Vande Mataram 150 Years of National Pride

Inauguration of the Celebration

Vande Mataram 150 Years of National Pride: On 7 November 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 150-year celebration of the national song “Vande Mataram” at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. The ceremony marked the beginning of a year-long commemoration that will run until 7 November 2026. The event highlighted India’s cultural identity and national integration, emphasizing the enduring spirit of the song that united Indians during the freedom struggle.

Key Highlights of the Event

The inauguration featured the release of a commemorative stamp and coin, symbolising 150 years of “Vande Mataram.” The portal — vandemataram150.in — was launched to encourage citizen participation, where individuals can upload their renditions of the song and receive digital certificates.

A mass singing of the full version of “Vande Mataram” was organised at 10 AM across schools, government offices, and public institutions nationwide. Additionally, a special concert titled “Vande Mataram: Naad Ekam, Roopam Anekam” showcased around 75 artists, and an exhibition traced the song’s historical journey from its literary roots to its role in India’s independence.

Static GK fact: The Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi is India’s largest indoor sports arena, inaugurated in 1982 for the Asian Games.

Prime Minister’s Address

During his address, PM Modi described “Vande Mataram” as “a mantra, an energy, a dream, and a resolution”, underlining its power to connect all 140 crore Indians in a common emotional thread. He highlighted that the song is not merely a composition but a national sentiment symbolising devotion to Mother India and the nation’s shared ideals of unity and progress.

Historical Significance of “Vande Mataram”

Composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterji around 7 November 1875 on Akshaya Navami, the song first appeared in his celebrated novel Anandamath. Published through the Bengali journal Bangadarshan, it became a rallying cry for the Indian freedom movement.

Static GK Tip: “Vande Mataram” was first sung publicly at the 1896 Indian National Congress Session in Calcutta by Rabindranath Tagore.

In 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, declared that “Vande Mataram,” due to its historic role in the freedom struggle, would be given equal status with the national anthem Jana Gana Mana. The song’s two opening stanzas were officially recognised as the National Song of India.

Cultural and Civic Impact

The 150-year celebration is not only a tribute to the song’s historical legacy but also an initiative to promote cultural participation and digital inclusion through citizen engagement. By linking modern technology with patriotic sentiment, the programme aims to make younger generations more aware of India’s freedom heritage and linguistic diversity.

Static GK fact: The term “Vande Mataram” means “I bow to thee, Mother,” symbolising reverence for the motherland as divine.

Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table

Vande Mataram 150 Years of National Pride: