NEW DELHI: The historic Central Hall of Parliament came alive on Thursday with the collective memories of the nation spread over 150 years as it witnessed the commemoration of the first War of Independence of 1857.

Evocative music, poetry and resounding speeches brought to mind the events that led to the start of India's tryst with destiny in this very hall at the stroke of midnight of August 14/15, 1947.

President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and many dignitaries led the nation in paying homage to martyrs and revolutionaries and recalled their sacrifices by observing a minute's silence.

"United rebellion"

Dr. Singh said the events of 1857 were "a great testimony and tribute to the traditions of Hindu-Muslim unity in India."

The sepoys, who raised the banner of revolt against the British might have rallied under the flag of `deen' and `dharma', but the "rebellion was united." There was "no division between Hindus and Muslims in their resistance to alien domination."

He noted that both Karl Marx and Benjamin Disraeli, viewing the events from a distance and from different ideological perspectives, had concluded that 1857 was nothing short of a national revolt against foreign rule.

To emphasise this lesson from history, Dr. Singh quoted Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, who wrote: "Hindus and Muslims stood shoulder to shoulder ... There is no record of a single incident of conflict or clash on a religious basis even though there are instances where British officers tried to weaken the Indian camp by stressing such differences. India faced the trial of 1857 as a united community."

The Prime Minister emphasised that it was our responsibility to ensure that a new prosperous India was "inclusive as well as caring."

Emphasising the need to develop a value system, Mr. Kalam talked of stability in polity, recommending the need for a multi-party system to evolve into a stable two-party system.

He called upon MPs to dream of becoming "visionary leaders."

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