New Delhi/IBNS, Feb. 11 -- The Union Home Ministry, in an order issued on January 28, has directed that all six stanzas of the national song Vande Mataram be sung at official functions, media reports said.

The government has also directed that Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, should be sung first when the national song and the national anthem are played together.

People present at assemblies where the national song is performed must stand in an attention posture.

However, the instruction will not be mandatory in cinema halls when Vande Mataram is played as part of a film or newsreel.

It further states that on occasions where the national song is performed, the official version must be rendered first, followed by...