Hansraj College hosted a commemorative event on 14 November 2025 to mark 150 years of Vande Mataram, drawing Delhi University Vice Chancellor Prof. Yogesh Singh, senior DU officials, and faculty representatives from several colleges.
The Vice Chancellor was escorted into the auditorium by NCC cadets. A short introductory note on the significance of the national song was delivered by Dr Gunjan Kumar Jha, who opened the event. The programme was also attended by senior DU officials, including the Director of South Campus, Prof. Rajni Abbi, the Dean of Colleges, Prof. Balram Pani, and faculty members from colleges such as Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Deshbandhu and Daulat Ram. The event then moved to its main segment, a complete rendition of Vande Mataram, led by the Vice Chancellor and performed by Swaranjali, the college’s music society, with the audience joining in. The entire lyrics of Vande Mataram were displayed on three screens inside the auditorium to help attendees sing along.
In the address that followed, Prof. Yogesh Singh described Vande Mataram as “the heartbeat of India”, citing its influence on the freedom struggle and the Bengal Revolution. He also administered the Swadeshi Sankalp oath. The Principal, Prof. Rama, concluded the programme by referring to Vande Mataram as the “soul of Indian nationalism”. The event coordinator, Dr Shailu Singh, added that the intention was “not just collective singing, but understanding what the song meant and the values it reflects”, suggesting that such values remain significant to the college.
The event received a positive response from students, many of whom reported that they had never heard the full rendition of Vande Mataram before. This experience invoked a sense of unity among them.
Hansraj’s event took place amid university-wide commemorations marking the song’s 150th year. According to organisers, similar gatherings are expected to continue across Delhi University until November 2026 as part of an extended observation cycle. The Hindu noted that “This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week accused the Congress party of having removed key stanzas of the original song in 1937 while speaking at an event on November 7, 2025, to mark 150 years since Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay wrote it.” Together, the ongoing university programmes and the national dialogue situate Hansraj’s event within a broader context of reflection on the legacy of the national song.
Read Also: 150 Years of Vande Mataram: Celebrations across DU Colleges
Image credit: Hansraj College Administration
Suansh Dembla
