A two-minute silence will be observed in the State on Martyrs day on January 30 in memory of Father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi and other martyrs. General Administration Department has issued directives in this regard to all departments, commissioners and collectors.

Detailed instructions have been sent to all departments in connection with two-minute silence to be observed on January 30, after bringing to a halt all activities and work at sharp 11 am in remembrance of the martyrs who laid down their lives for India’s freedom. It has been said in the directive that necessary arrangements must be made for armed guns and sound of siren to be played for observance of silence.

On January 30, the first siren should be played for one minute at 10.59 am. After silence of two minutes ie from 11.02 am to 11.03 am, an all-clear siren should be sounded. The same method should be adopted wherever the siren is available. The district collectors have been told to give information before starting the two-minute silence and after the silence ends where it is practically possible.

On hearing the signal, everyone should stand still and observe silence wherever he maybe. Instead of standing alone, if people stand in a group to the two-minute silence, it will be more effective and influential. If standing in a group is likely to cause disturbance, then there is no need to stand in a group. In a directive, Department of General Administration has appealed to the general public along with industrial establishments, non-government institutions in all the districts and cities to arrange for siren and observe silence in memory of the martyrs on January 30. It has been said in the directive that the sound of bell can be arranged in schools and colleges in place of siren.

The Department of General Administration has urged that when the two-minute silence is being observed in offices, people should stop all routine work to take part in it. Martyrs Day should be observed in full honour.

A two-minute silence will be observed at 11 am on Martyrs Day at the Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel garden near Gate no.1 at the Mantralaya in Bhopal. Senior officers and employees will be present.