Bhubaneswar, Jan 12: In a historic celebration of culture and patriotism, more than  21 lakh students from over 16,000 educational institutions across Odisha joined together in a mass rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’ on Monday. The event marked the 150th anniversary of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s iconic national song and coincided with National Youth Day and Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary.

A Statewide Celebration

Organised jointly by the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department along with Higher Education, School and Mass Education, Sports and Youth Services, and Skill Development departments, the programme was held simultaneously at 11 am across the state.

While Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena claimed participation of over 50 lakh people including students and staff, official figures from the Odia Language Department said that more than 21 lakh students took part in the collective singing.

Voices of Patriotism

Participants not only sang the national song but also took the Atmanirbhar Bharat Swadeshi Sankalp pledge, vowing to support local products and contribute to India’s self-reliance. Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj described the event as “One time, many places: one vibe, the song of the nation,” calling it a historic moment of unity and patriotism.

At Utkal University, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Jagneshwar Dandapat and PG Council Chairperson Mitali Chinara joined students and faculty in the collective singing. Similar scenes unfolded at Fakir Mohan Junior College in Balasore, where students pledged to be vocal for local and embrace ‘Made in India’ goods.

Beyond Singing

Several institutions extended the celebrations with quizzes, debates, and cultural programmes, while social media was flooded with photographs and videos capturing the patriotic fervor. The event reflected Odisha’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage while inspiring youth to take pride in national identity.