Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai, Oct 2: The Maharashtra government on Sunday launched a campaign encouraging people to say “Vande Mataram” instead of “Hello” when receiving calls.
“Vande Mataram means we are bowing before our mother. Hence, it is our appeal to the people to say Vande Mataram instead of Hello,” said state Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar.
A Government Resolution (GR) issued on Saturday directed Maharashtra government employees and officials to greet people with “Vande Mataram” instead of “Hello” during official or personal calls. This is not mandatory, but department heads should encourage it,GR said.
“Hello depicted western culture and the word did not have any specific meaning. The word is just a formality which does not arouse any emotion,” he added.