Bhubaneswar

Students, teachers and staff from more than 16,000 educational institutions across Odisha came together on Monday for a large-scale rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’, marking 150 years since the composition of the iconic national song by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.

The statewide programme was jointly organised by the departments of Odia Language, Literature and Culture; Higher Education; School and Mass Education; and Sports and Youth Services. Educational institutions under the Skill Development and Technical Education Department also participated in the event.

The initiative followed a unanimous resolution passed earlier by the Odisha Assembly, urging the state government to commemorate the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’ across the state.

There were differing estimates on participation numbers. While Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena said that more than 50 lakh people took part in the collective singing, an official release from the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department placed the figure at over 21 lakh participants.

In addition to singing the national song, participants took the Atmanirbhar Bharat Swadeshi Sankalp pledge on the occasion of National Youth Day.

Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, in a post on social media platform X, described the event as a historic moment. “One time, many places; one spirit, the song of the nation. On National Youth Day, as we mark 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, the voice of patriotism echoed across educational institutions throughout Odisha,” he said. He also congratulated students, teachers and institutions for making the programme a success.

The mass rendition was held simultaneously at 11 am across the state. Several institutions shared photographs and videos of the event on social media, while some organised additional activities such as quiz contests and debates to mark the occasion.

At Utkal University in Bhubaneswar, students, faculty members and staff joined the collective singing in the presence of Vice-Chancellor Prof Jagneshwar Dandapat and PG Council Chairperson Mitali Chinara. Participants there also took the Atmanirbhar Bharat Swadeshi Sankalp pledge.

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A student from Fakir Mohan Junior College in Balasore said the programme included a collective pledge to support local products, opt for ‘Made in India’ goods and services, and contribute to the country’s goal of self-reliance.