I grew up hoisting ‘Tiranga’ since last 60 years, it’s a routine event for me, writes Sunanda Gupta

Aug 5: “জাতীয় পতাকা” or the “National Flag”, now popular in the 21st century India as “तिरंगा” (Tiranga) has been part of the ethos in which I grew up. My father being a Freedom Fighter imbibed in me the value and relevance of the National Flag (Tricolour) in the lives of every Indian. As such, 15 August and 26 January, were two such days, when since my childhood, I have seen my late father hoisting the Tricolour in the early morning after taking bath.

The hoisting of the National Flag on the Independence Day and Republic Day was no mundane event. It was rather a sacred moment, when I along with my parents made preparation atleast 2 days in advance. I still remember when I was a school student in the 1960’s, my father used to make a temporary altar in the yard of our house every year. I used to sit and watch how ‘Baba’ (Father) used to make it and then limewash the altar and a tall bamboo for the purpose of hoisting the flag. As a small child then, it was indeed an event of great curiosity for me.

The making of the altar and the colouring of bamboo pole were done by Baba usually from 13 August and 24 January every year. We all used to sleep early on 14 August and 25 January so that we can all wake up early in the morning the next day and take bath and be prepared to hoist the tricolour in our house at the specific time notified by the government. “The National Flag” is as sacred as any God. The altar where the flag was hoisted was regarded no less than a temple. So after taking bath, I accompanied my parents in the front yard of our house. Then we used to open our slippers and go barefoot and hoist the National Flag. We also used to sing the National Anthem. Watching these rituals in connection with celebration of Independence Day and Republic Day, sometimes I used to feel that hoisting the tricolour on these two days was so sacred and similar like going to a pilgrimage.”

My Baba, Late Satyendra Kumar Sen was honoured by the then Govt of India and Govt of Assam by giving him ‘Tamraptra’ for his contribution to the Freedom Movement. The entire life I saw him using only Khadi clothes. Probably, the environment in which I grew up also instilled in me the love for my nation. That is why, when we were asked to apply for NRC, I felt a pain in my heart. My Baba fought against the British and courted imprisonment for more than 5 years. And now when the country for which he fought was asking his daughter to prove her citizenship was indeed a matter of irony. My Baba expired in 1990. At times I feel that had he been alive, he too ought to have submitted application to prove that he is a bonafide citizen of the country for the liberation of which, he sacrificed his career!

2022 marks the 75th year of India’s independence. Our Prime Minister has come up with the concept of ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’. Since then, our state government too has shown much enthusiasm in popularising the notion of ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ among the inhabitants of the state. The Govt notification stated: ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ is a campaign under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to encourage people to bring the Tiranga home and to hoist it to mark the 75th year of India’s independence. Our relationship with the flag has always been more formal and institutional than personal. Bringing the flag home collectively as a nation in the 75th year of independence thus becomes symbolic of not only an act of personal connection to the Tiranga but also an embodiment of our commitment to nation-building. The idea behind the initiative is to invoke the feeling of patriotism in the hearts of the people and to promote awareness about the Indian National Flag.”

But for people like me, the relationship with the flag has always been more personal than being formal and institutional. Patriotism is what we have imbibed from our childhood. We never waited for Govt dictum to hoist the tricolour on 15 August and 26 January. This I feel like my right to do so. This year too, at the age⁸ of 67, I will definitely hoist the “জাতীয় পতাকা” (National Flag). Obeying the govt directives, the tricolour will flutter in my house from 13 August to 15 August. I do wish that all Indians too will hoist the tricolour irrespective of whether there is any Govt order to do so or not. For loving own’s country or in other words ‘patriotism’ is an emotion which comes from within, irrespective of any Govt dictum. Long live India……

The writer is a retired teacher of a LP School in Silchar.