Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated a year-long nationwide celebration to mark 150 years of India’s national song, Vande Mataram, at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.
Addressing a packed audience, he said that Vande Mataram continues to ‘boost the nation’s self-confidence’ and remains a timeless source of inspiration and pride for every Indian.
The Prime Minister unveiled a commemorative postal stamp and coin to mark the occasion and also visited an exhibition dedicated to the theme of Vande Mataram.
He was joined by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena at the historic event.
Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said, “November 7 is a historic day for the nation. Today, we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, a song that connects us to our roots and inspires millions. It is not merely a song — it is a mantra, an energy, a dream, and a resolution. It reminds us that there is no goal we cannot achieve when united under the spirit of Bharat Mata.”
The Prime Minister described the collective recitation of Vande Mataram as a profound spiritual experience that transcends boundaries.
He said that the celebration, which will continue till November 7, 2026, aims to rekindle the same spirit of unity and resilience that once fuelled India’s freedom struggle.
Nationwide Participation and Mass Singing
The inaugural day witnessed the mass singing of Vande Mataram across India at 9:50 AM, synchronised with the main event in Delhi.
From schools and public squares to cultural institutions, citizens participated with enthusiasm, symbolising the song’s enduring emotional connection to India’s identity.
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in his address, said, “Thousands who gave their lives for freedom may have uttered their last words — Vande Mataram. Today, as we mark 150 years of this anthem of devotion, let us remember that if one spirit can unite India in its journey towards Viksit Bharat (Developed India), it is Vande Mataram.”
He also announced the launch of a digital portal allowing citizens to upload and share their own renditions of the national song.
Legacy of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and Historical Context
Composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee on Akshaya Navami, 7 November 1875, Vande Mataram first appeared in his celebrated novel Anandamath and was published in the literary journal Bangadarshan.
The song invokes the Motherland as a divine embodiment of strength, prosperity, and beauty, inspiring generations to uphold freedom and unity.
Noted philosopher Sri Aurobindo, writing in 1907, described Vande Mataram as ‘the awakening cry of a nation rediscovering its soul’.
During the Swadeshi and anti-partition movements, it became the anthem of India’s freedom struggle, transcending regional and linguistic barriers.
As the nation embarks on this year-long commemoration, the government’s cultural and educational initiatives will highlight the song’s legacy through exhibitions, school programmes, and performances nationwide.
Concluding his address, PM Modi said, “Vande Mataram will continue to echo in every heart that beats for India. It reminds us of our strength, our unity, and our unbreakable faith in Maa Bharati. This celebration is not only about history — it is about the spirit that continues to guide our future.”
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