New Delhi, November 7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that Vande Mataram is not just a word, but a mantra, an energy, a dream, and a resolve. This song symbolizes devotion and dedication to Mother India, connecting us to our past, instilling confidence in the present, and giving courage for the future.
Prime Minister Modi today launched a year-long celebration in New Delhi to mark the 150th anniversary of the national song Vande Mataram. He also released a special commemorative coin and postage stamp on Vande Mataram.
On this occasion, he said that the core spirit of Vande Mataram is Bharat Mata, the eternal concept of Bharat. When this consciousness manifested in words and rhythm, a composition like Vande Mataram emerged. During the era of slavery, this very proclamation became the pledge for India’s independence. Vande Mataram became the voice of the freedom struggle, ingrained in the lips of every revolutionary and the soul of every Indian.
Recalling the historic journey of Vande Mataram over 150 years, the Prime Minister said that when Bankim Chandra Chatterjee published it in Bangadarshan in 1875, no one imagined that the song would become the soul of the freedom movement. In 1896, Rabindranath Tagore sang it at the Congress session, and in 1905, it became a prominent slogan of protest during the Partition of Bengal movement. Vande Mataram not only united the people against British rule but also awakened the dream of a prosperous, prosperous India.
Prime Minister said that the song was an inspiration for freedom fighters and even today symbolizes the resolve to defend freedom. Bankim Babu portrayed Mother India as Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and Durga, the goddess of power. This sentiment is making India a leader in the fields of science, technology, defense, and self-reliance. When India set foot on the Moon’s South Pole, when our daughters began flying fighter jets, or when they began reaching new heights in science and sports, the same voice emanated from every Indian’s heart: ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’, ‘Vande Mataram’.
Prime Minister Modi said that Vande Mataram is not just a song of freedom but an expression of India’s soul. On this occasion, he paid tribute to all the known and unknown freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives chanting Vande Mataram.
Many dignitaries, including Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena, and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, were present at the ceremony.
This event marks the beginning of a series of events, scheduled from November 7, 2025, to November 7, 2026, to mark the 150th anniversary of the national song, Vande Mataram. As part of this initiative, numerous public participation events will be organized at public places across the country, including the mass singing of Vande Mataram.