In a stirring ceremony in New Delhi, Narendra Modi inaugurated a year-long national commemoration marking 150 years of India’s national song, Vande Mataram. The event celebrated the enduring legacy of Bankimchandra Chatterji’s iconic composition, first published in 1875 in the literary journal Bangadarshan as part of his novel Anandamath. Modi declared the song a timeless mantra that embodies the spirit of Bharat, the eternal idea of India, and a source of inspiration that transcends generations.
Modi described Vande Mataram as more than a song—calling it an energy, a dream, and a solemn resolve. He emphasized its role in India’s freedom struggle, where it became the rallying cry of revolutionaries and a symbol of resistance against colonial rule. From the Calcutta Congress session in 1896 to the protests against Bengal’s partition in 1905, the song echoed across the nation. Modi recalled how freedom fighters, even in their final moments, invoked Vande Mataram as a declaration of defiance and devotion.
The Prime Minister released a commemorative coin and postage stamp to mark the occasion and hailed the mass singing of the full version of Vande Mataram across public spaces nationwide. He traced the song’s philosophical roots to the Vedic era, where the nation was revered as a mother—giver of birth, nurturer, and destroyer of evil. Modi interpreted the song’s verses as a tribute to India’s natural abundance and cultural resilience, noting that even during colonial oppression, Bankimchandra envisioned a prosperous, self-reliant India.
Modi warned against the divisive mindset that led to the fragmentation of Vande Mataram in 1937, calling it a historical injustice that sowed seeds of partition. He urged the younger generation to understand this legacy and remain vigilant against forces that seek to weaken national unity. He cited the episode from Anandamath where Bhavanand sings Vande Mataram to inspire courage, asserting that with 140 crore citizens and 280 crore hands, India is far from powerless.
The Prime Minister linked the spirit of Vande Mataram to India’s contemporary achievements—from becoming the fifth-largest economy to reaching the South Pole of the Moon. He celebrated the rise of women in fields like space technology and defense, and the decisive victories of India’s armed forces against terrorism and insurgency. Modi affirmed that every milestone in India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation by 2047 is accompanied by the spontaneous chant—Vande Mataram.
The event was attended by Gajendra Singh Shekawat, Vinai Kumar Saxena, Rekha Gupta, and other dignitaries. Modi concluded by expressing confidence that the mantra of Vande Mataram will continue to empower and inspire the people of India throughout the Amrit Kaal.
