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Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that Vande Mataram is not just a song but the heartbeat, identity, and soul of India. He was addressing the gathering at the state-level celebration of the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, organized in Ambala on Friday. He expressed pride in participating in this historic event and congratulated the people of Haryana on completing 150 years of the song Vande Mataram. He said that the song symbolizes India’s eternal spirit, nationalism, and unity. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from New Delhi on the occasion of the inaugural ceremony commemorating 150 years of the National Song Vande Mataram. He also inaugurated a year-long commemoration of Vande Mataram by releasing a commemorative stamp and a coin. The live telecast of the Prime Minister’s address from New Delhi, was also shown during the state-level ceremony. The Chief Minister and other dignitaries listened to his inspiring message that celebrated the unity, sacrifice, and patriotism symbolized by Vande Mataram. Vande Mataram is the heartbeat of Bharat – CM Nayab Singh Saini said Vande Mataram is not merely a patriotic hymn but a rising force that infused new life into India’s struggle for freedom. It embodies the Sanatan vision that views the motherland as a divine mother. The song connects every Indian with the values of duty, dignity, discipline, and sacrifice. He added that the song became a clarion call of courage and self-respect, it shook the British Empire and awakened the spirit of revolution among the youth. The British feared this song because, though it was not a weapon, it possessed power millions of times greater than weapons, he said. The Chief Minister said that the essence of Vande Mataram lies in India’s nature and culture as it carries the murmur of our rivers, the greenery of our fields, and the pride of our land. It echoes in the austerity of Shivratri, in the joy of Baisakhi, in the colours of Holi, and in the lights of Diwali. It is also the sacred mantra of unity, he added. Tracing 150 Years of a National Awakening Recounting the song’s history, the Chief Minister said Vande Mataram was composed in 1875 by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, and its famous public recitation was done by Rabindranath Tagore in 1896 in Kolkata. By 1905, during the movement against the partition of Bengal, the poem had been set to the classical raga Desh Malhar and became a marching anthem of inspiration. During national protests, Vande Mataram emerged as a powerful medium of nationalism, unity, and resistance against British rule. Its impact was so strong that the British government banned singing it, shared Sh. Nayab Singh Saini. The Chief Minister said that the song united people of all castes, religions, communities, and regions in one spirit, strengthening the idea of “unity in diversity” and inspiring millions to join the freedom struggle. Ambala – The Land where the first spark of the 1857 uprising was ignited The Chief Minister recalled that the spark of the first war of independence in 1857 ignited from Ambala’s sacred soil. This land has not only written but lived the history of valour, he said, adding that the state government has built a Shaheedi Smarak in Ambala Cantonment in honour of those brave heroes. CM Condemns Opposition to the National Song The Chief Minister strongly criticized those who object to Vande Mataram. He said they fail to understand India’s culture, soul, and national pride. Recalling history, he shared that in 1923, during the Congress session in Kakinada, Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar was invited to sing Vande Mataram, but Congress President Maulana Mohammad Ali objected on religious grounds. Later, in 1937, the Congress Working Committee formally decided to replace the national song to appease the Muslim League leaders. Nayab Singh Saini said, even after independence, on several occasions, Congress and its leaders have displayed disagreement with Vande Mataram. He cited recent examples, in 2017, AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi demanded the withdrawal of a circular mandating the singing of Vande Mataram in schools. In Telangana, the Congress government recently declared that singing the song would not be compulsory, and in 2019, the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh banned Vande Mataram in the state secretariat, he said. These people must understand that Vande Mataram is not a controversy, it is the sacred offering of Mother India. It is the song of those who walk the path of patriotism, not appeasement. Vande Mataram is our identity, asserted the Chief Minister. A Song that Awakened a Nation The Chief Minister said Vande Mataram awakened India’s self-respect and transformed the freedom struggle into a mass movement. Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Chandrashekhar Azad, and thousands of martyrs went to the gallows singing this song. Lakhs of freedom fighters endured torture in prisons chanting it, and the caravan of freedom moved forward, he said. Nayab Singh Saini further added that during the Quit India Movement of 1942 led by Mahatma Gandhi, Vande Mataram was the mantra of patriotism and freedom. Slogans like Vande Mataram, Inquilab Zindabad, and Jai Hind echoed across the nation, inspiring Indians to resist British oppression until independence was achieved on August 15, 1947. Vande Mataram – Declared National Song in 1950 The Chief Minister recalled that after independence, India’s first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad accorded Vande Mataram the status of the National Song in 1950. He said that a nation’s progress depends on the love of its people for their motherland. He emphasized that the essence of Vande Mataram remains as relevant today as during the freedom movement. To strengthen the spirit of unity and integrity, we must keep the flame of Vande Mataram forever burning, he said. Five Pledges for Every Citizen On this historic occasion, the Chief Minister urged every citizen of Haryana to take five pledges to give true meaning to the 150-year journey of Vande Mataram. He said the first pledge should be “Nation First”, placing the country above all in every action. The second pledge is “No Appeasement”, emphasizing a firm commitment to inclusive and balanced development. The third pledge calls for “Justice and Opportunity for All”, ensuring respect, equality, and dignity for the last person in society. The fourth pledge focuses on “Swadeshi and Innovation”, encouraging a rapid journey toward self-reliance and indigenous creativity. The fifth and final pledge is “Zero Tolerance for Anti-National Forces”, reaffirming an unwavering stand against any element that threatens national unity and integrity. He said that when these five pledges become part of every citizen’s life, the 150-year journey of Vande Mataram will achieve its complete and true purpose. Notably, the Chief Minister also administered a ‘swadeshi’ pledge to the attendees. He also visited an exhibition set up by the Information, Public Relations, Language and Culture Department related to the song Vande Mataram during the programme. Pledge to Build a Developed Nation Nayab Singh Saini called upon everyone to take a pledge to make India a developed nation under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. Extending greetings once again on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, the Chief Minister paid homage to all known and unknown heroes who sacrificed their lives for India’s freedom and its protection. Vande Mataram is the soul of our nation, our pride, our identity, he said. Pt. Subhash Ghosh Mesmerizes Audience with Soulful Rendition of Vande Mataram During the function, renowned Indian classical musician Pt. Subhash Ghosh mesmerized the audience with his soulful rendition of the iconic song Vande Mataram. His melodious performance filled the venue with patriotic fervor and emotional resonance. Adding to the spirit of the occasion, the Haryana Police also sang a series of patriotic songs, energizing the atmosphere with their powerful music. School students further enhanced the celebration with their vibrant patriotic performances, expressing love and pride for the nation through inspiring songs and dances. On this occasion, BJP State Vice President Banto Kataria, Deputy Commissioner Ambala, Ajay Singh Tomer, Additional Director (Administration), Information, Public Relations, Language and Culture Department, Smt. Varsha Khangwal and other dignitaries were also present. ‘Vande Mataram’ Completes 150 Years Chief Secretary Rastogi Calls It the Soul of India’s National Character The 150th anniversary of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ was commemorated with dignity and patriotic fervor across Haryana today. Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi graced the event at the Haryana Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh as the chief guest, highlighting the song’s enduring significance for the nation. In his address, Rastogi reflected on India’s struggle for independence, stating that immense pain was endured under foreign rule, and that the first fight for freedom in 1857 ignited a spirit that ‘Vande Mataram’ helped nurture into a national movement. He emphasized that music and songs have long been a part of India’s cultural tradition, with ‘Vande Mataram’ remaining a beacon of patriotic inspiration. The Chief Secretary remarked that this immortal song gave voice to national consciousness, united people against oppression, and shaped the freedom struggle. Rastogi further stated that ‘Vande Mataram’ is not just a song—it is the soul of India’s national character and an act of devotion to Mother India. He urged officials and citizens to remember the country’s glorious history and invaluable heritage, and to follow the ideals put forth by great leaders and freedom fighters. The event also featured an exhibition dedicated to Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, the author of ‘Vande Mataram’, showcasing milestones from his life. Chief Secretary encouraged all in attendance to visit the exhibition and draw inspiration. He led the collective singing of the national song in Hindi, along with school children who performed stirring renditions of patriotic songs. The program began with the Chief Secretary and senior officers lighting a ceremonial lamp and offering flowers to Bharat Mata. Officers , employees, and CISF officers joined in the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ and also performed the state song ‘Jai Jai Jai Haryana’ to mark the occasion. Director General of Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, K. Makarand Pandurang, welcomed the Chief Secretary and presented him with a commemorative picture of ‘Vande Mataram’. Additional Chief Secretary of Home Department, Dr. Sumita Mishra, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Sudhir Rajpal, Additional Chief Secretary, Cooperation Department, Vijayendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Town and Country Planning Department, Apoorv Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Arun Gupta, Director General of Police, O.P. Singh, Principal Secretary, Energy Department, Shyamal Mishra, Commissioner and Secretary, Housing for All Department, Mohammad Shayin, Commissioner and Secretary, Information, Public Relations, Language and Culture Department, Dr. Amit Kumar Agrawal, Commissioner and Secretary, Finance Department, Rajnikanthan, Commissioner and Secretary, Human Resources Department, P.C. Meena, Principal Secretary, Sports Department, Navdeep Singh Virk, Principal Secretary, Heritage and Tourism Department, Kala Ramachandran, Special Secretary, Personnel, Training and Parliamentary Affairs Department, Dr. Aditya Dahiya, Director, Women and Child Development Department, Mrs. Priyanka Soni, Additional Secretary, Secretariat Establishment, Samvartak Singh Khangwal, along with Haryana Civil Secretariat employees and CISF officers and jawans were also present.
