To mark the 150th anniversary of the national song “Vande Mataram,” a special event titled “Vande Mataram@150 and Swadeshi Sankalp Programme” was organized at the State Secretariat premises on Monday. Filled with patriotic fervor and the spirit of self-reliance, the event was graced by Chief Secretary Shri Sudhansh Pant as the Chief Guest.
The programme began with an inspiring address by Chief Secretary Shri Sudhansh Pant. He said that celebrating 150 years of Vande Mataram is a moment of immense pride and honor. Written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and composed by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, Vande Mataram was first sung publicly in 1896, and since then, it has become a symbol of India’s freedom movement.
He further stated that over the last 150 years, Vande Mataram has continuously inspired India’s cultural, spiritual, and nationalistic consciousness. To commemorate this milestone, the Government of India has launched a national remembrance initiative to rekindle the song’s emotional and historical significance. Through nationwide celebrations, especially involving youth and students, citizens will be connected to the song’s core national spirit.
Following the Chief Secretary’s address, a collective singing session was held at the Secretariat under the theme “One Place, One Time, One Song – Vande Mataram.” All officials, employees, and attendees joined together to sing Vande Mataram in unison. Afterwards, the Chief Secretary administered the Swadeshi Pledge, urging everyone to use local products, prioritize Indian goods, and contribute to environmental conservation.
Senior officials, principal secretaries, department heads, officers, and employees from various departments attended the event. Notably, as part of the “Vande Mataram @150” series, similar programmes featuring Swadeshi Pledge and Vande Mataram singing will be organized in the coming days at municipal bodies, Panchayati Raj institutions, educational institutes, hospitals, and police stations across the state.
