Odisha to take call on according state song status to 'Vande

The Odisha government would take a call on according state song status to 'Vande Utkala Janani', Culture and Tourism Minister Ashok Chandra Panda said today.

"The song is respected by every Odia. This is played in the Assembly and in public meetings. The government will take a decision to accord state song status to it after studying the policy and decision taken in this regard by the neighbouring states," Panda told reporters here.

Apart from the Opposition Congress and the BJP, cultural organisations like 'Ame Odia' and 'Utkal Sammilani' have also demanded state song tag for 'Vande Utkala Janani', written by Kantakabi Laxmikanta Mohapatra.

Former Speaker Sarat Kar said the state government still has time to give it due respect by according state song status.

"I will welcome the decision if the BJD government accords the state song status to 'Vande Utkala Janani'," Senior Congress leader Suresh Routray added.