CM Dr. Sarma attends 150th anniversary celebration of the National Song, joins mass rendition of Vande Mataram

CM Dr. Sarma attends 150th anniversary celebration of the National Song, joins mass rendition of Vande Mataram

‘Vande Mataram’ is not just a song but a divine invocation that once awakened a dormant nation: CM

CM calls to adopt ‘Atmanirbhar Assam’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ as national pledges to revive the Swadeshi spirit

DD TIMES Dispur, November 7: Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma today joined the mass rendition of Vande Mataram held at Janata Bhawan to mark the 150th anniversary of India’s National Song. The rendition was performed in its original form, paying homage to the timeless composition that continues to stir patriotic fervour across generations.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram is a moment of immense pride for every Indian. “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,” he said.

Recalling the origins of the song, Dr. Sarma said that Vande Mataram was composed by the eminent writer Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay on November 7, 1875, on the auspicious day of Akshaya Navami exactly 150 years ago. “Bankim Chandra did not merely write a poem; he invoked the divine spirit of the Motherland, envisioning Bharat Mata as a sacred force nurturing her children with courage, wisdom and prosperity,” the Chief Minister said. He added that in the darkest days of colonial rule, Vande Mataram lit the lamp of hope in the nation’s heart.

It became a call for awakening, freedom and self-respect.

The Chief Minister also recalled how Rabindranath Tagore first sang Vande Mataram at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress in Calcutta, filling the gathering with devotion and patriotic fervour. By the time of the 1905 partition of Bengal, the song had become the anthem of the Swadeshi movement, inspiring millions to boycott foreign goods, revive indigenous industries and reclaim India’s pride, he said.

Dr. Sarma said that realizing its power, the British authorities banned the song in schools and public meetings, yet its spirit could not be silenced. “Truth, ideals and patriotism can never be suppressed,” Dr. Sarma remarked, paying tribute to revolutionaries like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal, Bhagat Singh and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, who carried forward the flame of Vande Mataram until Independence. As a tribute to that enduring spirit, India’s first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad accorded Vande Mataram the status of the National Song in 1950, Dr. Sarma said.

The Chief Minister noted that while the original song has six stanzas, only the first two are widely sung and recognized today. On this historic occasion, he urged everyone to make efforts to render the complete version in its original form. “Each word of the song, ‘Sujalam, Suphalam, Malayaja Sheetalam’ celebrates the sacred beauty and grace of our land,” he said. “It reminds us that Bharat is not just a country but a living Mother who nurtures her children with love, tolerance and strength.”

The Chief Minister informed that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet has decided to hold a year-long nationwide celebration titled ‘Vande Mataram@150’, which will continue till November 7, 2026. During this period, mass recitations, music performances, police band renditions and educational events will be organized 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,” Dr. Sarma said. “We reaffirm our commitment to building a strong, self-reliant and progressive Assam that stands as a confident partner in India’s journey towards Atmanirbhar Bharat.”

He noted that Assam has made remarkable progress in most of the priority sectors identified by the Prime Minister in his vision for Atmanirbhar Bharat and highlighted the advancements made in sectors like hydrocarbon, semiconductor and energy. “Our forefathers, with Vande Mataram on their lips, freed the Motherland from bondage.

We must now channel that same courage and determination to strengthen our economy,” the Chief Minister said, calling upon every household, marketplace and institution to revive the Swadeshi spirit.

He urged the people to adopt Atmanirbhar Assam and Atmanirbhar Bharat as national pledges. “We must not stop at being ‘Vocal for Local’. Our goal should be to be ‘Local for Global’, where products made in India earn pride of place in global markets,” he added.

Reflecting on the journey of Vande Mataram through history, Dr. Sarma said there was a time when All India Radio had even restricted its broadcast. Renowned singer Master Krishnarao protested this decision and refused to sing for the station until Vande Mataram was reinstated in 1947. “Even today, despite occasional opposition from some quarters, Vande Mataram continues to transcend barriers, standing as an eternal symbol of unity and harmony. It reminds us that despite differences in language, faith or region, we are all children of the same Mother,” he said.

The Chief Minister called upon the people of Assam to sing Vande Mataram in unison and rededicate themselves to safeguarding the nation’s unity and integrity, upholding the ideals of freedom, truth and justice, and embracing the Swadeshi spirit as a lifelong commitment.

The event was attended by Minister for General Administration Department Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Minister for Public Health Engineering Jayanta Malla Baruah, Transport Minister Charan Boro, Chief Secretary Dr. Ravi Kota, Additional Chief Secretaries Ajoy Tiwari and B. Kalyan Chakravarty, Commissioner & Secretary of GAD M.S. Manivannan, along with a large number of government officers and staff.