Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday inaugurated a programme at the Lok Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar to mark the 150th anniversary of the national song, Vande Mataram, penned by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
Addressing the gathering, CM Majhi emphasised that Vande Mataram is far more than just a musical composition; it is a “symbol of patriotism, sacrifices and valour” of the country.
Participating in the state-level inauguration event of the year-long programme for the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the national song, CM Majhi said the then British administration had banned ‘Vande Mataram’ as it became a powerful tool for the freedom struggle.
“Vande Mataram is not just a song; it is a symbol of patriotism, sacrifice, and valour. Originating from Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novel ‘Anand Math’, this song inspired awakening, enthusiasm, and a revolutionary spirit among the people of the country during the freedom struggle movement.”
ଆଜି ଲୋକସେବା ଭବନ ପ୍ରାଙ୍ଗଣରେ ଭାରତର ରାଷ୍ଟ୍ରୀୟ ଗୀତ ‘ବନ୍ଦେ ମାତରମ୍’ ର ୧୫୦ ବର୍ଷ ପୂର୍ତ୍ତି ଉତ୍ସବ ଅବସରରେ ଯୋଗଦେଇ ସାମୂହିକ 'ବନ୍ଦେ ମାତରମ୍' ଗାନରେ ଅଂଶଗ୍ରହଣ କଲି।
ପ୍ରଧାନମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ ନରେନ୍ଦ୍ର ମୋଦୀଙ୍କ ଆହ୍ୱାନ କ୍ରମେ, ଆଜିଠାରୁ 'ବନ୍ଦେ ମାତରମ୍'ର ୧୫୦ ବର୍ଷ ପୂର୍ତ୍ତି ପାଳନର ବର୍ଷବ୍ୟାପୀ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମ ଆରମ୍ଭ… pic.twitter.com/45L60L69Uf
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) November 7, 2025
He also extended heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to every citizen of the country on this historic occasion.
“It is indeed a moment of fortune and pride that 150 years ago, on November 7, 1875, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay composed ‘Vande Mataram’ — a song that became the spirit of India’s freedom movement,” CM Majhi added.
The Chief Minister participated in a collective singing of the national song, which was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Delhi.
“Vande Mataram rekindles the fire of patriotism in our hearts. This year-long celebration is very important to instil patriotism among the youth, children and students,” he said.
The CM said that over the next one year, collective singing of the song, cultural events and awareness programs will be held in all districts, at schools, colleges, and government and private organisations.
He said that the year-long observation of various programmes commemorating ‘Vande Mataram’, is extremely important to instil patriotism among the youth, children and students.
Senior state officials, including Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja and Development Commissioner Anu Garg, were present at the event. All departmental secretaries and state employees were also preent a the programme, where students of Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya performed the song.
