Historic Vande Mataram Celebration Marks 150 Years
In a powerful tribute to India's rich cultural heritage, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma led a massive public rendition of Vande Mataram at Janata Bhavan in Guwahati on Friday. The special event commemorated the 150th anniversary of the national song that played a pivotal role in India's freedom struggle.
Emotional Homage to National Spirit
Addressing the gathered crowd, Chief Minister Sarma described the occasion as "a moment of immense pride for every Indian." He expressed deep reverence for the composition that once awakened the spirit of freedom across the nation. "With reverence in our hearts, we come together to honour that sacred song which once awakened a dormant nation, filled it with courage and sowed in every heart the indomitable dream of freedom," Sarma stated emotionally.
Tracing the Historical Journey
The Chief Minister detailed the fascinating history of Vande Mataram, recalling that Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay originally penned the song on November 7, 1875 - which coincided with the auspicious day of Akshaya Navami. Sarma emphasized that Bankim Chandra didn't merely write a poem but invoked the divine spirit of the Motherland, envisioning Bharat Mata as a sacred force nurturing her children with courage, wisdom and prosperity.
Sarma recounted significant historical moments, including how Rabindranath Tagore first sang Vande Mataram at the 1896 session of Indian National Congress in Calcutta. The song later became the anthem of Swadeshi movement during the 1905 partition of Bengal, inspiring millions to boycott foreign goods, revive indigenous industries and reclaim India's pride.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the British government's attempts to suppress the song by banning it in schools and public meetings. "Truth, ideals and patriotism can never be suppressed," Sarma declared, paying tribute to revolutionaries including Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal, Bhagat Singh and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose who carried Vande Mataram's flame through the freedom struggle.
Nationwide Celebrations Launched
In a significant announcement, Sarma revealed that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the Union cabinet has initiated a year-long nationwide celebration titled Vande Mataram@150. The campaign will continue until November 7, 2026 and include mass recitations, musical performances, police band renditions and educational events across all states, union territories and districts.
"Today's celebration is not just about remembering the past, it is a day to renew our pledge," Sarma emphasized. He concluded by reaffirming the commitment to building a strong, self-reliant and progressive Assam that stands as a confident partner in India's journey towards Atmanirbhar Bharat.
