The ‘Bande Mataram’

WE accord a hearty welcome to the Bande Mataram which made its first appearance on Saturday last. The paper opens with welcome messages from Dr. Rabindranath Tagore, Dr. Subramaniya Iyer, Mrs. Besant and others. The leading article entitled ‘Ourselves’ deals at length with journalism, its importance and its functions with special reference to India and the Punjab. Besides Indian telegrams, local and provincial items ‘News and Views’, there are special articles on ‘Our National Debt’, ‘Industrial and Commercial Inventions and Discoveries’, and the ‘Industrial Future of India’. The issue under notice also contains an ‘American Letter’. In the course of a signed article, Lala Lajpat Rai, writing on the policy and objects of the paper, says that generally speaking, the policy of the paper will be that of the Indian National Congress. The policy of the paper is set forth in details in regard to the leading questions of the day such as India and self-government, the Reform Act, Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs, special representation, Hindu-Muslim Unity, the Khilafat, Military and Police Expenditures, Industrial and Commercial Future of India and Women’s Education. As the service of the motherland and not monetary gain is the sole object of the proprietors of the journal, it is to be hoped that it will command the support of all Punjabees. Although there are several vernacular dailies published at Lahore, some of which are conducted with remarkable ability, we believe there is ample scope for a new first-class Urdu daily. We wish the great patriot-Editor, Lala Lajpat Rai, every success in his new venture and hope the Bande Mataram will prove a lever whereby the Punjab masses will be lifted up from their present ignorance in matters affecting their province and country.