KARGIL: Ladakh union territory celebrated the 150th Anniversary of Vande Mataram on Friday with great enthusiasm and patriotic fervour, and launch of Year-long commemoration of National Song.
In Leh, year-long commemoration of Vande Mataram was launched at Sindhu Ghat, Shey Leh, marking 150 years of the iconic patriotic song “Vande Mataram” composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875.
The celebration aims to honour the historical, cultural, and emotional significance of Vande Mataram, a song that has inspired generations with its message of unity, patriotism, and devotion to the motherland.
The year-long observance of Vande Mataram underscores the UT Administration’s commitment to promoting national integration, preserving cultural heritage, and upholding the values of unity and patriotism.
As part of the initiative, a mass singing event was performed by various school students along with the police band. These activities aim to foster greater awareness of the legacy of “Vande Mataram,” and encourage wider public participation across Ladakh.
Today’s event was conceptualised by the Department of Tourism & Culture, UT Ladakh, under the guidance of Administrative Secretary Sanjit Rodrigues in line with the mandate and guidelines of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
In Kargil, District Administration celebrated the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram with great enthusiasm and patriotic fervour.
The event was organized in line with instructions of the Union Home Ministry conveyed by the General Administration Department, UT Ladakh.
On the occasion, Chairman, CEC, LAHDC Kargil; Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon; Member of Parliament, Ladakh, Mohmad Haneefa Jan; Director, Rural Development Department, Ladakh, Syed Sajad Qadri; Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, Imteeaz Kacho; Chairman, Hajj Committee, Ladakh, Mohammad Ali Majaz along with District Officers, Principal of GDC-Kargil, teaching staff; CRPF Officers, college students and students of various Government schools.
Students of Government High School Minjee beautifully rendered the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ followed by a collective recitation by all attendees at the venue with patriotic spirit.
The event was organized by the District Administration in the complex of Tourist Facilitation Centre (TFC) on the bank of Suru River.
All Departments put in their best efforts by pooling in their resources to make the first day of the year-long celebrations a grand success. It was informed that similar events will be held in all Sub-Divisions of Kargil, in District Offices as well as in educational institutions across the District.
While speaking to media persons, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon expressed pride in India’s unity in diversity, stating that “there is no country like India, where people of all religions live together in brotherhood, enjoying equal rights and freedom of expression. The true essence of democracy has flourished since independence.”
He urged everyone to work collectively towards making the Union Territory of Ladakh a model region of progress and harmony and lauded the beauty and spirit of India embodied in the song Vande Mataram. The event was hosted by Dr. Anwar Ali Tsarpa, AIO, DIPR Kargil, who also presented a brief background and meaning of Vande Mataram in Urdu highlighting its historical and cultural significance.
