PM Modi launches year-long commemoration of 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’
New Delhi, Nov 7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the year-long celebrations marking 150 years of India’s national song Vande Mataram, describing it as a timeless source of inspiration that unites the nation’s past, present, and future.
Speaking at the commemorative event in New Delhi, the Prime Minister said Vande Mataram is “not merely a word, it is a mantra, an energy, a dream, and a solemn resolve.”
He described the song as the embodiment of devotion to Maa Bharati, and a reminder that “no goal is beyond our reach” when the nation stands united in spirit and purpose. To mark the occasion, a commemorative coin and postage stamp dedicated to Vande Mataram were released. The event also witnessed mass singing of the full version of the song across the country, with citizens from all walks of life joining in celebration. PM Modi recalled that Vande Mataram, first published by Bankimchandra Chatterji in 1875 in the literary journal Bangadarshan as part of his novel Anandamath, became the rallying cry of India’s freedom struggle. “From the Calcutta session of 1896 where Rabindranath Tagore sang it, to the protests against the partition of Bengal in 1905, to the last words of martyrs on the gallows, Vande Mataram resonated as the heartbeat of India’s awakening,” he said.
Tracing the song’s philosophical roots, the Prime Minister said its essence lies in the eternal idea of India—a civilization that has witnessed the rise and fall of empires yet endured through moral and spiritual strength. He described Vande Mataram as a poetic expression of India’s cultural identity, born from the balance between “strength and morality.” Referring to the verses that describe India as Sujalam Sufalam, rich in rivers, fields, and forests—Mr. Modi said Bankimchandra’s vision was of a prosperous and self-reliant India, even at a time when the nation suffered under colonial exploitation. “It was not just a song of freedom—it was a vision of what a free India could be,” he noted. The Prime Minister also paid homage to the countless freedom fighters who drew courage from Vande Mataram. “From revolutionaries abroad like Veer Savarkar to those who faced bullets in Barisal, the chant of Vande Mataram united the nation in defiance and hope,” he said.
Quoting Mahatma Gandhi and Sri Aurobindo, PM Modi recalled how both leaders regarded Vande Mataram as a sacred mantra that awakened inner strength and symbolized an undivided India. He noted that while India’s national flag has evolved over time, the emotions it evokes—Bharat Mata ki Jai and Vande Mataram—remain unchanged. Reflecting on India’s journey since independence, the Prime Minister said the spirit of Vande Mataram continues to guide the country’s progress—from achievements in science and space exploration to advances in women’s empowerment and national security. “When our daughters fly fighter jets or when India reaches the South Pole of the Moon, the spontaneous chant that arises is Vande Mataram,” he said.
PM Modi also emphasized the importance of self-belief in building a developed India by 2047. “Today, Bharat Mata has 140 crore children and 280 crore hands—more than 60% of them youth. With such strength, what can be impossible for us?” he asked. Marking 11 years since the implementation of One Rank One Pension, the Prime Minister saluted India’s armed forces, stating that their victories against terrorism, Naxalism, and insurgency embody the spirit of Vande Mataram.
Concluding his address, PM Modi expressed confidence that the mantra of Vande Mataram will continue to inspire generations in the Amrit Kaal, the journey toward a self-reliant and developed India. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta were among the dignitaries present. The nationwide commemoration, which will continue until November 7, 2026, celebrates Vande Mataram’s enduring legacy as a symbol of India’s unity, strength, and spiritual identity.
