Kolkata: In a significant move, the Mamata Banerjee administration has designated the Bengali New Year day as the state day in West Bengal. The state has also declared Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s ode to Bengal, “Banglar mati, Banglar jol, Banglar bayu, Banglar fol,” as the state song.
An official order from the West Bengal government specifies that the State Song shall be played with due respect at the commencement of all state government functions, and the National Anthem is mandatory at the conclusion of these ceremonies.
The order further states that all attendees must stand in attention during the playing of the state song and national anthem, encouraging mass singing of both. The state day, falling on the Bengali New Year, is to be celebrated annually with respect and dignity.
This declaration follows a resolution passed in August by the state assembly, declaring the Bengali New Year Day as the state’s foundation day, known as Bangla Diwas. Mamata Banerjee had objected to the earlier commemoration of the state’s foundation day on June 20, as it triggered painful memories associated with the division of the Bengal province.
Despite objections, the governor had commemorated the foundation day in June, prompting the state to officially designate the Bengali New Year for the celebration. A committee set up by the West Bengal assembly recommended the celebration of the Bengali New Year Day as ‘Bangla Diwas’.
