Beijing, Nov 7: The Indian community in Shanghai on Friday celebrated the 150th anniversary of India’s national song, ‘Vande Mataram,’ with an event that resonated with patriotism and pride. The celebration began with an address by Indian Consul General Pratik Mathur, who highlighted the song’s historic role in igniting India’s freedom struggle and uniting the nation.
Sharing glimpses of the event on X, the Indian Consulate in Shanghai wrote, “Goonj of Vande Mataram in China. Celebrating 150 years of the song that awakened a nation and still unites it today.” The Consulate auditorium was filled with Indian community members singing the national song in unison.
The Consulate post also recalled Shanghai’s link to India’s freedom movement, noting that the city once served as a secret hub for Ghadar revolutionaries and was visited by Rabindranath Tagore in 1924 and 1929 to promote Asian unity. “From whispers of revolution then to proud chorus now – the spirit lives on! Jai Hind!” the post added.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the year-long national commemoration of 150 years of Vande Mataram at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, calling it the “voice of India’s awakening during the era of slavery.”
PM Modi said, “‘Vande Mataram’ became the declaration that the chains binding Maa Bharati would be broken by her own children. It embodies India’s eternal spirit and cultural identity.”
Written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee on Akshaya Navami, November 7, 1875, the song first appeared in the journal ‘Bangadarshan’ as part of his novel ‘Anandamath.’ Over the decades, it evolved into a timeless symbol of India’s unity, strength, and devotion—echoing the enduring spirit of the nation.
