Across India, voices rose together today as the nation marked the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, the national song that once roused a sleeping nation to freedom. In Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai led officials and staff at the Mahanadi Bhawan Secretariat in a spirited rendition, echoing with patriotism and pride. The Chief Minister also joined the national ceremony virtually, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from New Delhi.
Prime Minister Modi described Vande Mataram as “a stirring expression of the devotion of Mother India,” adding that its collective singing creates “a rhythm, a resonance, and a harmony that touches the heart.”
“Vande Mataram was not merely a song during the freedom struggle; it was the battle cry of India’s awakening,” Modi said, recalling how it inspired revolutionaries to dream of a free India. He emphasized that its message of strength and unity remains timeless.
Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai: ‘A Symbol of Boundless Love for the Motherland’
Extending greetings to the people of Chhattisgarh, CM Vishnu Deo Sai said Vande Mataram represents “boundless love, gratitude, and sacred duty toward the motherland.” He praised the Prime Minister’s leadership in uniting the country through this collective homage to Bharat Mata.
Calling the commemoration “a glorious milestone,” Sai highlighted the release of a commemorative coin as a lasting memory of this historic occasion.
The Chief Minister recounted that Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay composed Vande Mataram on November 7, 1875, later including it in his novel Anandamath.
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“Conceived as a hymn to the motherland, it became the most powerful inspiration of the freedom movement,” he said. During the 1905 Swadeshi Movement, it became a rallying cry against the partition of Bengal and a symbol of cultural unity.
He added, “When one hears Vande Mataram, the heart fills with energy and pride. It reminds us that our soil, our water, our food, and our culture are the life-giving forces of our nation.”
Pledge for the Future: Devotion to Bharat Mata and Chhattisgarh Mahatari
CM Sai urged citizens to dedicate themselves to building a Viksit Bharat and Viksit Chhattisgarh, linking the past’s inspiration to the nation’s vision for the future.
At the national event, PM Modi unveiled a commemorative coin, a postal stamp, and launched the Vande Bharat Portal (vandematram150.in), where citizens can upload their renditions of Vande Mataram and become part of this “living heritage.”
In Raipur, CM Vishnu Deo Sai inaugurated a photo exhibition at the Mahanadi Bhawan Secretariat showcasing Vande Mataram’s journey — from its creation by Bankim Chandra to its rise as India’s anthem of awakening.
Calling it “an inspiring visual chronicle,” he said the exhibition connects youth to the emotional and philosophical roots of India’s independence.
Among those present were MP Chintamani Maharaj, Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel, and senior officials including Subodh Kumar Singh, Dr. Rohit Yadav, Rahul Bhagat, Mukesh Bansal, P. Dayanand, and Dr. Basavaraju S.
