Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the year-long commemoration of India’s National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.
Marking the 150th anniversary of the iconic composition by Bankimchandra Chatterji, the Prime Minister also released a commemorative stamp and coin and launched a dedicated portal to honour the milestone.
The celebrations witnessed the mass singing of the full version of ‘Vande Mataram’ across public places nationwide, with enthusiastic participation from citizens across all walks of life. Prime Minister Modi joined in the rendition at the main venue in New Delhi.
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Saxena, and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta were also present on the occasion.
The programme marks the formal launch of a year-long nationwide commemoration from November 7, 2025, to November 7, 2026, celebrating 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’—a song that inspired India’s freedom movement and continues to evoke national pride and unity.
The song was written by Bankimchandra Chatterji on Akshaya Navami, November 7, 1875, and first appeared in the literary journal Bangadarshan as part of his novel Anandamath. The composition, invoking the Motherland as the embodiment of strength, prosperity, and divinity, became a symbol of India’s awakening and self-respect.
In October, the Union Cabinet approved nationwide celebrations to mark the anniversary, aiming to connect citizens—particularly youth and students—with the song’s enduring spirit of patriotism.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also planned extensive programmes across the country to commemorate both the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’ and the 150th birth anniversary of tribal icon Bhagwan Birsa Munda.