Raise the red flag: Is our flag respected?

The nation was high on patriotism for the Republic Day as the Delhi Republic Day Parade had the President of the United States of America Barrack Obama in attendance along with the President of India Narendra Modi and Defence Minister of India Manohar Parrikar. The cheer was felt in schools and colleges across Goa with children and youngsters full heartedly participating in the parades and singing the National Anthem. But on the day that follows, after the celebrations are done with, the same colours of saffron, white and green lose their charm and relevance. Though it is legally punishable to disrespect and dishonour the flag, there is not much awareness about the Flag Code of India and the Indian National Anthem Code of Conduct. Shriram Kuste, an engineer from Ponda, recently filed a police compliant against the organisers of a leading EDM Festival for disrespecting the National Flag. “I visited their website last week and came across pictures of the Indian Flag. Everybody should respect our Indian flag as martyrs have lost their lives to protect the flag and the country. There are rules laid down to respect the flag and we were taught about it right from our school days. It is high time we teach our children to show their love for the Indian Flag.” Shruti Mahambrey from Bicholim says, “It has been noticed for many years that people, especially parents, buy small plastic flags on national days. The children happily bring them to school, play with them and the next day, just throw them away. It is just for the purpose of enjoyment and the flags are treated as toys in the hands of children. Even the posters and manifesto printed during the election time carry images of the Indian tricolour. After election, there is no value for the posters.” Cannigia Carvalho, a practising lawyer, says, “Republic Day of India is celebrated to honour the date on which the Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950 as the governing document of India. Of late, what I see is that this day is just like any other working day, especially for those selling the Indian tricolour flags. The Government should take strict action as The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 clearly states if anyone found guilty of mutilating, defacing, defiling, disfiguring, destroying, trampling the Indian flag is liable for imprisonment for up to 3 years or fine or both. The lack of fear of consequences is the reason laws in India are never taken seriously by many.” Mira Parmekar, a student at Goa University, feels that once you start working, there is hardly a chance to sing the National Anthem on Republic Day. “Republic Day has now become just a national holiday. Patriotism runs high as students in schools and colleges. We are all proud citizens of our country, disrespecting the Indian flag is of course disrespect to the value we have in calling ourselves Indians and anyone doing so should be legally punished.” A veterinarian and an avid movie goer, Gayatridas Gauthankar was shocked when he noticed that people at theatres didn’t have the courtesy to stand still for the National Anthem. “This is something I observed in a cinema brand in Goa. People carry eatables into the theatre hall and as the National Anthem starts, people are busy holding the same and in that process half the Anthem is over. We are taught in school that we should stand still and bear nothing in hands while the Anthem is being sung. A possible solution to this problem to utilise the holders available on each seat for the purpose they are there, but I hardly find anyone doing it. I am not in favour of the National Anthem in theatres as it is not getting its due respect.” While we all hold great respect for our country it is our responsibility to ensure that every symbol of our nation receives the respect it deserves, by us and others.