150 YEARS OF VANDE MATARAM

NEWS

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched special commemorative coins and postage stamps in New Delhi to mark 150 years of India’s national song, Vande Mataram.
• The event, held at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, marks the beginning of a year-long national celebration to honour the song’s legacy and its creator, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.

HIGHLIGHTS

Historical Significance

• Vande Mataram was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in Sanskrit-Bengali and first appeared in his 1882 novel Anandamath.
• The song symbolised resistance against British colonial rule, becoming a rallying cry during India’s freedom struggle.
• It inspired countless revolutionaries and was sung at nationalist gatherings across India.

 First Public Rendition

• Rabindranath Tagore gave the first public performance of Vande Mataram at the 1896 Indian National Congress session in Kolkata.
• His rendition transformed it into a unifying anthem of hope, freedom, and national pride.

National Recognition

• On January 24, 1950, the Constituent Assembly declared Vande Mataram as India’s National Song, to be accorded equal honour with Jana Gana Mana.
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad, then President of the Assembly, highlighted its emotional and cultural value in uniting the nation.

 150-Year Celebration Activities

• The nationwide programme includes:
  • Mass recitals of Vande Mataram in schools, colleges, and public institutions.
  • Cultural events showcasing the song’s historical and literary heritage.
  • Citizen participation in public gatherings and online campaigns honouring the song’s message of unity.
• The celebrations aim to reignite patriotic spirit and remind citizens of India’s collective identity rooted in freedom and cultural pride.

Contemporary Relevance

• PM Modi emphasised that Vande Mataram continues to embody India’s timeless patriotism and unity in diversity.
• The 150-year commemoration serves as a symbolic bridge between India’s past struggles and its modern aspirations, reaffirming commitment to constitutional values and national integration.