West Bengal schools to start the day with state song ‘Banglar Mati, Banglar Jal’

All government and government-aided schools in West Bengal will now be required to begin their morning assemblies with the state song, ‘Banglar Mati, Banglar Jal,’ following a new directive from the state government.

The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education has issued a notification to the heads of upper primary and secondary schools, instructing them to "take necessary action for regularly singing the state song at the morning assembly mandatorily."

Education Minister Bratya Basu announced the decision on X, saying that the iconic song written by Rabindranath Tagore in 1905 will now serve as a “prarthana sangeet” (prayer song) each morning.

Written during the anti-partition movement of Bengal, “Banglar Mati, Banglar Jal” is widely considered a tribute to the state’s identity and spirit.

The song celebrates Bengal’s soil and water, symbolizing unity and resilience during a period of colonial upheaval.

Basu said that singing the state song daily, along with the national anthem, also composed by Tagore, would act as “a catalyst for social and communal unity.”

Officials noted that the initiative aims to help students develop a deeper connection with Bengal’s cultural and literary roots.

The move stems from a citizens’ convention held in September 2023 under the leadership of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to select an official state song.

The gathering, attended by political leaders, religious figures, and prominent citizens, had overwhelmingly endorsed Tagore’s composition.

Following the convention, the West Bengal Legislative Assembly passed a resolution declaring “Banglar Mati, Banglar Jal” the official state song, and the government later mandated its rendition at all state events alongside the national anthem.

With the latest order, this practice will now extend to schools across the state, further embedding the song into Bengal’s daily cultural life.

Officials also acknowledged that the move comes amid ongoing political discussions between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP over Bengal’s cultural and symbolic identity.