Jhanda uncha rahe hamara…

Jasmine Singh

Vijay vishwa Tiranga pyara, jhanda uncha rahe hamara…

Shyamlal Parshad from Kanpur wrote this song in 1924. On some patriotism-soaked days like August 15, you can hear the re-hashed version of this song, either on the radio, or on a dance or music reality show. Sometimes you can also hear yourself humming this number.

Barring August 15, October 2 or January 26, which have been the other days when you have held the Tiranga in your hand? When was the last time you swelled in pride seeing the miniature plastic version of Tiranga on your dashboard? The answer is better kept unsaid. Well, the symbol of our nationalistic pride certainly doesn't have takers on regular days. Also, the numberof such takers seem to be on the decline, especially in the Tricity.

Order for patriotism

We agree that patriotism cannot be defined by number of people buying or selling the National Flag; however, it is still an indicator. Ram Nath, chairman, Punjab Khadi Mandal, has an objective take on this. He doesn’t get into the degree of patriotism; however, he certainly tells us how important or less important the tiranga has become. “First, all government offices and general public can only use a Tiranga that is ISI approved. This Tiranga is available at 29 various khadi outlets across Punjab. But barring the government offices, none cares about the norms,” shares Ram Nath.

So, as per the guidelines, the Tricolour that you procure or sell should be of quality cloth and colour approved by the Government of India. Also, it has to be made within designated dimensions, which is a 6 by 9, 2 by 3 or 4 by 6. “How can you stop people from buying flags that are sold on the traffic lights, made out of plastic, and that too on a day like August 15, the one day when they feel patriotic about their own country,” Ram Nath’s smile does manage to concede the irony behind this bout of nationalism.

But, don’t just blame the government offices for making a last minute dash to the khadi centre. How many of us keep Tricolour with us! Not many, except for a few like Harpral Singh and his family in Patiala, or Damodar Roop in Palsora. These two families have been making Tiranga for almost three generations now, on a no-profit, no-loss basis.

A few good men

Harpal Singh and his extended family in Patiala bear the production cost of making thousands of National Flags all by themselves. “We use bamboo paper, silk, cotton, khadi, jute paper to make miniature flags, which we then sell to the stationary, confectionary shops and petrol pumps. “My flags costs anywhere between Rs 10-50 on regular days and on August 15, however, the price will be Rs 100 or more depending on the size,” shares the man who works as an electrician. “My maternal grandfather’s brother was part of the national movement, this is the least that I can do for my country,” adds Harpal, who along with his entire family makes only Tiranga throughout the year.

Damodar Roop from Palsora does the same. This family on the other hand uses only paper and plastic to make miniature flags. “The ones you can pin up on your clothes or place it in the car,” he shares, clueless about any guidelines that need to be taken into account while designing the National Flag.

Damodar and his three sons and two daughters sell them on various traffic signals across Tricity. “Not many people buy Tiranga otherwise, except for August 15 or January 26, when this family makes somewhere between Rs 2,000-3,000 a day.

It wouldn’t be surprising, however, to see a huge wholesale, retail and supply market for the National Flag, which by the way is huge in Punjab, Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Mohammad Ikram of Rana Enterprises, Malerkotla, Punjab is flooded with orders for the National Flag, closer to January 26 and August 15. But as for the rest of the year, “We make flags for the Indian Army besides their battalion flags. The Army requires the Tiranga throughout the year. Rest educational institutions and government offices ask for it only during the Independence Day and Republic Day.”

jasmine@tribunemail.com