Bhubaneswar, The Odisha Cabinet on Sunday approved a proposal to give state anthem status to 'Bande Utkala Janani'.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh said that the Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik accorded state anthem status to ‘Bande Utkala Janani'.

This patriotic poem was written by Kantakabi Laxmikanta Mohapatra in 1912. It was the opening song of Utkal Sammilani during the fight for the formation of a separate province.

"The song has been inspiring people of Odisha since ages. It was a longstanding demand of people of the state to accord state song status to Bande Utkala Janani," said Arukh.

"It will now be played at all government functions and state Assembly without instruments. All government schools and colleges, functions can play this song with instruments," he said.

The minister said everybody has to pay their respects to it by giving a standing ovation whenever the song is played.

However, the elderly, ill, pregnant women and children have been exempted from this directive.

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.