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Across the whole country today, the nation’s collective voice rose in unison to sing 'Vande Mataram' on the 150th anniversary of the national song -- an anthem that once stirred a sleeping nation into awakening. In Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai joined senior officials and staff at the Mahanadi Bhawan Secretariat for a spirited group rendition of the song, as the air filled with echoes of patriotism and gratitude. The Chief Minister also participated virtually in the national ceremony held in New Delhi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation.

PM Modi, in his address, described Vande Mataram as “a stirring expression of the devotion of Mother India". He said that the collective singing of Vande Mataram creates “a rhythm, a resonance, and a harmony that touches the heart". The Prime Minister emphasised that the song’s essence lies in its invocation of Bharat Mata, representing the nation’s eternal identity, independent spirit, and cultural continuity.

“Vande Mataram was not merely a song during the freedom struggle; it was the battle cry of India’s awakening,” PM Modi said. “It inspired revolutionaries to break the chains of servitude and gave strength to dream of a free India. Within it resides the saga of our ancient civilization, our cultural richness, and our prosperity.”

Noting that the song’s power transcends time, he said: “It remains as relevant today as it was during the freedom movement -- a timeless anthem that continues to stir the nation’s soul.”

Extending greetings to the people of Chhattisgarh, the Chief Minister described Vande Mataram as a “symbol of boundless love, gratitude, and sacred duty toward the motherland". He said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the nation came together in one voice to pay homage to the motherland through the collective singing of Vande Mataram.

CM Sai observed that the yearlong commemoration, inaugurated by the Prime Minister on Friday, marks a “glorious milestone in the journey of this immortal creation".

He noted that the release of a commemorative coin dedicated to Vande Mataram adds a tangible memory to this historical moment.

Calling it “a poetic embodiment of India’s strength, prosperity, and divinity”, the Chief Minister reflected on its role in uniting generations around a shared sense of national pride and self-respect. He said: “This song is an awakening -- a call that has kept the lamp of unity and dignity alive across centuries.”

A song born of reverence and revolution

Chief Minister Sai recounted that Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay composed Vande Mataram on November 7, 1875, and later included it in his landmark novel 'Anandamath'.

“Conceived as a hymn to the motherland,” the Chief Minister said, “it became the most powerful inspiration of the freedom movement.” Countless revolutionaries, he recalled, “sacrificed their lives chanting Vande Mataram with a smile". He highlighted its pivotal role during the Swadeshi Movement of 1905, when the song emerged as the unifying cry against the partition of Bengal. “From north to south, east to west,” he said, “it became a mantra of cultural unity and patriotism.”

“When one hears Vande Mataram, the heart fills with energy, pride, and devotion. It reminds us that our soil, our water, our food, and our culture are the life-giving forces of our nation," said CM Sai.

He drew a striking cultural contrast: “In Europe, the land is called ‘Fatherland,’ but in India, we call it ‘Motherland.’ As the Ramayana says, Janani Janmabhoomishcha Swargadapi Gariyasi -- one’s mother and motherland are greater than heaven itself. Vande Mataram was born of that same eternal emotion.”

A Pledge for the Future: Dedicated to Bharat Mata and Chhattisgarh Mahatari

The Chief Minister said the initiative offers younger generations a profound opportunity to understand the struggles of the past and the role of Vande Mataram in shaping the country’s Independence movement.

He called upon citizens to take a renewed vow: to dedicate themselves to building a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) and Viksit Chhattisgarh, in devotion to Bharat Mata and Chhattisgarh Mahatari.

During the national ceremony, Prime Minister Modi released a commemorative coin and postal stamp marking the 150th anniversary and inaugurated the “Vande Bharat Portal” (vandematram150.in) -- a digital platform allowing citizens to record their own renditions of Vande Mataram and become part of this living heritage. “This initiative offers every Indian the chance to lend their voice to the country’s timeless legacy," he said.

An exhibition of memory and pride

In Raipur, Chief Minister Sai also inaugurated a photo exhibition at the Mahanadi Bhawan Secretariat dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. The exhibition traces the song’s journey from its creation by Chattopadhyay to its rise as the anthem of national consciousness.

Calling the exhibition “an inspiring visual chronicle", CM Sai said it illuminates untold stories from the country's freedom struggle and reflects its indomitable spirit. “Such exhibitions connect the youth with the deeper emotional and philosophical roots of India’s independence and the enduring inspiration of Vande Mataram," he remarked. In the echoes of Vande Mataram, the nation once again found its voice -- one of devotion, unity, and destiny.

Among those present during the occasion were Member of Parliament Chintamani Maharaj, Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary of the Department of Culture Dr Rohit Yadav, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rahul Bhagat, Mukesh Bansal, P Dayanand, and Dr Basavaraju S, along with other senior officials and staff.