All Six Stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’ to Be Sung
The central government has said that it will be mandatory to sing Vande Mataram before the national anthem at all government functions and in schools. When Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana are sung together, all six stanzas of Vande Mataram will be sung first.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued guidelines in this regard. The ministry stated that during official ceremonies such as the President’s arrival, hoisting of the national flag, and Governors’ addresses, all six stanzas of Vande Mataram should be sung. Whenever both the national song and the national anthem are performed or played, the national anthem will be sung or played first.
The ministry also clarified that whenever the official version of the national anthem is sung or played, the audience must stand in attention. However, if the national anthem is played as part of a newsreel or documentary film, viewers are not expected to stand, as doing so may interrupt the screening and create inconvenience instead of enhancing the dignity of the anthem.
In schools, daily activities will begin with the national anthem, and studies will start only after it is sung. Singing Vande Mataram has been made compulsory in government programs as well.
Duration Details:
Jana Gana Mana takes 52 seconds to sing in its standard version.
Singing all six stanzas of Vande Mataram takes 3 minutes and 10 seconds.
Know Your National Song and National Anthem:
On January 24, 1950, the Constituent Assembly passed a resolution declaring Jana Gana Mana as India’s national anthem, allowing necessary modifications by the government if required. It was also decided that Vande Mataram would be the national song and would be given equal honor. Vande Mataram was composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875.
The ministry has also directed school authorities to take adequate measures to popularize the national anthem and national song among students and promote respect for the national flag. The central government is currently celebrating the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram.
