Students across Odisha will sing ‘Vande Mataram’ on November 7 as part of a nationwide celebration marking 150 years of the iconic patriotic song.
The Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department has issued a directive to the School & Mass Education and Higher Education Departments, urging all educational institutions to organize the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ on campus. The initiative aims to connect students and youth with the song’s original spirit of patriotism and revolution.
On October 1, the Union Cabinet approved year-long celebrations to commemorate the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’. The campaign seeks to honor the song’s legacy and preserve its message for future generations.
Composed in Sanskrit by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in the 1870s, ‘Vande Mataram’ was first published in his Bengali novel ‘Anandamath’ in 1882. The title translates to “I praise thee, Mother,” symbolizing devotion to the motherland.
The song gained prominence when Rabindranath Tagore sang it at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress. By 1905, it had become a powerful anthem for freedom fighters during the independence movement.
Odisha’s participation in the celebration reflects a broader national effort to revive historical pride and cultural unity. Schools and colleges across the state are expected to hold special assemblies and singing sessions to mark the occasion.
The event reinforces the enduring relevance of ‘Vande Mataram’ and its role in shaping India’s identity.
