As the year 2026 is dedicated to the spirit of 150 Years of Vande Mataram, the defence ministry has come out with invitation cards containing the lyrics of Vande Mataram for the upcoming Independence Day celebrations.

According to media reports, the invitation cards, which will be sent to top ministers, bureaucrats, military officers, diplomats, special guests, and others, contain six stanzas of Vande Mataram.

"People know the national anthem by heart, but few can sing the national song. The lyrics have been provided so that people can sing along," Hindustan Times quoted an official as saying.

The song will be played during the hoisting of the national flag, officials have been quoted as saying.

The Union cabinet had, in October, approved country-wide celebrations for the 150th anniversary of 'Vande Mataram' to connect citizens, especially the youth and students, with the song's original, revolutionary spirit.

Earlier this year, as part of these celebrations, the Indian Air Force (IAF) Band, comprising 31 musicians, performed at the amphitheatre in Rajiv Chowk, Delhi.

Besides, 150 years of Vande Mataram was the theme of the Republic Day Parade 2026. Pan-India band performances on the theme ‘Vande Mataram’ were organised from January 19 to 26, 2026, by the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, and other CAPFs.

According to the report by HT, the invitation cards will also have an image of Seva Teerth, which is the new unified administrative complex that houses the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the National Security Council Secretariat, and the Cabinet Secretariat. It will also contain the list of fundamental duties.

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