NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the year-long commemoration of India’s National Song, ‘Vande Mataram,’ at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on Friday. The event will also see the release of a special commemorative stamp and coin.
The programme marks the beginning of a nationwide celebration running from November 7, 2025, to November 7, 2026, honouring 150 years of the iconic song that stirred the spirit of India’s freedom movement and continues to symbolize unity and national pride.
Modi will inaugurate the year-long commemoration of the National Song, “Vande Mataram”, at around 9:30 am on Friday at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi, a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
The prime minister will also release a commemorative stamp and coin on the occasion, it added.
“The celebrations will witness Mass Singing of the full version of ‘Vande Mataram’ at around 9:50 AM across public places with participation of citizens across all segments of society, in conjunction with the main programme,” the statement said.
The year marks 150 years since “Vande Mataram” was composed.
“Vande Mataram” was written by Bankimchandra Chatterji during the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Navami, which was on November 7 in 1875.
“Vande Mataram” first appeared in the literary journal, “Bangadarshan”, as part of Chatterji’s novel, “Anandamath”.
The song, invoking the Motherland as the embodiment of strength, prosperity and divinity, gave poetic expression to India’s awakening spirit of unity and self-respect. It soon became an enduring symbol of devotion to the nation, the statement said.
Pertinent to mention here that, the PM Modi will visit Varanasi and flag off four new Vande Bharat Express trains on November 8, his office said on Thursday.
This marks another milestone in realizing the prime minister’s vision of providing citizens with easier, faster, and more comfortable travel through world-class railway services, a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
In a significant step towards expanding India’s modern rail infrastructure, Prime Minister Modi will visit Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency, and flag off four new Vande Bharat Express trains on November 8 at around 8:15 am, the PMO said.
The new Vande Bharat Express trains will operate on the Banaras-Khajuraho, Lucknow-Saharanpur, Firozpur-Delhi, and Ernakulam-Bengaluru routes.
By significantly reducing travel time between major destinations, these trains will enhance regional mobility, promote tourism, and support economic activity across the country, the statement said.
The Banaras-Khajuraho Vande Bharat Express will establish direct connectivity on this route and save about 2 hours 40 minutes compared to the special trains currently in operation, it said.
The Banaras-Khajuraho Vande Bharat will connect some of India’s most revered religious and cultural destinations, including Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Chitrakoot.
This link will not only strengthen religious and cultural tourism but also provide pilgrims and travellers with a fast, modern, and comfortable journey to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Khajuraho, it added.
The Lucknow-Saharanpur Vande Bharat will cover the journey in approximately 7 hours 45 minutes, saving nearly one hour of travel time. The express train will greatly benefit passengers from Lucknow, Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, Moradabad, Bijnor, and Saharanpur, while also improving access to the holy city of Haridwar via Roorkee, the statement said.
By ensuring smoother and faster intercity travel across central and western Uttar Pradesh, this service will play a key role in enhancing connectivity and regional development, it said.
The Firozpur-Delhi Vande Bharat will be the fastest train on this route, completing the journey in just 6 hours 40 minutes, the statement said. The express train will strengthen connectivity between the national capital and key cities in Punjab, including Bathinda and Patiala, it said.
This train is expected to boost trade, tourism, and employment opportunities, contributing to the socio-economic development of border regions and fostering greater integration with national markets.
In southern India, the Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat will reduce travel time by over two hours, completing the journey in 8 hours 40 minutes, the statement said.
The express train will connect major IT and commercial hubs, providing professionals, students, and tourists with a faster and more comfortable travel option, it said.
The route will promote greater economic activity and tourism between Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, supporting regional growth and collaboration, it added.
Meanwhile, the PM will inaugurate a national conference on strengthening legal aid delivery mechanisms on Saturday at the Supreme Court and launch a training module on community mediation.
The community mediation training module has been prepared by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).
The prime minister will also address the gathering on the occasion, his office said on Thursday.
The two-day conference, organised by NALSA, will deliberate on key aspects of the legal services framework such as the Legal Aid Defense Counsel System, panel lawyers, para-legal volunteers, permanent Lok Adalats and the financial management of legal services institutions.
