VASCO/PONDA: With national flags still flying high on several houses in the port town, MLA Krishna `Daji’ Salkar on Wednesday appealed to the people to remove them, while, Social activist Xencor Polgi submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Collector to request people to remove flags from their houses.
Salkar said that after the tremendous participation of the people during the three-day “Har Ghar Tiranga” campaign, many people are yet to remove the flags, which were hoisted on their houses since August 13. He said that though we understand the sentiment and emotion of the people, the campaign was only for three days and many people still kept flags flying on their houses and establishments.
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Salkar urged the people to remove the flags from the houses, shops and vehicles and to fold them in an orderly manner apprehending that continuing hoisting the tricolour could be an offence and people may face action by authorities.
The MLA also disclosed his plans to start a collective drive for flags or to set up a collection centre at Vasco for the people to deposit their flags.
On the other hand, Polgi in his memorandum to the Mormugao Deputy Collector requested him to take immediate steps to national flags.
Stating that ignorance cannot be an excuse of insult national flags, Polgi said that he will go house to house requesting people to remove flags from their houses and to keep them folded properly.
The Ponda locals were also upset to see the Tiranga still hoisted on some homes.
Though these people have no bad intentions, Pondaites feel that in order to protect the honour of Tiranga, the government should issue proper directives to the public to remove the national flag and keep it safely in order to maintain its honour dignity and respect.
It may be recalled that in response to the appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hoist ‘Har Gar Tiranga’ on the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Celebration of India’s Independence several people hoisted the Tiranga from 13 to 15 August. However though many people removed the Tiranga and kept it safely in their homes, some others delayed in removing it.
Sandeep Parkar from Khandepar said “many people were unaware of the guidelines and at some places, local politicians had distributed the flags free in their constituency. They should have at least directed their party workers to collect these flags or asked people to remove and keep the Tiranga safely at their homes.”
Viraj Sapre of Ponda told Herald that, “People have unknowingly kept the flags and the Deputy Collectors and Mamlatdars should create awareness among the masses about respecting the tricolour and keeping it safely in their residence.”
