150 years of 'Vande Mataram': 'No goal that can't be achieved,’ says PM Modi on courage instilled by song

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated year-long commemoration of ‘Vande Mataram' to mark 150 years of the national song. He also released a commemorative stamp and coin on the occasion at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium here.

The PM said the song is relevant in every era, adding that the phrase ‘Vande Mataram' "fills our present with self-confidence, gives courage that there is no goal that cannot be achieved". He added, “We mark 150 years of 'Vande Mataram' today. This will give us new inspiration, and fill people of the country with new energy.”

He said, "Vande Mataram became voice of India's freedom struggle, it expressed feelings of every Indian."

The programme will mark the formal launch of the year-long nationwide commemoration — from November 7, 2025 to November 7, 2026 — celebrating 150 years of the timeless composition that inspired India's freedom movement and continues to evoke national pride and unity.

The song was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterji on the occasion of Akshaya Navami, which fell on November 7 in 1875.

The song first appeared in the literary journal, "Bangadarshan", as part of Chatterji's novel, "Anandamath".