Odisha cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday approved the proposal to give state anthem status to ‘Bande Utkal Janani’.
Informing about the cabinet decision, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh said, “Considering the long-standing demand of 4.5 crores Odia people, today State Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has approved the proposal to give state song status to ‘Bande Utkal Janai’.”
Bande Utkal Janani’, written by Kantakabi Laxmikanta Mohapatra has been accorded an official status. The Cabinet also expressed gratitude to the great poet for creation of such immortal song which reflects the abundant natural beauty and glory of Odisha.
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As per the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, a resolution has been passed at the meeting in accordance with the decision taken by the state cabinet.
According to the resolution “, the song will be sung at all government programs, sessions of the legislative assembly and other specially organised government programs, schools, colleges, everyone who will be present will pay homage to this state music by standing, however elderly and disabled persons, children and pregnant women are exempted,” said a statement.
Schools and mass education departments and the department of higher education have been instructed to include this music in school and college curricula.
The Chief Minister had urged the people of the state and the Odia population across the world to sing the song on May 30 at 5:30 pm in order to express their gratitude for frontline COVID-19 workers.
(With ANI inputs)