“‘Vande Mataram’ is our mantra of strength, dreams, and devotion to the motherland,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the celebration of the 150th anniversary of India’s national song, “Vande Mataram.” The grand event was held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday, where the Prime Minister formally launched the year-long celebrations.

On this occasion, he released a commemorative postage stamp and a commemorative coin dedicated to “Vande Mataram.” He also launched a special web portal — “vandemataram150.in” — where citizens can upload videos of themselves singing the national song and receive a digital certificate.

In his address, Prime Minister Modi said, “‘Vande Mataram’ is not an ordinary song; it is a great mantra — a symbol of strength, dreams, and deep devotion to our motherland.” He added, “This song takes us back to our glorious past, fills the present with confidence, and gives us courage for the future — reminding us that no goal is impossible, and no resolve is too great.”

The Prime Minister noted that Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, through his composition of “Vande Mataram,” had called for a free, united, and prosperous India. Quoting Rabindranath Tagore, he recalled, “Bankim’s ‘Anandamath’ is not just a novel; it is the dream of a free India.”

Among those present at the event were Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

In his speech, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that “Vande Mataram” had ignited the spirit of rebellion in the hearts of freedom fighters and continues to inspire patriotism among Indians today. He further remarked that the song still serves as a unifying mantra of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” — binding together the strength of 1.4 billion Indians.

As part of the celebrations, people across the country sang “Vande Mataram” together at public gatherings, with enthusiastic participation from all sections of society.

It may be noted that “Vande Mataram” was composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay on Akshay Navami in 1875, and later published in his novel “Anandamath” in the magazine Banga Darshan. Invoking the motherland as a symbol of strength, prosperity, and divinity, the song remains an eternal emblem of India’s unity and national pride