Bhubaneswar, January 4: To mark the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, all educational institutions across Odisha will observe a statewide programme of collective singing of Vande Maataram on January 12, coinciding with Swami Vivekananda Jayanti and National Youth Day.
On the occasion, students will collectively sing Vande Mataram and recite the "Atmanirbhar Bharat Swadeshi Sankalp". Each institution will also nominate one student as an "Atmanirbhar Bharat Ambassador". Various competitions will be organised for students and meritorious participants will be felicitated. Youth clubs across the state will also participate in the collective singing programme.
The Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department has given instructions to all district collectors for smooth implementation of the programme. As part of the preparations, a statewide Vande Mataram Training Programme is being organised. The state has been divided into five zones - Jeypore, Berhampur, Balasore, Sambalpur and Bhubaneswar - for conducting zonal-level training programmes.
Zonal training programmes were held at Berhampur, Balasore and Jeypore on 23rd, 30th & 31st December, 2025, respectively. The Sambalpur zonal training was completed on 2nd January, 2026, while the Bhubaneswar zonal training concluded on 3rd January, 2026.
Three teachers from each block, municipal corporation, NAC (Two teachers from school level and one from college or university level) nominated by the respective district collectors, participated in the zonal-level training programmes. These trained participants will further impart training at the Vande Maataram training programmes which is going to be organised at block, municipal corporation, and NAC levels. The Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department has directed that all block/ Municipal Corporation/NAC level Vande Mataram training programmes to be completed by 10th January, 2026.
Addressing the Bhubaneswar zonal-level training programme held at Utkal University today, Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said that Vande Mataram became the voice of India’s freedom movement and continues to inspire national consciousness and patriotic fervour. He said the song instils courage and strength among citizens.
