THE nation united on Friday in a resounding chorus, singing ‘Vande Mataram’ to commemorate the 150th anniversary of India’s National Song - an anthem that once awakened a sleeping nation. Across India, the collective voice of citizens echoed a sense of patriotism and gratitude. In Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai led senior officials and staff at the Mahanadi Bhawan Secretariat in a spirited rendition of the song, while also participating virtually in the national ceremony in

 

New Delhi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered his address. Describing ‘Vande Mataram’ as a ‘stirring expression of devotion to Mother India,’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked that the mass singing of the song creates ‘a rhythm, a resonance, and a harmony that touches the heart.’ He emphasised the enduring essence of the song, highlighting its invocation of Bharat Mata as the embodiment of India’s eternal identity, independent spirit, and rich cultural heritage. The PM said, ‘Vande Mataram’ was not merely a song during the freedom struggle; it was the battle cry that awakened India.”

 

He recognised its role in inspiring revolutionaries to strive for freedom and its continued relevance as a timeless anthem stirring the nation’s soul. . Extending greetings to the people of Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai described “Vande Mataram” as a symbol of “boundless love, gratitude, and sacred duty towards the motherland.” He recalled that, under the Prime Minister’s leadership, the nation sang in unison to pay homage to the motherland. The Chief Minister noted that the yearlong commemoration launched today celebrates a “glorious milestone in the journey of this immortal creation.”

 

The release of a commemorative coin dedicated to “Vande Mataram” during the event adds a tangible memory to this historic occasion. Recounting the song’s origin, CM Sai highlighted that Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay composed “Vande Mataram” on November 7, 1875, subsequently including it in his classic novel Anandamath. He observed that the song was conceived as a hymn to the motherland and became the driving inspiration for the freedom movement.

 

Countless revolutionaries, he noted, sacrificed their lives chanting “Vande Mataram.” The anthem played a crucial role during the Swadeshi Movement of 1905, emerging as a unifying cry against the partition of Bengal. According to the Chief Minister, the song is a mantra of cultural unity and patriotism, uniting the country from north to south, east to west. During the national ceremony, the Prime Minister released a commemorative coin and postal stamp marking the 150th anniversary,

 

and inaugurated the “Vande Bharat Portal” (vandematram150.in), a digital platform for citizens to record their renditions of the anthem and participate in the country’s living heritage. In Raipur, CM Sai also inaugurated a photo exhibition at Mahanadi Bhawan Secretariat dedicated to the 150th anniversary of “Vande Mataram,” chronicling its journey from inception to becoming a national symbol.

 

The Chief Minister called the exhibition “an inspiring visual chronicle,” emphasizing its role in connecting the youth to India’s freedom struggle and the continuing inspiration of “Vande Mataram.” Among the dignitaries present were Member of Parliament Chintamani Maharaj, Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel, Principal Secretary Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary Dr. Rohit Yadav, Secretary Rahul Bhagat, Mukesh Bansal, P. Dayanand, Dr. Basavaraju S., and other senior officials and staff.