Sentiments
of millions of Indians are attached with the national flag of India. Should the
national flag be sold on the streets, either by street children or by general
shopkeepers? Should the national flag be sold only through Khadi Gram Udyog
Kendra, which would also generate ample employment opportunities in rural
India?
The Supreme Court in 1996
passed a landmark judgement allowing every citizen to fly the national flag
with respect, dignity and honour, thus making it a fundamental right. The Union
Government approved the recommendations of the inter-ministerial committee
headed by P. D. Shenoy and removed the restrictions on the use of the National
Flag by all Indian citizens from January 26, 2002.
National
Flag has always been a symbol of pride, patriotism and belongingness. Whether
it has been pre-independence era or post-independence, a well-laid down decorum
has been followed by all Indians across the world. In this the sentiments of
solders of India carry a special feeling and the chorus of ‘Jai Hind’ sends a
vibration in the entire country making every Indian proud.
Up
comes our Independence Day, 15th August, and people start looking
for the national flag for hoisting at their houses, offices and even their
cars.
“But
are people buying these flags out of patriotism or out of mercy on these
children? How far this is acceptable?” a question raised by child welfare
campaign “Khushi” Child Care Project.
When
the traffic light turns red and all vehicles come to a halt, these children
rush to the cars and autos while peddling small flags in their hands. These
children don’t even know what they are selling. For them, it’s a mere piece of
paper with saffron, green and white stripes that would bring them the money at
the end of the day.
“Government
is doing so much for the deprived children through Anganwadis but the children
still remain on the streets begging. Selling the national flag is equivalent to
quick money for them. Their parents are seated in shelter and they send
their children for only emotional quotient. It has become another method of
extracting money from people who get sentimental by seeing the national flag or
deprived children.” Says Pavan Kaushik, Founder of Project “Khushi”. People generally respond by saying that this is a source
of income for the kids and we should let them continue selling the national
flag. So are we now establishing the fact that child begging is a valid &
permissible source of income and we should continue to encourage the increasing
number of beggars in the country?” questions Pavan Kaushik. “If we want these
children to become assets to the nation, the emotional feeling needs to be
curbed for the betterment of these children.”
So where will the common people buy the national flag
from? “The best way to get flag without any confusion about colours, sizes,
dimensions etc. would be from the government store and nothing better than
Khadi Gram Udyog Kendras, says Project Khushi. Even the school teachers can
engage the children for making national flag for free distribution in the
vicinity. Why do you need to buy them only from the street children?”
The Supreme Court in 1996
passed a landmark judgement allowing every citizen to fly the national flag
with respect, dignity and honour, thus making it a fundamental right. The Union
Government approved the recommendations of the inter-ministerial committee
headed by P. D. Shenoy and removed the restrictions on the use of the National
Flag by all Indian citizens from January 26, 2002.
The Flag Code, established in
1950, has been amended after the historic and landmark decision of the Union
Cabinet.
The ten rupees from your
pocket won’t make much difference to you, but it would make the kid a beggar
for life. Do not encourage begging.
