Raipur, The 150th anniversary of the national song “Vande Mataram” was celebrated across the country on Friday, marking the formal launch of a year-long national commemoration. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai led the state-level observance in Chhattisgarh, collectively singing the song with senior officials and employees at Mahanadi Bhawan, Mantralaya. The event paid rich tribute to the immortal martyrs and reaffirmed the state’s devotion to the motherland.
The Chief Minister virtually attended the inaugural national ceremony held in New Delhi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation. Prime Minister Modi launched the year-long commemoration and described “Vande Mataram” as more than just a song—calling it “a mantra, an energy, a dream, and a solemn resolve.”
Modi highlighted the song’s enduring power, stating that the words embody devotion and worship toward Maa Bharati. He affirmed that the collective singing of the anthem provides the courage to believe that “there is no resolve that cannot be achieved, no goal that we, the people of India, cannot attain.”4
The Prime Minister recalled that “Vande Mataram” was the clarion call of India’s freedom movement, inspiring millions to break free from colonial rule.5 He emphasised that the song captures the essence of India’s rich civilisation, culture, and history, remaining relevant today in the journey toward a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India).
To mark the milestone, Prime Minister Modi released a special commemorative stamp and coin. The government has planned a year-long series of events, running from November 7, 2025, to November 7, 2026, aimed at connecting citizens, especially the youth, with the song’s original, revolutionary spirit.7
The Prime Minister also launched the “India Portal” (vandematram150.in), an interactive platform allowing citizens to record and share their own renditions of “Vande Mataram.” This initiative seeks to make every Indian a part of the national celebration, fostering a symphony of collective harmony that echoes the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai extended his greetings to the people of Chhattisgarh on the historic day, calling “Vande Mataram” an eternal symbol of love and devotion toward the motherland. He mentioned that the mass singing of the song, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee on November 7, 1875, will be remembered as a historic tribute to the nation’s spiritual and cultural awakening.
The Chief Minister pointed out that hearing the song fills every Indian with pride, energy, and a deep sense of patriotism. He cited the ancient verse “Janani Janmabhoomishcha Swargadapi Gariyasi” (Mother and Motherland are superior to heaven) to reflect the profound sentiment expressed in the national song.
In Raipur, Chief Minister Sai also inaugurated a photo exhibition organised by the Ministry of Culture at Mahanadi Bhawan. The exhibition depicts the historical journey of “Vande Mataram” from its composition and inclusion in the novel Anand Math to its rise as a symbol of national consciousness.11 He urged citizens to take a pledge to contribute toward building a prosperous Chhattisgarh, dedicated to the motherland.