Speech by AmbassadorY. K. Sailas Thangal at the Inauguration of “Vande Mataram @150” Exhibition
(First President Museum, Astana, 04 November 2026)

Honourable Director of the First President Museum, Colleague Ambassadors,
Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning! Assalam wa laykum, Qurmete Qonaktar,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to this special exhibition commemorating 150 years of “Vande Mataram”, India's National Song, organised by the Embassy of India here at the prestigious First President Museum in Astana.

At the outset, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the management and officials of the First President Museum for graciously extending their support and allowing the Embassy of India to organise this exhibition in this wonderful institution. We are particularly grateful for your cooperation, assistance and the arrangements made to bring this event to fruition. Your support has made it possible for us to share an important chapter of India's history and cultural heritage with our friends in Kazakhstan. We deeply value this gesture of friendship and partnership.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

“Vande Mataram” literally means “I bow to thee, Mother” or “I salute thee, Mother.” Penned by the distinguished Indian writer and novelist Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875, the song personifies India as the Motherland. Through evocative verses celebrating the country's rivers, fertile fields, green landscapes and natural beauty, it expresses a profound sense of love, reverence and devotion towards the land.

What began as a literary composition gradually acquired a much greater significance in India's history. During the colonial period, when India was struggling to free itself from British rule, “Vande Mataram” emerged as a powerful expression of national consciousness and collective aspiration.

The song became particularly prominent during the Swadeshi Movement following the partition of Bengal in 1905. It was sung at public gatherings, processions and meetings, and became a rallying cry for countless Indians who were seeking freedom from colonial rule. For freedom fighters, students and ordinary citizens alike, these two words represented courage, unity, sacrifice and an unwavering belief in India's freedom.

The song transcended the boundaries of language and region. It brought people together through a shared emotional bond with their motherland and became an enduring symbol of India's freedom struggle. Its historical contribution was formally recognised on 24 January 1950, when Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the President of the Constituent Assembly, declared that “Vande Mataram”, which had played a historic role in India's freedom movement, would be honoured equally with India's National Anthem, “Jana Gana Mana.”

As we commemorate its 150th anniversary, we are reminded that “Vande Mataram” is not merely a song from India's past. It represents timeless values of patriotism, national unity, self-respect and devotion to one's motherland. Its message continues to inspire generations of Indians, including those living far away from their homeland.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is particularly meaningful that we are celebrating this important milestone here in Kazakhstan, a country with which India shares long standing bonds of friendship, mutual respect and cultural understanding.

India and Kazakhstan are both proud of their rich civilisational heritage, traditions and cultural diversity. Our two nations understand the importance of preserving their history, celebrating their national identity and passing their cultural legacy on to future generations. Institutions such as the First President Museum play a valuable role in preserving and showcasing the history and heritage of a nation.

We hope this exhibition will provide our Kazakh friends and visitors an opportunity to learn more about the historical circumstances in which “Vande Mataram” was composed, its role in India's freedom movement, and the values it continues to represent in contemporary India.

I would once again like to place on record our heartfelt appreciation to the Director and the entire team of the First President Museum for their generous support and cooperation. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Museum and exploring further opportunities to promote cultural exchanges and people-to-people understanding between India and Kazakhstan.

Thank you Khop Rahmet.

Vande Mataram!