New Delhi:Feb, 18: The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued new guidelines. Under these rules, singing or playing the national song Vande Mataram will be mandatory at specified government functions.
Standing will be compulsory during the national song. The full six-stanza version, lasting about 3 minutes and 10 seconds, is to be performed at designated official ceremonies. After the national song, the 52-second national anthem Jana Gana Mana will be sung.
The ministry has stated that at events where singing the national anthem is mandatory, the national song will be performed first. This rule will apply to various civil honor ceremonies including the Padma Awards, programs attended by the President, and events held before Governors’ addresses.
The guidelines clarify that where both the national song and national anthem are scheduled, the national song must come first. At government events, people must stand while “Vande Mataram” is performed. However, this rule will not apply in places like cinema halls.
Schools have also been instructed to begin the day with the national song. Whenever the official version of the national song is sung or played, attendees must stand. But if it appears as part of a film sequence, standing is not required, as it may disrupt the screening and create disorder instead of respect.
According to the directions, except for occasions such as flag hoisting, cultural festivals, or parades, the official version of the national song should be performed with collective singing at other government programs and at official or public ceremonies attended by the President.
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