Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Aug 16: In incidents which clearly show that our National Flag is not getting the respect and dignity it deserves as per statutes, and that hoisting of the tricolour on occasions of national importance are taken casually by the concerned, incidents of faux pas were witnessed at various places on Sunday August 15.
In Bangalore, the National Flag did not unfurl when the state Chief Minister (CM), B S Yeddyurappa, pulled the rope connected to the folded flag at the Manekshaw Parade Grounds. Repeated efforts to unfurl the flag failed, and the CM was visibly angry and fuming at the apathy of the officials concerned. The authorities tried to help the CM but in vain. Then the flag was brought down, its knots were redone, after which the CM hoisted the flag, giving embarrassing moments to the top officials of the state as well as the CM, who were present.
At Beltangady, the flag staff at the office with the National Flag flying on it broke into two pieces much after the employees went home after hoisting the flag. The people, who observed it, delivered it to the taluk office.
Reportedly, the National Flag was hoisted upside down at Pilya Badriya Jumma Masjid near Aladangady. It went unnoticed till evening.
The flag hoisted in front of Aittoor gram panchayat office in Kadaba was stolen by some miscreants on Sunday afternoon. The employees of the office found to their dismay on returning after having lunch, that the flag hoisted by them had gone missing. Panchayat development officer, Annappa B K, has filed a complaint with Kadaba police station in this connection.