Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the year-long celebration of the National Song “Vande Mataram” at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. He also unveiled a commemorative stamp, coin, and a dedicated portal marking the 150th anniversary of the song. The event featured mass singing of the full version of “Vande Mataram” across the country, with citizens from all walks of life participating alongside the main ceremony. PM Modi himself joined in the rendition at the stadium.

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Saxena, and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta were present at the event. The programme officially launched a nationwide commemoration that will run from November 7, 2025, to November 7, 2026, celebrating 150 years of the patriotic composition that fueled India’s freedom struggle and continues to inspire national pride.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, “Vande Mataram” was written by Bankimchandra Chatterji on November 7, 1875, during Akshaya Navami and first appeared in his novel Anandamath in the journal Bangadarshan. The song portrays the Motherland as a symbol of strength, prosperity, and divinity, and became a rallying cry for unity and self-respect during India’s awakening.

Earlier, on October 1, the Union Cabinet approved nationwide celebrations to mark the song’s 150th year, aiming to engage citizens, especially youth and students, with its original spirit of patriotism. The Bharatiya Janata Party has also planned extensive observances for two key milestones — the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram and the 150th birth anniversary of tribal hero Bhagwan Birsa Munda.