MHA asks states to play Vande Mataram before National Anthem at national, govt functions
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Daltonganj, August 14: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued an advisory to the chief secretaries of…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, August 14: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued an advisory to the chief secretaries of all states and Union Territories regarding the observance of Independence Day on August 15. The advisory outlines the sequence in which the National Song, flag unfurling and the National Anthem are to be observed during official ceremonies.
According to an MHA letter dated August 10, a copy of which is available with , the National Song, Vande Mataram, is to be rendered before the unfurling of the national flag, followed by the customary salute and the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana.
Vande Mataram to precede National Anthem
The advisory calls for the full rendition of Vande Mataram, described as the National Song, with the six-stanza version taking approximately three minutes and 10 seconds.
The National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, is to be sung in approximately 54 seconds.
Administrative sources said the advisory calls for the National Song and National Anthem to be rendered twice — once at the beginning and again at the conclusion of the flag-unfurling ceremony — with due respect and decorum.
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Officials express difficulty with full six-stanza version
The directive has also raised concerns among some government officials, particularly over the requirement to recite the complete six-stanza version of Vande Mataram.
The Jharkhand Story Network spoke to government officials at various levels, from districts to panchayats. According to the report, nine out of 10 officials said they were not confident of reciting all six stanzas of the National Song.
Several officials said they were comfortable with the first two stanzas but found the remaining four difficult to recall and recite in full.
Officials emphasised that whether the National Song and National Anthem are sung or played, their sanctity, dignity and proper rendition must be maintained.
