Bhubaneswar: The State anthem ‘Bande Utkala Janani’ will be now part of the high school curriculum in Odisha. A notification in this regard has been issued today following approval of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. As per the decision, ‘Bande Utkala Janani’ penned by legendary poet Lakhmikanata Mohapatra will be part of the school curriculum in the classes of 9th and 10th. This year, the Government has accorded State Anthem status to ‘Bande Utkala Janani’. Responding to a call by CM Naveen Patnaik, Odia people across the globe had crooned ‘Bande Utkala Janani…’ to honour Corona warriors at 5.30 pm on May 30. The song will strengthen patriotism among Odia students and continue to inspire them to move forward in life, the CM said. ‘Bande Utkala Janani’ is being sung since 1912 in different sessions of Utkala Sammilani. It continues to remain in every Odia’s heart and emotion as the State Anthem since April 1, 1936 when Odisha got the special statehood status. On November 9, 1994, the Government led by late Chief Minister Biju Patnaik had decided a meeting chaired by the then Assembly Speaker to sing Bande Utkala Janani…as the concluding song on final day of every Assembly session in Odisha. Since then, it is being sung in the Assembly.