New Delhi, Nov 7: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday highlighted the enduring significance of India’s national song, Vande Mataram, saying it continues to ignite the eternal flame of nationalism and serves as a source of unity, patriotism, and inspiration among the youth.
Marking the 150th anniversary of the creation of Vande Mataram, Shah noted in a message on X that the song is “not merely a collection of words, it is the voice of India’s soul.” The year-long commemoration will run from November 7, 2025, to November 7, 2026.
“Against the English regime, Vande Mataram united the nation and strengthened the consciousness of freedom. It awakened in revolutionaries an unwavering dedication, pride, and spirit of sacrifice for the motherland,” he said.
Shah urged citizens to commemorate the national song by singing its full version with family members, ensuring it remains a source of inspiration for future generations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the year long celebrations at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on Friday, releasing a commemorative stamp and coin to mark the occasion. The event will formally launch nationwide commemorations of the song that inspired India’s freedom movement and continues to evoke national pride.
Composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Vande Mataram was first published in the literary journal Bangadarshan on November 7, 1875. It was later incorporated into Chatterjee’s novel Anandamath in 1882 and set to music by Rabindranath Tagore. The song has since become an integral part of India’s civilisational, political, and cultural identity, according to a government statement.