Aadil Akbar
Kupwara: The 7 J&K Battalion NCC, Kupwara, joined the nation in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the iconic national song Vande Mataram with a vibrant event held at Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Kupwara, on Friday. The celebration reflected deep respect for the song that once stirred India’s freedom struggle and continues to inspire patriotism to this day.
Penned by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875 and later featured in his novel Anandamath (1882), Vande Mataram became a unifying cry of devotion and resistance during the freedom movement. Acknowledging its historical importance, the Government of India has designated 2025 as the 150th Year of Vande Mataram, with commemorations being held across the country.
At the Kupwara event, Lt Col S.S. Misquith, Administrative Officer of the 7 J&K Battalion NCC, presided as Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, he highlighted the song’s enduring role in awakening national consciousness and urged NCC cadets to uphold its spirit of unity, discipline, and service to the nation.
The cadets presented speeches, recitations, and a documentary screening depicting the historical journey and significance of Vande Mataram. Their performances resonated with emotion, reigniting a sense of national pride among students and faculty alike.
The ceremony concluded with a mass singing of Vande Mataram, a moment that filled the venue with reverence and patriotic zeal. The event not only honoured the literary and cultural legacy of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee but also reminded the youth of their duty to carry forward the values of love, devotion, and unity that the immortal song continues to embody.
