Ranchi, Aug. 14: Ask a child to sing the National Song and be guaranteed he will do it. The same request put to our ministers, or those in power, will leave them fumbling. Too many weighty matters they have on their heads to remember such things.

For Madhu Koda, the state mines, parliamentary affairs and cooperative minister, the National Anthem is a song that is sung as a welcome gesture. Having made this observation, he pauses and adds most profoundly ?The National Anthem can also be said to be a song that is attached to our culture?.

When asked about the National Song, the already confused Koda answers, after some deliberations, ?The National Song is one that expresses our feelings for anything.? When asked about the wordings of the songs, he said that it could be any song expressing the above feelings.

As the country stands on the eve of the 59th Independence Day, the Jharkhand ministers and MLAs have no clue what?s the difference between the National Song or Anthem. But a request for a message to the people seems to give them a new vocal chord. Suddenly energised, they go on and on, promising good roads, adequate water and electric supply and houses to the poor.

Rural development minister Anosh Ekka made his driver stop his car when he was asked to give a message to the people for the Independence Day.

?I promise to bring water to the fields for the farmers, home and jobs to homeless and the unemployed, good roads, proper health services, education for the children living in the rural areas,? he began, and would have gone on, if not cut short. When asked about the National Song, he became quiet. ?Rashtriya Geet kya hai?? he asked someone sitting near him. He at least knew his history. ?Our National Song is Vande Mataram,? he declared. When asked to name its writer, there was again a pin drop silence. Sensing that he was a bit embarrassed, the question was changed. This time though Ekka got it right. ?Our National Anthem is Jana Gana Mana,? he said.

Rajesh Mandal, state president of the Youth Congress, said: ?I am confused when it comes to the National Song and the National Anthem. Though I know both of them but I have doubts.?