Tripura schools to begin daily classes with 'Vande Mataram', followed by National Anthem
Agartala, July 7
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday announced that all schools across the state would begin their daily classes with the full rendition of the national song "Vande Mataram", followed by the National Anthem "Jana Gana Mana", as part of an initiative to strengthen patriotism, discipline and national consciousness among students.
Saha, who also holds the Elementary and Secondary Education portfolios, said in a social media post that the state government has taken the decision to foster patriotism, discipline and a stronger sense of national identity among school students.
He said the initiative is intended to promote national unity, encourage respect for India's rich cultural heritage and instil a deeper sense of responsibility towards the nation among the younger generation. Saha said that through the measure, the government aims to nurture students into more aware, responsible and patriotic citizens.
The chief minister also shared the Education (School) Department's notification detailing the implementation of the decision. According to the notification, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued comprehensive guidelines regarding the respect, decorum and official rendition of India's National Song, "Vande Mataram".
The notification said the guidelines specifically mandate that proper protocol must be observed across all formal, semi-formal and educational forums to instil national pride and preserve the rich cultural heritage associated with the National Song.
In compliance with these national directives and with the objective of promoting national integration while cultivating unconditional respect for national symbols among students, the Tripura Education (School) Department has decided to implement the guidelines uniformly in all government, government-aided and privately managed schools, including all government-aided and unaided recognised Madrassa schools functioning under the administrative jurisdiction of the state.
The notification said it is proposed that the daily academic routine of all schools shall formally commence with the community singing of the full version of the National Song "Vande Mataram", followed by the singing of the National Anthem "Jana Gana Mana".
The notification further stated that, in accordance with the prescribed guidelines, whenever the National Song is sung or played, all students, teachers, faculty members and administrative staff must stand at attention as a mark of respect and to maintain proper decorum.
The state government believes that the initiative would help reinforce national unity, strengthen students' civic responsibility, and deepen their respect for the country's constitutional values and national symbols.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I'm all for patriotism, but compulsory singing every single day feels a bit over the top. School hours are already packed, and kids need time for academics and sports too. Let's not turn education into a daily political rally assembly. Respect for the nation comes from heart, not from forced repetition.
What about the National Anthem? It's already there! But Vande Mataram has a beautiful history - written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, it inspired our freedom fighters. I think it's a good idea to start the day with this, especially in a state like Tripura with diverse communities. Unity in diversity! 🇮🇳
As someone who grew up in a different state, I find this interesting but also a bit concerning. What happens to students from minority communities who might have different cultural backgrounds? National integration should be about mutual respect, not imposing one song. Hope there's sensitivity in implementation.
This is wonderful! My kids study in a private school in Tripura, and they already do this. The discipline and pride it instills is amazing. Critics should remember that Vande Mataram is our National Song - it's not political, it's part of our heritage. Well done, Tripura government! 👍
I'm a teacher in a government school here. The idea is good in theory, but practical challenges remain - some Madrassa students may feel uncomfortable. We need proper training for teachers to explain the meaning and history behind these songs, not just mechanical singing. Also, the full version of Vande Mataram is quite long for daily use.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.