Kochi: Rendering of six stanzas of the National Song Vande Mataram has been made mandatory while it is played together with the National Anthem, the Hindu reported.
The Home Ministry directed that the six stanzas of 3 minutes 10 seconds duration shall be sung on official functions like arrival of the President, unfurling of the tricolour, and speeches of Governors.
“When the National Song and the National Anthem are sung or played, the National Song will be sung or played first,” the order read.
The assembly where the National Song is sung shall stand in attention, it said. However, the audience need not stand up during the exhibition of the film to avoid disorder and confusion during the course of a newsreel or documentary the National Song is played as a part of the film.
The move comes amidst the Centre observing the 150th year of Vande Mataram.
According to the order, the official version of the National Song shall be played accompanied by mass singing on these occasions — on the unfurling of the National Flag, on cultural occasions or ceremonial functions other than parades, and on the arrival of the President at any government or public function, among others.
The order said that on all occasions when the National Song is sung, the official version shall be recited accompanied by mass singing.
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