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India Marks 150 Years of ‘Vande Mataram’—PM Modi Launches Year-Long Nationwide Celebration

Minakshi Srivastava By
Calender Nov 07, 2025
India News 5 min read

India Marks 150 Years of ‘Vande Mataram’—PM Modi Launches Year-Long Nationwide Celebration

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the year-long commemoration of India’s National Song, Vande Mataram, marking 150 years of the iconic composition that continues to inspire generations. The grand celebration, held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in the national capital, witnessed the release of a commemorative stamp and coin, alongside the collective singing of the full version of the song across the country.

Addressing a massive gathering, PM Modi described Vande Mataram as a timeless expression of patriotism that instills courage, confidence, and unity among Indians. “The word Vande Mataram fills our present with self-confidence and gives us courage that there is no goal that cannot be achieved,” he said, amid resounding applause from attendees.

PM Modi Leads 150 Years of Vande Mataram Celebrations

‘Vande Mataram’ Gives Us New Energy and Inspiration: PM Modi

In his keynote address, Prime Minister Modi reflected on the significance of the moment, calling November 7 a “historic day” for every Indian. “Today, we mark 150 years of Vande Mataram; this will give us new inspiration and fill the people of the country with new energy,” he declared.

Emphasizing the emotional and cultural essence of the song, he said, “The main emotion of Vande Mataram is Bharat, Maa Bharati. Bharat, as a nation, emerged as a gem that endured every blow of the past and through resilience, achieved immortality.”

PM Modi added that Vande Mataram remains relevant across eras, as it continues to embody the ideals of sacrifice, pride, and unity that shaped India’s journey from colonial subjugation to freedom and progress. “Vande Mataram is not confined to the pages of history — it is a living inspiration for every generation,” he said.

Year-Long Nationwide Celebrations: ‘Vande Mataram@150’

The commemoration marks the formal launch of a year-long nationwide initiative — from November 7, 2025, to November 7, 2026 — celebrating 150 years of Vande Mataram, a composition that fueled India’s freedom movement and continues to evoke deep national pride.

To mark the beginning of this grand observance, the government has also launched an official digital portal dedicated to Vande Mataram@150. Announcing the initiative on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi wrote, “We celebrate 150 glorious years of Vande Mataram, a stirring call that has inspired generations and ignited an undying spirit of patriotism across our nation.”

The celebrations kicked off with a mass singing of the full version of Vande Mataram at around 9:50 AM across public spaces in India. Citizens from all walks of life — students, workers, soldiers, and professionals — joined the synchronized tribute to the motherland.

The Origin of ‘Vande Mataram’: A Song That Awakened a Nation

The year 2025 marks 150 years since Vande Mataram was composed. The song was written by Bankimchandra Chatterji on November 7, 1875, during the auspicious festival of Akshaya Navami.

Originally published in the literary journal Bangadarshan, Vande Mataram appeared as part of Chatterji’s famous novel Anandamath. The composition invoked the motherland as a divine embodiment of strength (Shakti), prosperity (Lakshmi), and wisdom (Saraswati), expressing India’s awakening spirit of unity and self-respect during the colonial period.

According to the statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Vande Mataram soon transcended literature to become “an enduring symbol of devotion to the nation.” The song’s lyrical power united Indians across linguistic, regional, and social boundaries, and became the spiritual anthem of the freedom movement.

PM Modi: “The Song Is Relevant in Every Era”

Reiterating the eternal significance of the national song, PM Modi stated that Vande Mataram continues to guide India’s journey even today. “It is relevant in every era. It was the heartbeat of our freedom struggle, and today it is the spirit of our progress and development,” he said.

Ahead of the event, the Prime Minister expressed his enthusiasm through a heartfelt post on X. “Tomorrow, November 7, will be a historic day for the countrymen. We are going to celebrate the glorious 150 years of the Vande Mataram song. This inspiring call has imbued many generations of the country with the spirit of patriotism,” he wrote.

He added that the ceremony would feature the release of a commemorative stamp and coin, and the “collective singing of Vande Mataram will be the main attraction.”

Nationwide Celebrations: From Delhi to Lucknow, Jaipur, and Patna

While the main programme unfolded in New Delhi, the celebrations resonated across India, uniting millions in song and spirit.

In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the Vande Mataram@150 celebrations at Lok Bhawan, calling upon citizens to participate in the mass singing “in one voice, one resolve, and one sentiment.”

Taking to X, he wrote: “Let us all join in this nation-inspiring call from the Prime Minister ji and collectively sing the national song in one voice, one resolve, and one sentiment. This is not just a song but the echo of the nation’s soul, connecting us with unity, integrity, and the resolve of ‘One India, Great India.’ Vande Mataram!”

In Prayagraj, members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) organized a special ceremony to mark the occasion, while in Patna, Union Home Minister Amit Shah joined the celebrations.

Amit Shah: ‘Vande Mataram’ Is the Voice of India’s Soul

Speaking at the event in Patna, Home Minister Amit Shah underscored the song’s historic and emotional significance, saying that Vande Mataram not only inspired the freedom movement but also helped preserve India’s unity after Independence.

He emphasized that the dreams envisioned by India’s freedom fighters are being realized through the collective efforts of the people over the last 11 years.

A day before the event, Shah had shared an emotional post on X, calling Vande Mataram “the voice of India’s soul.” He wrote, “Vande Mataram is not merely a collection of words; it is the voice of India’s soul. Against the English regime, Vande Mataram united the nation and strengthened the consciousness of freedom. At the same time, it awakened in the revolutionaries an unwavering dedication, pride, and spirit of sacrifice for the motherland.”

His remarks echoed the sentiment shared by countless Indians who view Vande Mataram as more than a song — a symbol of India’s indomitable spirit.

Grand Display in Jaipur: 50,000 Tirangas Adorn the Skyline

In Jaipur, thousands gathered at SMS Stadium, where Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma led the Vande Mataram@150 celebrations. The event featured mass singing of the national song and a spectacular display of 50,000 Tirangas (Indian flags), symbolizing the unity and diversity of India.

According to reports by PTI, the atmosphere in the stadium was electric, as students, cultural troupes, and citizens from all backgrounds joined in the synchronized chorus of Vande Mataram. The event concluded with a patriotic performance celebrating India’s cultural heritage and its journey toward progress.

Across India, similar events were organized in schools, colleges, government institutions, and community spaces — reaffirming the message that Vande Mataram continues to unite India under one spirit: love for the motherland.

The Everlasting Legacy of ‘Vande Mataram’

Composed 150 years ago, Vande Mataram remains one of the most powerful expressions of patriotism in Indian history. It became a rallying cry during the Swadeshi movement and was sung by freedom fighters such as Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Lala Lajpat Rai. The song’s reverberating words — “Mother, I bow to thee” — continue to symbolize India’s unity, strength, and spiritual essence.

Today, as India celebrates this monumental milestone, the song stands as a bridge between the nation’s past and future — a reminder of the struggles endured and the dreams still to be realized.

Prime Minister Modi’s call to honor Vande Mataram through year-long celebrations is not merely a tribute to Bankimchandra Chatterji’s genius but also an affirmation of India’s collective identity. “Vande Mataram gives us the courage to believe that there is no goal we cannot achieve,” PM Modi said — encapsulating the enduring relevance of the national song.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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