India (Commonwealth Union)_ Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged citizens to commemorate the 150th anniversary of India’s national song, Vande Mataram, by embracing the values it represents and passing them on to future generations. Speaking in his monthly radio program, Mann Ki Baat, the prime minister described the song as a vivid reflection of India’s spirit and a source of national pride. “The very first words of Vande Mataram awaken deep emotions in all of us. It captures the warmth of our motherland and reminds us of our responsibilities as her children,” he said.
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PM Modi highlighted how the song has long served as a unifying force. “In moments of difficulty, chanting Vande Mataram fills every Indian with energy and unity. It gives voice to the love and patriotism we feel for our country,” he explained. Tracing its origins, the Prime Minister noted that Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay composed Vande Mataram in the 19th century to inspire a nation weakened by years of foreign rule. “Although written centuries ago, its message connects with India’s timeless consciousness and enduring spirit,” he added.
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Modi also linked the song’s themes to India’s ancient cultural and spiritual heritage. “Just as the Vedas laid the foundation of Indian civilization, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay captured the bond between the motherland and her children in Vande Mataram, turning it into a powerful emotional mantra,” PM Modi said. The Prime Minister reminded citizens that the 150th year of Vande Mataram will be celebrated on November 7. He encouraged everyone to participate enthusiastically in events organized nationwide and to ensure the legacy of the song continues to inspire generations to come.
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Mann Ki Baat, launched on October 3, 2014, is broadcast on the last Sunday of every month. It enables the prime minister to engage with citizens on key issues and initiatives, connecting with people from diverse backgrounds across India, including women, young people, and the elderly. The government has announced several events to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the song, which was first written in Sanskrit by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in the 1870s. Vande Mataram swiftly became a hymn of courage and solidarity, inspiring millions of Indians during the war for independence.
With its lyrical exaltation of the country, the song ranks beside the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana. It initially appeared in Chattopadhyay’s 1882 novel Anandamath, set during the Sannyasi Rebellion. Vande Mataram evolved as a powerful expression of India’s identity and pride during a period when the British wanted to promote God Save Our Queen as the national anthem. Rabindranath Tagore performed the song at the Indian National Congress session in Calcutta in 1896, cementing its status as a symbol of India’s awakening. Its remarks, extolling the land’s wealth and beauty, struck a deep chord with people all around the country. Later, the revolutionary thinker Aurobindo Ghose translated it into English, further extending the message.
In 1950, India’s Constituent Assembly formally adopted Vande Mataram as the national hymn, with President Dr. Rajendra Prasad emphasizing its significance in the liberation movement and the necessity to remember it alongside the national anthem. Recognizing its historical significance, the Union Cabinet decided on October 1 that the country would commemorate the song’s 150th anniversary. On the same day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Indians to take an active role in commemorating this historic occasion, which honors a song that has inspired generations and continues to unite India.
