Hyd: Bengal ‘Flag Man’ urges citizens to respect Tiranga after celebrations
Hyderabad, Aug 13 (TNT): West Bengal’s “Flag Man” Priya Ranjan Sarkar, who has been collecting discarded National Flags for the past 14 years, on Thursday urged citizens to ensure the Tricolour is handled and disposed of with dignity after Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations.
Sarkar, who is in Hyderabad at the invitation of PR CommUNITY as part of a Tiranga awareness initiative, appealed to people to avoid indiscriminate use of plastic National Flags and collect flags left on roads and public places after celebrations.
Speaking to reporters, the 39-year-old government employee from Bally in Howrah, said he had collected around one lakh discarded flags over the years with the support of nearly 50 volunteers.
“My ambition is to spread the message of dignified disposal of the National Flag across the country and to build a ‘Bharat Mata Temple’ in West Bengal,” he said.
Sarkar said he would also collect abandoned and roadside flags for a month from August as part of his continuing campaign.
The initiative, organised with the message “Celebration Ends. Respect Continues,” focuses on awareness about the proper display, handling, storage and dignified disposal of the National Flag in accordance with the Flag Code of India, 2002 and related guidelines.
Sarkar said his mission began in childhood after he saw his mother pick up a discarded National Flag from among rags. Her explanation that the Tricolour represented the country’s soil and deserved the same respect as one’s mother inspired him to begin collecting abandoned flags.
He has since collected flags found on roadsides, in drains and other public places following national celebrations.
His work has been featured in National Geographic India’s Independence Day documentary Tiranga, and he has also previously been nominated for the Padma Shri.
Representatives of PR CommUNITY, including Philip Joshua, Dr Ankit Bhatnagar and D Ramchandram, said the initiative would include visits to schools to create awareness among students about the correct display, handling and respectful disposal of the National Flag.
They said the campaign would continue for the next two to three years, with a larger awareness workshop proposed around Republic Day involving experts, defence personnel, educators and other stakeholders.
The proposed workshop will focus on the history and significance of the National Flag, the Flag Code, proper display and hoisting, dos and don’ts, respectful handling and dignified disposal.
The organisers urged citizens to familiarise themselves with the Flag Code of India and Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines, and stressed that respect for the Tiranga should continue even after the celebrations end.
“Know your Tiranga. Respect your Tiranga,” they added.
TNT TS
