India Launches Year-Long 150th Anniversary of Vande Mataram
The Live Info Media
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a year-long commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875 and first sung publicly by Rabindranath Tagore in 1896 at the Indian National Congress session. The event at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Delhi kicked off nationwide mass recitations and international celebrations, highlighting the song’s role in India’s freedom struggle. While the festivities promote national unity, ongoing discussions address its historical adoption and religious sensitivities from the 1937 Congress resolution.
India Launches Year-Long Celebration for ‘Vande Mataram’ 150th Anniversary
India has officially launched a year-long national commemoration to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the creation of the national song, ‘Vande Mataram.’ The celebration began on Friday, November 7, 2025, and will run until November 7, 2026.
Prime Minister and Home Minister Lead the Launch
The official launch event was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. At the event, the Prime Minister released a commemorative stamp and coin to mark the occasion.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also shared a message on social media (X), highlighting the song’s importance. He stated that ‘Vande Mataram’ is “not merely a collection of words, it is the voice of India’s soul.”
The Song’s Role in National Consciousness
Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the song’s historic and continuing significance:
- During the Freedom Movement: He noted that against the British regime, ‘Vande Mataram’ “united the nation and strengthened the consciousness of freedom.” It also awakened an unwavering dedication and spirit of sacrifice in the revolutionaries.
- Today’s Relevance: Shah affirmed that the song continues to “ignite the eternal flame of nationalism” in the hearts of the countrymen and remains a source of unity, patriotism, and renewed energy, especially among the youth.
History and Composition
The national song, ‘Vande Mataram,’ was composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.
- First Publication: It was first published on November 7, 1875, in the Bengali literary journal ‘Bangadarshan.’
- Novel Inclusion: Chatterjee later incorporated the hymn into his famous novel, ‘Anandamath,’ which was published in 1882.
- Musical Setting: The song was set to music by Rabindranath Tagore.
The government’s official statement described ‘Vande Mataram’ as an integral part of the nation’s civilisational, political, and cultural consciousness.
Call for Citizen Participation
Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged citizens across the country to participate in the commemoration by collectively singing the full version of the national song with their family members. He stressed that this effort is crucial to ensure that ‘Vande Mataram’ remains a “centre of inspiration for future generations.”
