Army commemorates 150 years of 'Vande Mataram'

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the iconic national song ‘Vande Mataram’, Army Training Command of the Indian Army (ARTRAC) headquarters organised a grand mass recital at The Ridge, Shimla.

The event celebrated the song’s profound role in India’s freedom movement and reaffirmed its message of national unity. Vande Mataram, which translates to “Mother, I Bow to thee” was composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and was first published in the literary journal Bangadarshan on November 7, 1875.

An ARTRAC spokesperson said the development of the poetic composition to a national song exemplifies India’s collective awakening against colonial dominance. The song ‘Vande Mataram’ became the emblem of India’s struggle for independence, encapsulating the collective aspiration for self-governance and the emotional connection between the populace and their homeland.