The State Anthem ‘Bande Utkala Janani’ would now be part of the high school curriculum. A notification in this regard was issued on Friday following approval of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
As per the decision, ‘Bande Utkala Janani’ penned by legendary poet Lakhmikanata Mohapatra would be part of the school curriculum in the Classes-IX and X.
Earlier this year, the Government had accorded the State Anthem status to ‘Bande Utkala Janani’. Responding to a call by the Chief Minister, Odias across the globe had crooned ‘Bande Utkala Janani…’ to honour corona warriors at 5.30 pm on May 30.
The song would strengthen patriotism among Odia students and continue to inspire them to move forward in life, the CM said. Utkal Sammilani Mancheswar Industrial Estate Branch president Dillip Dashsharma thanked the Chief Minister and the State Government for introducing “Bande Utkal Janani” in the school curriculum.
The Pujyapuja Sanskruti Surakshya Abhiyan also thanked the Chief Minister and the Government for the decision.
The initiative would enhance the glory of Odisha, said Abhiyan chief Prdyumna Satpathy and spokesperson Aurobbinda Tripathy. ‘Bande Utkala Janani’ is being sung since 1912 in different sessions of the Utkal Sammilani. It continues to remain in every Odia’s heart and emotion since April 1, 1936 when Odisha got the special Statehood status.
On November 9, 1994, the Government led by late Chief Minister Biju Patnaik had decided at a meeting chaired by the then Assembly Speaker to sing ‘Bande Utkala Janani’ the concluding song on final day of every Assembly session. Since then, it is being sung in the Assembly.