Page 13 - NIS English 01-15 December, 2025
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150 Years of Vande Mataram | NATION
This is how Vande Mataram
became the national song
Vande Mataram, India’s national song...This
composition, as an immortal national song, has
inspired countless generations of freedom fighters and equal participation of both men and
nation-builders. It is an enduring symbol of national women. PM Modi says that this vision
identity and collective spirit. ‘Vande Mataram’ was first has enabled India to once again dream
published in the literary magazine Bangadarshan on of a nation in which Nari Shakti is at the
November 7, 1875. Later, its author, Bankim Chandra forefront of nation-building.
Chatterjee, included it in his novel ‘Anandamath.’ Quoting the lines from Bankim
Rabindranath Tagore set music to it. On January 24, Chandra Chattopadhyay’s original song:
1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad made a statement in the “Tvam hi Durga, the bearer of the tenth-
Constituent Assembly: “The composition consisting fold grace, the lotus-lead, the devotee of
of words and music entitled ‘Jana Gana Mana’ is the knowledge, the giver of lotus petals, the
national anthem of India, subject to such alterations giver of knowledge, the giver of prosper-
in the words as the Government may authorise as ity, Lakshmi, and Durga, the bearer of
occasion arises; and the song Vande Mataram, which
has played a historic part in the struggle for Indian weapons and scriptures.” PM Modi em-
freedom, shall be honoured equally with Jana Gana phasized that Maa Bharati is also Saras-
Mana and shall have equal status with it. I hope this will wati, the giver of knowledge, Lakshmi,
satisfy the Members.” His statement was adopted, and the giver of prosperity, and Durga, the
Rabindranath Tagore’s Jana Gana Mana was adopted as bearer of weapons and scriptures. We
the national anthem of independent India, and Bankim must build a nation that excels in knowl-
Chandra’s Vande Mataram as the national song. edge, science, and technology, that is at
the pinnacle of prosperity through the
power of knowledge and science, and
that is self-reliant for national security.
November 7th also marked the 11th
anniversary of the implementation of
Vande Mataram, besides being the song One Rank One Pension for army person-
of the martyrs of the freedom movement, nel. When our armies thwart the
serves as a source of eternal inspiration. enemy’s evil intentions, when
It not only reminds us how we achieved terrorism, Naxalism, and
Maoist terror are crushed,
independence but also tells us how we must the country’s security
protect it. Whenever the national flag is forces are inspired by
hoisted, these words spontaneously a single mantra: Vande
rise from our hearts: Mataram. n
Bharat Mata ki Jai! Vande Mataram! Scan the QR code
to watch the Prime
Minister’s full
- Narendra Modi, Prime Minister programme.
December 1-15, 2025 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 11
