PM Modi Inaugurates Year-long Celebration of 150th Anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’ at Indira Gandhi Stadium

New Delhi (India) November 7: The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi delivered his address at the inauguration of the year long celebration of 150th Birth Anniversary of National Song Vande Mataram.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Modi said that Vande Mataram is not just a word, it is a power (Shakti), it is a dream and it is this resolve which sublimates our soul. He pointed out that Vande Mataram represents the spirit and spiritual dedication to Maa Bharati. The Prime Minister said this one word links us to our past, fills our present with confidence and sets the stage for our future to have the courage to know that no resolve is beyond resolution and no dream too big.

‘Vande Mataram’ — The Power That Unites the Nation, Says PM Modi

Shri Modi said that if Vande Mataram is sung in unison, the experience is such that words will fail to capture its beauty and it is true bliss as so many voices became one rhythm; one tone; one thrill and a single flow. He talked about these harmonics and harmonic waves that could charge your heart with energy. The Prime Minister said 7th November is a historic day when countrymen are celebrating 150 years of Vande Mataram. He reiterated that this hallowed day will provide us new inspiration and more vigour to our countrymen. 

Commemorative Coin and Stamp Released to Mark 150 Years of the National Song

To make memorable this day in the annals of history a Special Commemorative Coin and postage stamp on Vande Mataram was also launched. Mr Modi paid tributes to all the freedom fighters and martyrs of India who sacrificed their lives for Maa Bharati.He congratulated all present on this occasion and extended his best wishes to every citizen on observance of 150 years of Vande Mataram.

The PM said that this has been India’s nature for thousands of years, the rivers, mountains, forests, trees and the fertile soil has always had it in them to provide abundant yields. One has for centuries heard tales of the wealth of India. Not so long ago, India represented almost a quarter of global GDP. But, he said, when Bankim Babu wrote Vande Mataram, India was far beyond that golden period. 

Modi Recalls Bankim Chandra’s Vision of Restoring India’s Golden Age

After over a century of foreign invasion, pillage and exploitative colonial policies, the country was in plight with poverty and famine. But Bankim Babu had spoken about the dreamy image of an abundant India, carried by his belief that no matter how drastic the troubles might be in form, India still had a chance to restore her golden age. And so he issued the clarion call —Vande Mataram.

The prime minister said, for certain people, who consider the nation as a mere territory and entity existing on the world map, how can one even dare to think that nation as the motherland? But India is different. In India, the mother is the giver of life and she is nurturer but when her children are troubled she becomes destroyer.