New guidelines have been announced by the Central Government for all the states, union territories, and central ministries with regard to the national anthem "Jana Gana Mana" and the national song "Vande Mataram." It was clarified by the ministry that according to the existing guidelines, when these should be played or sung is mentioned. According to MHA, the new guidelines provide a complete list of occasions where the national song or national anthem can be played or sung.
The 9th July order says that the national song would be sung during ceremonies of civic honors, when the President arrives and departs from state functions and other government-organized functions, and also immediately prior to and following the President's speech on AIR and Television.
It will also be played when the Governor and Lieutenant Governor arrive or depart from formal state functions in their respective states and union territories, and when the national flag is presented at parades.
The order stated, "It should be noted that the correct words and pronunciation of the national song and the national anthem must be strictly adhered to while singing or playing them."
The Ministry has made the correct words and pronunciation guide available on its website. It states that the national song will also be played on any other occasion for which special orders are issued by the Government of India. The order stated, "In some states, the state song is also sung and played along with the national anthem/national song.
It is stated that whenever the state song is sung or played along with the national song/national anthem, both the national song and the national anthem should be sung or played simultaneously; and the national song shall be sung or played first, followed by the national anthem."
In an order dated January 28, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued the first set of protocols for singing the national anthem. It directed that six verses of the National Anthem be sung at official functions such as the President's arrival, the hoisting of the tricolor, and the speeches of governors, with a duration of three minutes and ten seconds.
The order stated, "When the national anthem and the national song are sung or played, the national song shall be sung or played first." In a gathering where the national anthem is sung, everyone shall stand at attention.
The central government is celebrating the 150th anniversary of "Vande Mataram." It stated, "It is not possible to provide a complete list of occasions on which the official version of the national anthem may be permitted to be sung.
However, there is no objection to singing the national anthem collectively, provided it is sung with due respect and decorum in honor of the motherland."
In a resolution adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950, it was decided that the composition known as 'Jana Gana Mana' would be the 'National Anthem' of India, subject to such changes as may be made in the words from time to time by the Government.
The song 'Vande Mataram', which played a historic role in India's freedom struggle, would be accorded the same respect and status as 'Jana Gana Mana'.
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