Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the new flag of the Navy. INS is the first indigenously built aircraft carrier in the country. The new flag was also unveiled at the commissioning ceremony of Vikrant. The ship was officially handed over to the Navy and Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the new flag of the force to the nation. This is the fourth time since independence that the Navy’s flag has been changed.
The Navy’s new flag will be a fitting tribute to India’s rich maritime heritage. Not only that, the change in the Navy’s flag is part of a move away from India’s colonial past. The new flag was selected from 10 designs.
The Prime Minister is undertaking extensive efforts to remove the vestiges of India’s colonial era. This was also stated in this year’s Independence Day speech. The Navy’s new flag is inspired by the founder of the Maratha Samaj, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The flag is designed with the national flag on the top right side of the flag and the anchor within a blue octagonal symbol on the left side with the national emblem above it.
It includes the Navy shield and motto. The flag features the naval motto ‘Sham no Varuna:’ in Devanagari script and the national motto ‘Satyameva Jayate’. The eight directions in the print stand for the Navy’s ability to reach all eight directions and their operational excellence. The royal seal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is an octagonal symbol with double gold edges. The eight directions represent luck, eternity, renewal and positive energy from all directions.
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The earlier flag had horizontal and vertical red stripes on a white background with the Ashoka pillar at the intersection and the national flag at the top left. It resembles the national flag of England. The horizontal and vertical red lines symbolize St. George. It is known as St. George’s Cross. It belongs to the colonial past.
After independence, on 15 August 1947, the Indian Defense Forces used British colonial flags and badges. 26th January 1950 to switch to Indianized pattern. On that day the insignia and flag of the Navy were changed. But the only difference made to the flag was that the Union Jack was replaced by the Tricolor and the St. George Cross was retained.
Story Highlights: PM Narendra Modi unveils new naval ensign, here’s why it is significant