India's Navy has recently unveiled a new flag to replace the old one, which bore the St. George's Cross, a symbol of the British Empire's colonial past. The new naval ensign reflects India's rich heritage and the country's ongoing national endeavor to move away from its colonial past.
India's Navy Unveils New Flag to Decolonize Heritage
The Indian Navy
is the world's 7th most powerful naval force and has been using the modified
version of the British Naval Ensign since January 26, 1950. The flag, which had
the St. George's Cross and the Indian Tricolor in the canton, was replaced in
2001 with a white ensign bearing the Indian Navy crest. However, the St.
George's Cross was reintroduced in 2004 due to its indistinguishable blue
color, which easily merged with the sky and the ocean.
The new naval
ensign comprises the national flag in the upper left canton and a navy blue
gold octagon at the center of the fly side. The octagon represents the royal
seal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who built a strong navy to secure maritime
borders with his foresight. The design also includes the National Emblem, which
is the Lion Capital of Ashoka inscribed with 'Satyamev Jayate' in blue Devanagari
script, resting atop an anchor and superimposed on a shield.
The new flag is
a symbol of India's rich heritage and its desire to move away from its colonial
past. The Indian Navy officials believe that the new design draws inspiration
from India's history, and it was developed with the input of the entire navy.
The design inputs were invited from all formations and various hierarchies to
help develop the new ensign.
The navy-blue
color of the above octagonal shape depicts the blue water capabilities of the
Indian Navy. The new naval ensign also includes the navy motto, 'Sam No
Varunah,' inscribed in golden Devanagari script on a navy-blue background
within the octagon.
The new naval ensign is an important step towards decolonizing India and erasing the traces of slavery around us. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been calling for decolonization in his speeches, and the new flag reflects his vision for a modern India that embraces its heritage and moves towards a better future.
The new flag
also puts India in line with several Commonwealth countries such as Australia,
New Zealand, Canada, Pakistan, South Africa, and Bangladesh, which have already
changed their ensigns. The ensign is a national flag flown on a vessel to
indicate nationality and is the largest flag flown at the stern (rear) of the
ship while in port.
In conclusion,
the new naval ensign is a symbol of India's rich heritage and its ongoing
national endeavor to move away from its colonial past. The Indian Navy officials
believe that the new design draws inspiration from India's history, and it was
developed with the input of the entire navy. The new flag is a step towards
decolonizing India and erasing the traces of slavery around us.
