A GR states that the word ‘Hello’ is imitation of Western culture and just a “greeting without any specific meaning and does not evoke any affection”
Nagpur/Mumbai: The Maharashtra Government on Saturday issued a Government Resolution (GR) making it mandatory for all employees working in government and government-funded institutions to use the greeting ‘Vande Mataram’ instead of ‘Hello’ while receiving telephone or mobile phone calls from citizens or government officials.
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22 April 2025
The General Administration Department of The State has issued a circular asking all the Government/Semi-Government offices, Government aided offices, local bodies, schools/colleges, and all undertakings to use the greeting ‘Vande Mataram’ instead of ‘Hello’ over telephone/cellphone calls.
The GR also asked officials should also create awareness among the people, who come to meet them, to use ‘Vande Mataram’ as a greeting. The GR states that the word ‘Hello’ is imitation of Western culture and just a “greeting without any specific meaning and does not evoke any affection.”
This proposal was initially mooted by Maharashtra Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar soon after he was sworn-in recently. He later backtracked and said that any equivalent word reflecting nationalism can be used.
The GR further said that various meetings also should start with ‘Vande Mataram’. The announcements at bus stands of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation, Anganwadis, health workers also should use ‘Vande Mataram’ in communication with people, states the circular. In Government offices various greetings are in use because there is no clear directive as to which greeting should be used commonly, added the GR.
