Hyderabad | Aug 14: Independence Day celebrations are marked by patriotic fervour, flag hoisting and the display of the Tricolour across the country. But what happens to the National Flag once the celebrations are over?
Seeking to draw public attention to this often-overlooked aspect of patriotism, PR CommUNITY, a platform of PR and Corporate Communications professionals, has invited Shri Priya Ranjan Sarkar of West Bengal, popularly known as the “Flag Man”, to Hyderabad to create awareness about the respectful handling, care and dignified disposal of the Indian National Flag.
The initiative carries a simple but powerful message: CELEBRATION ENDS. RESPECT CONTINUES.
As part of the initiative, representatives of PR CommUNITY and Shri Sarkar will also visit schools to engage with students and create awareness about the correct display, handling and respectful disposal of the National Flag. The objective is to make respect for the Tiranga a habit rather than a once-a-year sentiment.
Shri Priya Ranjan Sarkar has travelled from Howrah to Hyderabad at the invitation of PR CommUNITY as part of its public-awareness initiative on respectful handling of the National Flag.
He is accompanied by his brother Shri Ranabar and interpreter Shri Saikat Banerjee.
Local individuals associated with the initiative, including Mr. Philip Joshua, Dr. Ankit Bhatnagar and D. Ramchandram, among others, participated in the awareness programme and media interaction.
The interaction seeks to draw attention to one simple question: WHAT HAPPENS TO THE TIRANGA AFTER THE CELEBRATION ENDS? The initiative reminds citizens that patriotism does not end when the flag is lowered. The Tiranga deserves respect not only when it flies, but also when its journey ends.
The people behind the initiative said that this programme is only the beginning of a larger and sustained public-awareness effort.
According to Mr. Philip Joshua, Dr. Ankit Bhatnagar and D. Ramchandram, the group had reached out to several individuals and organisations associated with the subject, including Mr. Naveen Jindal, the Flag Foundation of India, defence personnel, Shri Priya Ranjan Sarkar and others who have been actively associated with promoting respect for the National Flag.
The idea was to bring together knowledgeable individuals and experts for a day-long public-awareness workshop on the Indian National Flag, covering its history, significance, proper display, respectful handling and dignified disposal.
“Since the initiative was conceived close to Independence Day and the time available was limited, it was not possible to materialise the larger workshop immediately,” they said.
However, they emphasised that this would not be a one-time initiative. “We intend to continue this public-awareness effort for at least the next two to three years. Our objective is to gradually build greater awareness and encourage citizens, schools, institutions, organisations and communities to understand not only the pride of flying the Tiranga, but also the responsibility of respecting it.”
The group is now planning to organise a full-day public-awareness workshop around Republic Day, bringing together relevant experts, defence personnel, educators, institutions and others associated with the subject.
The proposed programme is expected to focus on: The history and significance of the Indian National Flag ; The Flag Code of India; Proper display and hoisting ; Important dos and don’ts ; Respectful handling of the Tiranga ; Awareness among children and young citizens ; Frequently asked questions and Care, collection and dignified disposal of flags after celebrations
The organisers said the long-term objective is simple: KNOW YOUR TIRANGA. RESPECT YOUR TIRANGA. Because patriotism should not end when the celebration ends.
The people behind the initiative have painstakingly collected information from various sources including the websites https://www.mha.gov.in/en/
To reinforce the message visually during the media interaction, the organisers created and displayed a series of placards carrying simple yet powerful messages:
1.CELEBRATION ENDS. RESPECT CONTINUES. RESPECT THE TIRANGA. ALWAYS.
2.DON’T THROW THE TIRANGA ON THE GROUND.
3.COLLECT IT. RESPECT IT. DISPOSE OF IT WITH DIGNITY.
4.AFTER THE CELEBRATIONS, RESPECT MUST CONTINUE.
5.FOLLOW THE FLAG CODE OF INDIA AND MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS GUIDANCE.
The entire awareness initiative was built around one core message: THE TIRANGA DESERVES RESPECT NOT ONLY WHEN IT FLIES, BUT ALSO WHEN ITS JOURNEY ENDS. The initiative is a Public Service Initiative by PR CommUNITY.
Shri Priya Ranjan Sarkar, a 39-year-old contract employee of the Government of West Bengal’s Irrigation and Water Works Directorate and a resident of Bally, Howrah, has spent the past 14 years collecting abandoned, discarded and damaged National Flags and ensuring that they are treated with dignity and respect.
His unusual and deeply personal mission has brought him widespread recognition. His story has also been featured in National Geographic India’s Independence Day special documentary Tiranga. He has also been a Padma Shri nominee in the past.
A childhood experience that became a lifelong mission. Shri Sarkar’s journey began when, as a child, he saw his mother pick up a National Flag that had been discarded among rags.
When he asked her why she had done so, she told him that the Tricolour represents the soil of the country and deserves the same respect as one’s own mother. Those words stayed with him.
What began as a personal response to seeing discarded flags has now become a 14-year mission to collect National Flags abandoned after public celebrations and to create greater awareness about respecting the Tricolour even after its ceremonial use is over.
Over the years, Shri Sarkar says he has collected around one lakh discarded Tricolours, many of them found on roadsides, in drains and other places following Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations.
Some flags have been soiled or severely damaged. “I have had to discard many since they were picked from sewage lines. I usually bury such pieces together as they emanate a strong stench when kept at home,” Shri Sarkar has said.
His work is now supported by around 50 volunteers, popularly known as “Maa er Prerona”, who assist him in collecting discarded flags and spreading awareness.
Patriotism does not end when the flag is lowered. Shri Sarkar believes that patriotism should not be confined to Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations.
“People can show respect to their motherland by picking up even one discarded Tricolour. They do not have to collect thousands,” is the message he seeks to convey.
During his Hyderabad visit, he shared practical information with the media and the public on the proper handling, display, storage and dignified disposal of the National Flag, including important dos and don’ts under the Flag Code of India, 2002 and applicable guidelines.
The MHA states that the display, use and hoisting of the National Flag are governed by the Flag Code of India, 2002 and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. Its current resource page also provides official FAQs, salient features and the 2022 amendment.
Shri Sarkar particularly appealed to citizens to avoid the indiscriminate use of plastic National Flags, which can become waste after celebrations.
He believes that greater awareness at the community level is needed, including encouraging people to use the National Flag responsibly and ensuring that flags used during celebrations are collected afterwards rather than being left on roads, streets and public spaces.
He also advocates greater awareness among schools, institutions and communities about the importance of treating the National Flag with dignity.