In a resounding tribute to India’s timeless national song, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, led the nation in celebrating the 150th anniversary of “Vande Mataram” through a series of commemorative events held across its institutions nationwide. The central ceremony was organized at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, where Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The event was attended by Shri Amit Yadav, Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, with senior officers and staff members reflecting the Ministry’s commitment to inclusive national participation.

A special highlight of the ceremony was the live broadcast of the inspirational message delivered by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to the nation, marking the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. In his message, the Prime Minister underlined that every word and emotion expressed by Bankim Babu (Bankim Chandra Chatterjee) in Vande Mataram carries profound meaning, making it eternally relevant across generations and eras.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Virendra Kumar described Vande Mataram as “not merely two words, but a powerful emblem of national awakening and freedom.” He emphasized that in today’s independent India, every citizen holds the responsibility to internalize the spirit of this song of devotion to the motherland and to pass on its values to the generations ahead.

The fervour of patriotism was echoed across all institutions under DEPwD, as National Institutes (NIs) and Composite Regional Centers (CRCs) nationwide organized special programmes infused with unity, enthusiasm, and cultural pride. At the National Institutes including SVNIRTAR, Odisha; NIEPVD, Dehradun; NIMHR, Sehore; PDUNIPPD, New Delhi; and ALIMCO, Kanpur, the Prime Minister’s address was broadcast live, followed by collective singing of Vande Mataram and vibrant cultural performances. Students, officials, employees, and Divyangjan actively participated, giving expression to the spirit of national integration and pride in India’s cultural heritage.

Simultaneously, the Composite Regional Centres in Ranchi, Jaipur, Gorakhpur, Nagpur, Lucknow, Balangir, Rajnandgaon, Shillong, and other regions organized heartfelt programmes including group singing, rangoli making, painting, speech, and cultural competitions. These activities reflected not only patriotic fervour but also the inclusive essence of India’s social fabric—uniting persons with and without disabilities in one collective expression of devotion to the nation.

Through this nationwide observance, DEPwD reaffirmed its dedication to fostering inclusion and equality while nurturing a deep sense of national pride and unity. The celebrations of Vande Mataram’s 150th anniversary thus became a living embodiment of the Department’s vision—empowering every citizen, including Divyangjan, to participate equally in the nation’s journey of pride, progress, and patriotism.

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KV

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