Respect the tricolour even after Independence-Day fete

Hyderabad: Republic Day and Independence Day are celebrated with enthusiasm. Flag sales are off the charts and many people sport mini badges and stickers. But the scene a few hours later is torn flags, flags on the ground, trampled upon, piled up in the trash, especially around schools. 

People and authorities have turned insensitive, despite guidelines for disposing damaged national flags. After the national holiday, the flags are mixed up with the waste and disposed of like any other garbage. 

“It has been seen that a lack of awareness, not only amongst the common people but also in the organisation/agencies of the government, prevails with regard to laws, practices and patterns regarding display and disposal of national flag,” said Rohan Joseph, an ex-serviceman and resident of Sainikpuri. 

According to the Flag Code of India, the flag, when it is in a condition that it is no longer fitting allegory of display; it should be destroyed in a respectful way, rather by burning or burying. 

While the national flag hoisted by the state government and its agencies (made of cloth) is stored in the designated offices and used for the two occasions, the streamers along the main roads, statues becomes part of the garbage generated and are disposed of like any other garbage, or dumped at the municipal offices. The state corporations have no alternative disposal method for national flags. 

Unlike puja collection centres, the states have not set up collection points for national flags. However, NGOs are trying to recycle synthetic flags which are commonplace these days. Unlike the traditional flags, these are made of non-biodegradable material. There are many environment clubs or NGOs which recycle these flags.