Odisha cabinet accords state song status to Bande Utkal Janani
BHUBANESWAR: The state cabinet on Sunday accorded “Odisha Rajya Sangeeta” (state song) status to ‘Bande Utkala Janani’ written by literary doyen Kantakabi Laxmikanta Mohapatra, a move that came a week after Odias across the globe crooned the song to express their gratitude to the Covid warriors.
State parliamentary affairs minister Bikram Keshari Arukh announced the state cabinet’s decision saying, “Today is a historic day for Odisha”.
According ‘state song’ status to the seven-stanza patriotic song that glorifies Mother Utkala (Odisha) in different aspects was a long-standing demand from various quarters including in the state assembly.
“It is a momentous occasion for every Odia as #BandeUtkalaJanani has been chosen as #OdishaRajyaSangeeta. Every word of the inspiring song written by literary doyen Laxmikanta Mohapatra speaks about Odisha’s glory, rich heritage, splendour, evoking patriotism among crores of Odias,” tweeted chief minister Naveen Patnaik.
While according ‘state song’ status to the entire seven-stanza song, the cabinet also decided that the state information and public relations department will prepare the song’s tune, version in which it will be sung and duration of singing, while it will be recorded accordingly.
“The approved version of the song will now be played or recited at various government functions, assembly sessions and other government events without any instruments. The song can also be played or sung with musical instruments in schools, colleges, public meetings and different cultural events,” said Arukh.
According to the cabinet decision, the audience at any assembly will stand to attention from starting till the end as a mark of respect, when the song will be played or recited at any opening, closing or felicitation programmes. Elderly, ill persons, Divyangs, pregnant lady and kids can show their respect to the song by sitting in their respective positions.
The song can also be presented by police band, sitar and flute while the cabinet decided that there will be no restriction on creative presentation of the song for its promotion. Also, the cabinet directed the state school and mass education department and higher education department to include the song in the school and college curriculum.
Unlike the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 that has different penal provision for insults to national anthem, flag and constitution of India, there is no specific law on penal provision for violation of the law.
“There is no need to introduce a bill in the state assembly to accord Odisha Rajya Sangeeta status to the song. As decided by the state cabinet, we will only publish the decision in the Odisha Gazette,” state culture secretary Manoranjan Panigrahy told TOI.
The entire Odisha came to a standstill at 5:30 pm on last Saturday (May 30) as people from all sections sang Bande Utkala Janani in complete unison as a gesture of solidarity to the Covid warriors and to show that all are together in the fight against the pandemic. Odias staying outside the state and country also joined on the occasion.
“The state cabinet expressed its gratitude to everyone. The unity and zeal of our people have inspired us to strengthen our fight against the virus. Around 10 lakh people have sent their videos while singing the song to support the chief minister in his commitment in the battle against the pandemic,” said Arukh.
The song was sung for the first time in 1912 by the Utkal Sammilani in its movement for creation of a separate Odisha province. It is also being sung while end of every assembly session since November 7, 1994, as per a decision during the tenure of Biju Patnaik as chief minister of the state.