The Utkal Sammilani has once again demanded that the State Government accord State anthem status to the Bande Utkal Janani song without further delay.
“While Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has already termed Bande Utkal Janani as a symbol of self-esteem of four crore Odias and a portrayal of glory of Utkal Janai, it is not understood why the Govern-ment is taking a backseat in giving State anthem status to the song,” lamented Sammilani’s Mancheswar Industrial Estate Branch president Dillip Dashsharma in a statement.
Dashsharma said State anthem status for the song is being demanded from 1994 and, during these 24 years, the song has been sung many times in the State Assembly and the Culture. Besides, the Tourism Department had on January 22, 2013 sent a proposal to the Home Department to accord State anthem to the song.
“The Chief Minister, who has praised the song in high esteem, is in charge of the Home Department. It is not understood, why the department is yet to approve the proposal,” Dashsharma wanted to know, adding, “The Utkal Sammilani demands that the State Government take early steps to recognise the song as the State anthem.”