West Bengal government has made the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ mandatory in all government schools during morning assemblies from May 18, following an official circular issued by the School Education Department. The directive states that the national song must be sung by all students before classes begin every day.
The move comes amid the Centre’s initiative to mark the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’ across educational institutions. According to the circular issued by the Director of Education, “The singing of Vande Mataram during morning assembly prayers prior to the start of classes should be made mandatory so that Vande Mataram should be sung by all students in all schools in the state with immediate effect.”
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari while talking to the media at the state Assembly said that he will send a notice to the schools for implementing ‘Vande Mataram’ song before the national anthem in the morning assemblies every day before classes begin.
BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya welcomed the decision, saying it would help preserve Bengali culture and history.“I am happy that another saint, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s ‘Vande Mataram’ will be sung in schools. This will uplift the Bengali culture and history which were gradually getting distorted,” mentioned Bhattacharya.
(Image source: Wikimedia)
