Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday addressed a special ceremony at Lok Bhawan, Lucknow, marking the 150th anniversary of the iconic national song Vande Mataram.
The event featured a powerful collective rendition of the song and a pledge to promote Swadeshi values, symbolizing India’s cultural pride and freedom-era spirit.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the unmatched development journey of Uttar Pradesh in the past eight years reflects the State’s unwavering commitment to duty and nation-building.
He noted that Vande Mataram has always inspired citizens to rise above personal interests and dedicate themselves to the nation’s progress.UP’s advancement over the past eight years is an expression of our duties,” he remarked.
“The song Vande Mataram instills deep dedication toward our responsibilities and played a crucial role in strengthening the mantra of India’s freedom movement. It continues to inspire a united and purposeful nation.”
He paid homage to Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the revered composer of Vande Mataram, calling the national song a “timeless spiritual and patriotic expression” that binds the country with reverence for the motherland.
Written in 1875, the song, he said, is not merely a hymn of independence but a force that amplified India’s yearning for freedom and instilled an unbreakable resolve in citizens during the struggle.
Though the song blends Sanskrit and Bengali expressions, it transformed into an eternal anthem of Bharat Mata, representing the collective soul of India,” the CM added.
The audience at Lok Bhawan also viewed the live telecast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in the commemorative programme organized by the Union Ministry of Culture.
CM Yogi visited a special exhibition displayed at the venue, showcasing the historical legacy and cultural significance of the patriotic masterpiece.
The Chief Minister further said that, during the freedom movement, whenever revolutionaries coined slogans or hoisted flags, Vande Mataram emerged as the sound of courage and unity.
Commemorations in Prayagraj
A similar commemorative function was also organized in Prayagraj, where public representatives, students, cultural groups, and citizens came together for a mass recitation of Vande Mataram.
The ceremony included patriotic renditions, a brief historical presentation on Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, and speeches by scholars highlighting the song’s deep influence on India’s collective consciousness.
Participants took a pledge to uphold national unity, cultural heritage, and constitutional duties, echoing the message delivered in Lucknow.
The event in Prayagraj concluded with school choirs performing patriotic songs, followed by a tribute to freedom fighters from the region who chanted Vande Mataram during India’s struggle for independence.
As the nation celebrates 150 years of this immortal composition, such programmes across Uttar Pradesh reaffirm the spirit of devotion to the motherland, duty-driven citizenship, and cultural pride.
#VandeMataram150 #YogiAdityanath #BankimChandraChattopadhyay #UPDevelopment #SwadeshiSpirit #NationFirst #CulturalHeritage #PrayagrajCelebration #IndiaPatriotism #AzadiKaGeet #DutiesAndNationBuilding