- Department of Posts launches yearlong celebrations to honour India’s national song that ignited the freedom struggle and continues to inspire unity and pride
- From postage stamps to nationwide mass singing and youth outreach, the campaign will echo the spirit of India’s motherland across every post office
NE BUSINESS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, NOV 7
Marking a moment of national pride, the Department of Posts has launched a series of commemorative events across India to celebrate 150 years of the iconic national song, ‘Vande Mataram’ — a timeless anthem that inspired generations during India’s freedom struggle and continues to kindle the spirit of unity, courage, and devotion.
At a special ceremony held at the Regional Office in Ahmedabad, Postmaster General of North Gujarat Region, Krishna Kumar Yadav, joined postal officials in collectively singing ‘Vande Mataram’, reflecting the shared emotion that binds the nation together through its melody and message.
Yadav said that ‘Vande Mataram’ is not just a song, but the heartbeat of India’s freedom movement. Written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee on 7 November 1875, the song was first published in his celebrated novel Anandamath. Composed in a harmonious blend of Sanskrit and Bengali, it portrayed the motherland as a divine force — strong, prosperous, and benevolent.
The song, he noted, was first sung by Rabindranath Tagore at the Indian National Congress session in Kolkata in 1896, and soon transcended linguistic and regional boundaries to become the anthem of India’s collective soul. On 24 January 1950, the Constituent Assembly officially adopted ‘Vande Mataram’ as the National Song of India, enshrining it forever in the country’s democratic spirit.
Yadav emphasized the Department of Posts’ historic role in spreading national pride through philately. He recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a commemorative stamp on 7 November 2025 to mark this 150-year milestone, adding to the Department’s rich legacy after it had earlier issued a ‘Vande Mataram’ postage stamp in 1976.
“Stamps are not just pieces of paper; they carry the emotions, heritage, and aspirations of a nation. Through this commemoration, we are connecting history with the youth and ensuring the essence of ‘Vande Mataram’ continues to inspire every Indian,” Yadav said.
To mark this historic year, the Department of Posts will organize nationwide programmes throughout 2025, including mass singing of ‘Vande Mataram’, quiz competitions, thematic exhibitions, seminars and workshops at schools, colleges, and universities, and the creation of philatelic materials and displays based on the ‘Vande Mataram’ theme.
The yearlong celebration aims to rekindle awareness about the song’s message of unity, cultural pride, and the indomitable spirit of India, ensuring that its resonance continues to inspire future generations.
“‘Vande Mataram’ is not just a melody of the past — it is the music of India’s eternal soul,” Yadav concluded.
