‘Tiranga is the biggest brand, it doesn’t need marketing’
Amid the mega outreach exercise of the national flag reaching a crescendo with the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign and the criticism from some sections that we are moving in the direction of western countries such as the US, where people are free to do anything with it, industrialist and former MP Naveen Jindal said diginity and respect for the Tricolour is paramount.
“Every country has its own culture and values. We have plenty of means available to show respect to our national flag. I think dignity and respect for the national flag is paramount and it should never be compromised. Similar arguments were made when we fought for the right to display the flag. Every Indian loves the Tiranga and gives it the honour and respect it deserves,” said Jindal, who is the chairman of Jindal Steel and Power Ltd.
“After that judgement, I established the Flag Foundation of India along with my wife Shallu Jindal in 2005, to popularise the display of the Tiranga by more and more Indians, with a great sense of pride and dispel any misconceptions. I believe that we have been successful in bringing the message and values of the Tiranga to every Indian. It took time but you really can see the change. From a sports victory to a mountain expedition, from public buildings to small market places, from school functions to selfie points, Indians have really been showing their love and faith for the flag. It binds us all together,” he added.
Jindal has appreciated the Centre’s move of taking up the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign. “It’s a dream come true for me to see the Tiranga reaching every household of the nation,” he added.
Commenting on whether we we moving towards a branding or marketing of the national flag in the process, Jindal said the national flag is our identity; it represents our aspirations and dreams. “Ourrelationship with the national flag is straight from the heart. From a world cup cricket victory to amarathon to a protest to a victory march, people display the national flag as a means to express theirlove and association with the flag; they articulate and express their relationship with the nationthrough the Tiranga. In fact, Tiranga is the biggest brand from India and it doesn’t need marketing; it is brand India,” he added.
Regarding the recent amendment of the flag code that now allows it to be machine-made and the criticism from some sections about the addition of polyester, Jindal said the latter is out of ignorance.“The national flag is the most solemn symbol of our great nation. It should not be restricted tocertain materials, rather liberalised. The amendment only reaffirms what was already clarified by the Union ministry of home affairs in 2005, that neither the Prevention of Insult to National Honour Act 1971, nor the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 impose any restriction on the fabric to be used for the national flag. Khadi was a symbol of India’s freedom struggle. But with changing times, we must move ahead and embrace all that is good and progressive,” he added.
