’t just a story, but a movement. With its unforgettable music, emotional depth, and powerful message, Upkar became a national phenomenon. The song Mere Desh Ki Dharti became an anthem of patriotism, and Manoj Kumar became ‘Bharat Kumar’, the face of national pride in cinema.
Following Upkar, Manoj Kumar continued to use cinema as a medium to awaken the nation. In Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, he tackled the tough questions of poverty, unemployment, and dignity questioning,' What good is freedom if a man still struggles for food, clothing, and shelter?'
With Kranti, he brought to life India’s freedom struggle, re-igniting the spirit of independence among viewers, especially during a time when the memories of colonial rule were beginning to fade.
And most importantly there was Purab Aur Paschim, a bold assertion of Indian values and cultural pride in the face of westernization. It reminded us that while India not only gave the digit Zero to the world but also held infinite wisdom and rich culture.
"Hai preet jahaan ki reet sada
Main geet wahaan ke gaata hoon
Bharat ka rehne waala hoon
Bharat ki baat sunata hoon".
India was once known as the sone ki chidiya, the golden bird, not just for its material wealth, but for its spiritual, cultural, and intellectual richness. While colonizers plundered and tried to divide us, they couldn’t break our spirit.
Today, a new Bharat is rising rooted in tradition, yet forward-looking. We have the gold. We have the brains. And most importantly, we have the will.
From space technology to sustainable farming, from classical music to cutting-edge innovation as seen in start ups, India is reclaiming her glory, not just in history books, but in real-time.
Manoj Kumar’s legacy is not just about films, it is about values. He showed us that love for the nation is not outdated, and that pride in one’s culture is not regressive. His cinema didn’t preach, it inspired.
As we build the new Viksit Bharat, vibrant, inclusive, and self-reliant, let us carry his torch forward into Amrit Kaal as envisioned by our Honourable Prime Minister, Shri. Narendra Modi. Let us honour not just his memory, but his mission.
Bharat has always been more than a name, it is a feeling in many ways similar to how Manoj Kumar made us feel it.
He may have left us for his heavenly abode, but he will forever shine like a star, one that continuously inspires patriotism in every generation.
