'150 years of Vande Mataram' to be celebrated across Tripura for one year

The Tripura government will observe the 150th anniversary of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ throughout an entire year beginning November 7, 2025, Transport Minister and cabinet spokesperson Sushanta Chowdhury said on Wednesday.

Addressing a press conference here, Chowdhury said the celebrations would be held in four phases as part of a nationwide initiative announced by the Ministry of Culture. The Information and Cultural Affairs (ICA) Department has been designated as the nodal agency to coordinate and organise various events across the state.

“The Ministry of Culture has communicated the decision to all state governments through video conferencing. Following the directive, we have prepared a detailed schedule for the year-long celebration,” the minister said.

The inaugural function will be held on November 7, 2025, at the Civil Secretariat and will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, Chowdhury said.

He added that similar programmes will be organised across all eight districts of Tripura. Minister Ratan Lal Nath and Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharjee will attend the West Tripura district event, while Chowdhury himself will participate in the Sepahijala district celebrations.

Minister Pranajit Singha Roy will join the programme in Gomati district, and Minister Shukla Charan Noatia will attend the South Tripura event. In Khowai district, Minister Bikash Debbarma and Tipra Motha leader Animesh Debbarma are expected to be present.

Minister Santana Chakma, Minister Tinku Roy, and Minister Sudhangshu Das will take part in the events at North Tripura, Unakoti, and Dhalai districts respectively.

“The Governor, Indrasena Reddy Nallu, has also been invited to attend the observance at Dhalai district, and we are awaiting his confirmation,” Chowdhury said.

Apart from district-level events, similar programmes will be held at sub-divisional headquarters and urban local bodies, with local MLAs participating in the celebrations.

Describing ‘Vande Mataram’ as “the spirit of India’s freedom struggle,” Chowdhury said the composition by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay served as a unifying force during the independence movement.

“It is a matter of great pride that we will be celebrating 150 years of this immortal song, which continues to inspire the nation,” he said.