Let 'Vande Mataram' awaken national pride; urges Tripura Tourism Minister

Commemorating 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram, a district-level celebration was held on Friday at the Sachin Dev Burman Smriti Kalakshetra in Bishramganj, organized by the Sepahijala District Administration and the District Information and Cultural Affairs Office. 

The event was inaugurated by Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, who paid tribute to the song’s historic role in India’s freedom movement.

In his address, Minister Chowdhury said, “To liberate India from the shame of British rule, freedom fighters embraced Vande Mataram as their guiding mantra. Many patriots chanted it with pride even in their final moments, sacrificing their lives for the motherland. That is the true significance of this song—it is the heartbeat of our national spirit.”

The program began with floral tributes to Bharat Mata by dignitaries, followed by a collective rendition of Vande Mataram by 150 students. The minister also reflected on India’s history of foreign invasions and exploitation, emphasizing how the country’s wealth was looted and its people oppressed—culminating in nearly two centuries of British colonial rule. 

Chowdhury noted that Vande Mataram became a rallying cry for those who fought to restore India’s dignity.

The event was attended by MLA Antara Deb Sarkar, Sepahijala District Magistrate Dr. Siddharth Shiv Jaiswal, Additional District Magistrate Upendra Jamatia, and other officials. 

Attendees also viewed the live broadcast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address from the central celebration in Delhi and later visited the exhibition stalls set up at the venue.

Dr. Jaiswal highlighted the importance of the occasion and the enduring legacy of Vande Mataram in shaping India’s national identity.