‘Bande Utkala Janani’ gets state song status

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha cabinet on Sunday approved a proposal to give state anthem status to ‘Bande Utkala Janani’.

The cabinet headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik gave nod to this proposal.

Informing that the Cabinet accorded ‘state anthem’ status to Bande Utkal Janani, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh said everybody has to pay their respects to it by giving a standing ovation whenever the song is played.

“Bande Utkala Janani” was the opening song of Utkal Sammilani during the fight for the formation of a separate province.

The song is written by Kantakabi Laxmikanta Mohapatra.

On May 30, people from all walks of life in Odisha recited ‘Bande Utkala Janani’ in a show of respect and honour to the COVID-19 warriors.