Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the year-long commemoration of Vande Mataram’s 150th anniversary at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, describing it as a defining moment in India’s cultural journey.
Addressing a packed audience, PM Modi said, “From the eternal journey of humankind, we have learned and drawn new conclusions from time to time. Based on those learnings, we shaped and refined the values and ideals of our civilisation. Our ancestors, sages, seers, and divine souls gave us a distinct cultural identity.”
He emphasised that during the era of slavery, India’s awakening found its voice in Vande Mataram — a clarion call through which her children vowed to break the chains binding Maa Bharati.
“Vande Mataram has always been relevant and has achieved immortality,” he stated.
Reflecting on the song’s origins, PM Modi recalled that in 1875, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee first published Vande Mataram in Bangadarshan.
“Some thought it was merely a song,” he said, “but gradually it became the collective voice of India’s awakening — the united cry of millions that echoed the spirit of revolution.”
He further noted that even amidst pain, destruction, and despair, Bankim Chandra envisioned a prosperous India.
“He believed that no matter how dark the times, India could always revive its golden era. That’s why he invoked the call of Vande Mataram,” PM Modi remarked.
A Symbol of Freedom and Unity
The Prime Minister also highlighted the song’s central role in India’s freedom movement, recalling how it inspired revolutionaries across the country.
“Freedom fighters like Veer Savarkar greeted one another with Vande Mataram. Many revolutionaries shouted it even as they stood on the gallows,” he said.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the year 2025 marks 150 years since Bankim Chandra Chatterjee composed Vande Mataram on Akshaya Navami, November 7, 1875.
The song, first published as part of the novel Anandamath, portrays the Motherland as a divine embodiment of strength, prosperity, and unity.
On 1 October, the Union Cabinet approved a nationwide programme to celebrate Vande Mataram’s 150th anniversary.
The initiative aims to connect citizens—especially youth and students—with the song’s revolutionary spirit and enduring message of patriotism.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has outlined extensive plans for the celebrations, which will also honour another milestone: the 150th birth anniversary of tribal icon Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
Together, these commemorations are set to highlight India’s cultural heritage, national pride, and timeless values that continue to inspire generations.
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