On January 26th and August 15th what do we see when we step out? Beautiful tricolor paper flags all around. The whole country is riding on the waves of patriotism. As a part of Independence Day and Republic day celebrations, Indian citizens are using National flags in every corner, every crossroad, every shop, and every vehicle. Some proudly placed/pinned up on the clothes. Some one Set in cars. While some being taken right up to the office desks. The sight of the Tricolor fills pride in every heart.
Then comes August
16th and January 26th and now what do we see when we step
out? Once again tricolor paper flags all around. But this time the sight fills
every heart with remorse. The tricolor is seen in Garbage. Many unceremoniously
dump the national flag to the dustbin as a responsible citizen,
or in most of the cases it is thrown on the road, in the gutter. In keeping with true spirit of the Indian
Culture we do not even hesitate to tear it after all it’s just the tricolor.still its already February and I found alot of paper flags on the road side.
If anybody violates these rules,
it is punishable under provisions of law. All these restrictions were imposed
to protect the national honor and it is the duty of all citizens to obey them.
Please give due respect to our national flag after using it.
The National Flag
is a symbol of the Nation's respect and pride. There is a liberal use of the
flag on Independence Day and Republic day. There is a new trend of selling
flags made up of paper and plastic, which is incorrect. The Indian National
flag for the Indians, isn't pride, It’s just worth 5 Rupees and that's all. people enthusiastically buy such flags but the
very next day, we find it on the road sides stepping and stamping.
With a sense of national pride, these flags being trampled upon the road, in dustbins
and elsewhere.
Since school days
I love to attend flag hoisting for Independence Day and Republic day. I have
seen students step on national flags that fall in our school ground after
occasions such as Republic Day and Independence Day. And at present I am attending
flag hoisting in District court and now also I am facing the same situation I
have seen many people even the senior most people are just stepping the paper
flags fallen on the ground and going without noticing it. Even when we are showing
that they are stepping on flag they are smiling and asking it’s just a paper
flag why you are worrying that much?
If we hear some
one burnt our national flag in Kashmir or in Pakistan means our blood boils. But
we Indians what we are doing? The national flag must never be worn as a garment
or attached to any part of your attire. We are using flag tricolor as saree
border, using flag in T shirts, cake cuttings, applying tri colours in face, etc.,
When this is asked that are saying that they are using just imitations and one
person also questioned that ashoka chakra is not there so what’s the problem?
The
respect and patriotism that the country earns is shown towards that country’s
flag. The respective given to the flag of a country is the same as the respect
given to the respective country. The flag is more respected and seen as higher
than the leaders, government, and forces of that country. This is why at every
special event the flag is raised and honored by the leaders, government, armed
forces, and the citizens of that country.
At
present many schools are not celebrating Independence Day and Republic day
because they are treating these days as just national holidays. But parents can
do it and show your children by celebrating that this is a national festival of
India.
As you are celebrating Onam, Vishu, Pongal, Dasara, Deepavali, Christmas, Ramzan
etc celebrate these national festivals, by gathering a group of children from
your locality. I appeal all Indians that on coming August 15th
refrain from buying a paper or plastic flag instead join your school or society
gathering in hoisting the national flag. On August 15th if the
entire nation hoists the flag in this way no tricolor will be disrespected on
the following day.
Indian law says
that the flag must at all times be treated with “dignity, loyalty and respect”.
The “Flag Code of India
– 2002″, which superseded “The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use)
Act, 1950″, governs the display and usage of the flag. Official regulation states
that the flag must never touch the ground or water, be used as a tablecloth or
draped in front of a platform, cover a statue, plaque, cornerstone etc.
The Flag Code of India, 2002 containing the
provisions of the Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act, 1971 governing
the guidelines for display of the national flag of India clearly mentions that whoever
in any public place shows disrespect to or brings into contempt the national
flag shall be punished according to the law. Furthermore, the expression
‘‘Indian national flag’’ includes any picture, painting, drawing or photograph
or other visible representation of the Indian national flag, or of any part or
parts thereof, made of any substance or represented on any substance. After reading the above article still if any
one wish to buy tricolor means please follow the below guidelines:-
- When the Flag is in a damaged or soiled condition, it shall be destroyed as a whole in private, preferably by respectful burning or by any other method consistent with the dignity of the Flag. – Flag Code of India 2002, Section II, Point 2.2 (xiii)
- The flag must never touch the ground or water, or be used as a drapery in any form.
- The flag should always be flown between sunrise and sunset, irrespective of the weather conditions.
- One “reads” a flag like the pages of a book, from top to bottom and from left to right.
- Whenever the flag is displayed indoors in halls at public meetings or gatherings of any kind, it should always be on the right (observers’ left), as this is the position of authority.
- The Indian flag cannot be flown at half-mast.
- Whenever the National Flag is displayed, it should occupy the position of honour and should be distinctly placed.
- As per the guidelines of Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act, 2003, the Indian Flag shall be made up of hand-woven wool, cotton or khadi silk buntings. The flag shall not be used as a portion of a costume or uniform of any description.
Remove
National flag from top of houses and institutions after 4pm.
The national
flag must never touch the ground. If the national flag ever does touch the
ground the flag must be picked up immediately and the flag must be washed
and dried immediately if it is found to be dirty.
Do not use
National flag on vehicles after the day.
Do not use
National flag in advertisements.
When the
national flag is being raised, everyone must remain standing to show
the respect for the flag. Any damages purposely caused to the flag, the
throwing of the flag, the flag being stamped by the feet are all unimaginable
disgraces to the flag and the country.
If ever the
colours of the national flag diminish, or the flag is damaged, or the flag is
a state where it cannot be flown, the flag must be properly burned and
disposed. It must never be used as an old cloth or thrown in the garbage
bin. These actions are direct disrespect to our motherland. Collect spoil
flags and respectfully dispose them by burning of or burial. Form a group in
order to educate people on this issue and prevent disrespect of flag.
You should show respect for
your country's flag because it is your country's highest and most recognizable
symbol, and the way you treat it is representative of your attitude towards
your country. The Indian national flag embodies
the democratic, secular and liberal values enshrined in the Constitution of
India and is the symbol of our national pride. It served as a powerful symbol
of our struggle for independence and a source of inspiration for the freedom
fighters. It symbolizes unity in diversity, Indianness over individuality, and
thus calls for a deep sense of respect by each and every Indian citizen. Any
disrespect or insult to this symbol of nationalism must be reprimanded.
Freedom means more than
doing what pleases you. It aspires to make the right choice! As consumer of products and
services we value our possessions but do we treat our national flag with the
respect it deserves? We see, we
analyze, we buy and we maintain except when we need to respect! Why it was
unintentional may be carelessness! But when you have the right intention to
carefully dispose the national tricolor why not initiate?
I request to all the people of India, please do not show our
patriotism in a single day, and keep it also for the remaining 364 days. Our
national flag deserves a much better treatment than this. It needs to be
respected all the year round, every day and every moment. If we don’t respect
it who will? Please don’t buy tricolor if you cannot handle it.
It’s not enough to be patriotic only when India wins the cricket World Cup or
an Anna says I'm anti-government. Patriotism
is not a show off using head bands of I love my India, writing on faces "I love My India" or writing on T shirts "The spirit of Indian team" will not be a Patriotism."I love India" should be implicit in
the psyche of every Indian and does need not to be bandied about in the form of a
announcement.
Patriotism
is not a ritual to practice on the Independence Day or Republic day or when India wins the
cricket match. It is something that inspires us to take the initiative to
change the things which we complain everyday and move forward. Patriotism is
not just love for one’s country; it is loyalty for and devotion to the principles
and values that is linked within the country.Last but not least Don’t depict national
flag in dire ways! Love for one's country is symbolized by the respect for the
national flag. Respect for National Flag is a symbol for the moral values
of the citizens of the country. Respect our roots Identity India. Be
Indian. Behave Indian.
---------
LAST BUT NOT LEAST LET ME ADD AN QUOTE - We are very
defensive, and therefore aggressive, when we hold on to a particular belief, a
dogma, or when we worship our particular nationality, with the rag that is
called the flag.” J. Krishnamurti.
NOTE: please forward this mail to all of your friends, colleagues and circulate this mail in your office, schools, apartments etc.,
--
Aano bhadra krtavo yantu vishwatah.(- RIG VEDA)
"Let noble thoughts come to me from all directions"
REGARDS
Miss.Shaija Vallikatri Bhaskaran
-
