The media reports that the Calicut University in Kerala is in soup for flying the tricolor upside down on the Independence day…The University authorities have been booked under Section 2 of The Prevention of insult to National Honor Act 1971 after a complaint was registered about the matter. The University Vice-Chancellor, Anwar Jahan Zuberi must not have expected this Pandora’s Box to open when the national flag fluttered up the flag post on the morning of August 15th. As soon as the flag reached the top, a professor present at the function noticed and pointed out the mistake, and the flag was brought down and hoisted again. But the damage was done. Whether it was patriotic zeal or just an opportunity grabbed to bring the university to books, a complaint was lodged officially by a prominent student’s union and the case is now on.

This incident is a pointer to some bitter truths. Look at the incident; the Vice Chancellor, a lady here, could hardly be expected to examine the flag beforehand wrapped up with flower petals and see whether the flag was being dealt with as per protocol. But when the incident flared up, she will automatically be the person expected to shoulder the blame as the premier of the institution. So the fault lies with real ignorance or carelessness way down the ladder of hierarchy. But how many people in our country know the flag protocol? Even the educated are almost always unaware of the respect that is commanded and demanded by the national symbols and flag.

The flag protocol demands that the ‘flag must always and at all times be treated with dignity, loyalty and respect’. The 2002 Flag Code governs the rules of display and usage of the flag. The flag is not allowed to touch ground or water, be used as drapes or clothing. The flag cannot be flown upside down intentionally or hold any other material but flower petals before unfurling. So if you have seen the flag holding color paper pieces or such articles anywhere before being unfurled, be informed that it is a gross violation of the flag code. Again, when flown out, the flag has to hoisted at sunrise and brought down at sunset, oblivious of the weather prevailing. The flag displayed should not be frayed or dirty…well I could go on and on…but how many of these things did we all know? I didn’t know some of this…I just read it in the wikipedia.

Other than being made to stand when the National Anthem is played, what gestures of patriotism does the common man observe and pass on to his children? Remember the short film on showing respect to the National anthem? An old man, probably once having known an India that was not a republic, stands up to respect the Anthem on the wayside near a slum; and a whole crowd one by one imitates the gesture…making a proud moment. We can all begin somewhere, by just bothering to read up the protocols of national symbols and observing in isolation first…There is nothing to be ashamed about showing that you are patriotic…it only shows you value your democratic freedom…Talk to those fellow humans in dictator-ruled and war ravaged nations across the world, and know the difference in the lives we lead and they do…Our country is the best…it always will be…Jai Hind!!!