TRYST WITH TRICOLOUR- Naveen Jindal

Tiranga: Uniting India with Pride. Naveen Jindal’s pursuit to fly the flag at his factory led to legal battles, highlighting its significance beyond rulers. He won the case, making it a fundamental right for all Indians. Today, the Tiranga symbolizes unity, patriotism, and hope, empowering a billion dreams.”

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose had a dream – to witness the Indian Tricolour proudly hoisted on the Red Fort. This dream finally became a reality on 16th August 1947, when Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru unfurled the National Flag, marking India’s independence from British rule. Since then, every year on 15th August, the Indian Prime Minister unfurls the flag at the Red Fort, reaffirming our commitment to preserve the hard-earned freedom.

A glance through history reveals that the flag always belonged to the ruler and not the people. From Ram Rajya to the Mughals to the British Empire, the flag represented power, victory, and conquering armies. It was never associated with the common man. However, the true essence of a nation lies not just in its boundaries, but in the shared values, beliefs, and sacrifices of its people. The National Flag serves as an emotional anchor, symbolizing both territorial sovereignty and the emotional integrity that binds us as one nation.

My fascination for Tiranga and its colours began in childhood. However, it grew stronger during my time in the US in 1990, where I witnessed the deep passion, the Americans had for their flag. Upon returning to India, I wanted to display the Tiranga at my factory in Raigarh. However, I faced legal hurdles due to the restrictive flag code that allowed flying the flag only on ceremonial occasions. I believed that if democracy is true “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” then the flag should belong to the people who struggled and made sacrifices for independence

Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and Sarojini Naidu’s vision of a common flag that unites all Indians, I challenged this unjust law in the highest court of the land. Eventually, on 23rd January 2004, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India recognized the flying of the National Flag as a Fundamental Right under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, affirming that the flag belongs to the people of this country.

Today, I take immense pride in seeing our Tiranga fly high. It is not just a symbol of our success and unity but also an embodiment of the passion and patriotism of our youth. I fly the flag at my home, office, and all my industrial establishments as a reminder of my responsibility towards the nation.

In my journey to promote Tiranga, I have met numerous people, including Rahul Gandhi, who suggested the installation of monumental flagpoles in Delhi. Following his inspiring idea, the Flag Foundation of India has installed 72 monumental flagpoles across the country, including a 207-foot-tall one in the heart of New Delhi. Six decades after independence, the aura of our Tiranga has grown even larger. It continues to be the symbol of hope and unity for over a billion people, empowering their dreams and aspirations. Let us take pride in our flag and strive to be the change we want to see.

JAI BHARAT, JAI HIND.

20th December 2005: A HISTORIC DAY IN DEMOCRATIZING OUR TRICOLOUR

20th December 2005 leaves an imprint in the history of the democratization of the Indian National Flag. On this day, the Government of India amended the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act-1971, which enables every citizen to display the national flag (Tiranga) on clothes above the waist with due respect. Democratization of the Indian National Flag has always been a priority issue for the President of the Flag Foundation of India, Mr Naveen Jindal. He fought a decade-long legal battle to empower every citizen to fly and display our National Flag with pride, dignity, and honour.

Mr Naveen Jindal always wanted citizens to display the Tiranga to show their respect and pride towards the nation. After he joined the

Lok Sabha as a newly elected MP after winning the 2004 general elections from Kurukshetra Constituency, he was informed that a Member of Parliament cannot wear the Tiranga on the clothes under rule 349 (XIV) of the House. Mr Jindal filed a petition to the chair for permission to wear the National flag and got the resolution passed in the Parliament. In line with the action, he got amended the Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act-1971 on 20 December 2005, which allowed citizens of India to wear the National Flag above the waist.

The landmark decision helped to take the message of patriotism to every Indian and strengthened the roots of Indian democracy. Let us all cherish this historic day and pledge to continue to wear Tiranga on clothes and feel proud.

Flag Foundation of India dedicates monumental flag at AFMC, Pune

108 ft Tall Tricolour unfurled by Mr. Naveen Jindal, President, FFOI

The Flag Foundation of India (FFOI) continues its mission to promote the display of the Indian National Flag with pride and honour, and to raise awareness about its significance. On the Platinum Jubilee Celebration of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, FFOI dedicated another Monumental Flag, which was dedicated to the nation by Mr Naveen Jindal.

Established on May 1, 1948, AFMC is a renowned medical institution that provides world-class education and training to medical and nursing students. The institution is known for producing the best doctors and nursing staff, not only in peacetime but also during times of war.

The Monumental Flag dedication ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including Lt Gen. Daljeet Singh, DG-AFMS, Lt Gen. (Retired) D P Vats, Rajya Sabha MP, and Lt Gen. Narendra Kotwal, Commandant of AFMC, Pune, along with other senior distinguished officers of the Indian Army.

When we stand below the flag, we must recognize our responsibilities as citizens to make this nation great.

In his speech, Mr Jindal expressed his gratitude for being part of the platinum jubilee celebration and acknowledged the instrumental role that AFMC has played in serving the nation. He said, “The Indian National Flag symbolizes unity and equality among all citizens of India. The FFOI is committed to promoting the significance of the tricolour and instilling respect for it among the people of the country.” later on he added “ The FFOI is running the Pledge for Tiranga Campaign, I urge you all to visit the website of FFOI and take the pledge and spread the word about the pledge to your close ones. The Pledge says- ‘’I take a pledge that I will dedicate myself to the nation and work for the good of my country”.

“When we stand below the flag, we must recognize our responsibilities as citizens to make this nation great. Tiranga also reminds us that nothing is more paramount than the country and the flag”, Mr. Naveen Jindal further added.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajya Sabha MP and former AFMC Director, Lt Gen. (Retd) Dr. DP Vats said, “I appreciate the outstanding work being carried out by FFOI under the guidance of Mr Naveen Jindal to install Monumental Flags across the country. I would like to see the chapters about the journey of Tiranga in school textbooks so that the next generations must know the significance of the Indian National Flag”.

About Flag Foundation:

The Flag Foundation of India was set up as a registered society under the Society’s Registration Act of 1980, a non-profit body after Mr. Naveen Jindal won a decade-long court battle that enabled all Indians to display our National Flag with honor and pride at their homes, offices, and factories on all days of the year. On 23rd January 2004, after a decade-long legal battle fought by Mr. Naveen Jindal (Industrialist, sportsman & Member of Parliament), the Supreme Court of India ruled that the display of the national flag by every citizen on all days of the year, a fundamental right. Thereafter, he founded the Flag Foundation of India, a non-governmental institution.

The Tricolor is a common factor of inspiration for every Indian; it is indeed a true expression of pride for our motherland. To take this victory beyond pure symbolism and translate it into action, the Flag Foundation of India is undertaking various projects motivating the people of our country to draw inspiration from the National Flag and work for the betterment of the nation.

Monumental National Flag Hoisted at Puri

Hon’ble Governor Prof. Ganeshi Lal hoisted a Mammoth 36 ft x 24 ft Tiranga on a 108 ft high monumental flagpole installed by Flag Foundation of India (FFoI) at Batagaon Chhak, Puri town.

Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Governor Prof. Ganeshi Lal profusely praised the Flag Foundation of India and its president Mr. Naveen Jindal for installing monumental flags across the country for arousing the spirit of patriotism among Indians. Installing the National Flag at Puri, the land of Lord Jagannath, is synonymous with the universal brotherhood and peace that the Tiranga stands for, he added.

FFoI’s President Shri Naveen Jindal said, “Tiranga is a pride of all Indians. It is above political, social or religious affiliation. Flag Foundation of India is constantly making an effort to inspire all Indians, especially the youth to take pride in displaying the National Flag. I hope this monumental flag will add colours to the beautiful skyline of Puri, the abode of Lord Jagannath. Every day, thousands of devotees and tourists visit Puri and this monumental flag will be another place of attraction for them”.

Mr. Jindal paid his tributes to the Martyrs Sri Jayee Rajguru, Sri Chakhi Khuntia Freedom Fighters Pancha Sakha and others from Puri and spoke about his decade-long struggle to give the rights of flying the national flag with dignity to each Citizen of the Country.

The monumental flagpole has been installed in collaboration with the National Highways Authority of India and the Puri District Administration. A District Police team equipped with a Police band conducted the raising of the monumental National flag of 36 x 24 ft to the peak of the Pole of 108 ft.

About Flag Foundation of India (FFOI)

The Flag Foundation of India was set up as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act of 1980, a non- profit body on 3rd June 2003. Shri Naveen Jindal won a decade-long legal battle when the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India delivered the historic judgement on 23rd January 2004 enabling all Indians to display the National Flag with respect, dignity and honour thus becoming a fundamental right of every citizen. Inspired by the judgment, the ‘Flag Foundation of India’ was established by Shri Naveen Jindal and Smt. Shallu Jindal with a vision to popularize the display of the Tiranga by more and more Indians, with a great sense of pride.

Installation of the monumental flag is part of FFOI’s sustained endeavour to inspire Indians to take pride in displaying the National Flag and build a relationship of today’s youth with the Tricolor.

Tiranga is a symbol, that unites us in diversity; It serves as a great source of inspiration for countless Indians, spread across the globe, bringing laurels to the country in whatever field they are. In an endeavour to promote the use of the national flag by the general public, the Foundation has been organizing talks on the subject and has released books on the National Flag as well as CDs/ DVDs of patriotic songs rendered by noted singers of India. Flag Foundation has also organized several Tiranga runs in Delhi and Haryana and has installed more than 100 monumental flags across India.