The Union Home Ministry has issued an order that all six stanzas of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, shall be sung first when the National Song and National Anthem ‘Jan Gana Mana ‘ are to be played together.
In an order dated January 28, the Home Ministry gave the first set of protocols for singing the National Song, directing that six stanzas of it, having a duration of 3 minutes 10 seconds, shall be sung on official functions such as the arrival of the President, unfurling of the tricolour, and speeches of Governors.
“When the National Song and the National Anthem are sung or played, the National Song will be sung or played first,” the order read.
The MHA instructions on ‘Vande Mataram’ coincide with the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the creation of the song.
All members of the audience present when the national song is being played must stand in an attention pose.
“Whenever the official version of the National Song is sung or played, the audience shall stand to attention. However, when in the course of a newsreel or documentary the National Song is played as a part of the film, it is not expected of the audience to stand as standing is bound to interrupt the exhibition of the film and would create disorder and confusion rather than add to the dignity of the National Song,” it said.
As per MHA’s instructions, the national song is to be played at all civil honorary ceremonies, official state functions as well as at events organised by the govt graced by the President of India. The song shall be played both upon the arrival and departure of the President from such functions.
‘Vande Mataram’ shall also be played before and after the President’s address to the nation broadcast on state media like Akashwani and Doordarshan.
At the state level, the national song shall be played at all official state functions upon the arrival and departure of the governor or lieutenant governor.
“There should be an adequate public audition system so that the gathering in various enclosures can sing in unison with the choir; printed lyrics of the official version of the National Song may be circulated amongst the participants, wherever required,” it read.
The order said that on all occasions when the National Song is sung, the official version shall be recited accompanied by mass singing.
The order said that in all schools, the day’s work may begin with community singing of the National Song.
ALSO READ: Boundary pillar installation begins along Arunachal Pradesh-Assam border
“School authorities should make adequate provision in their programmes for popularising the singing of the National Song, National Anthem and promoting respect for the National Flag among students,” it said.
