Hope has travelled 2,000 miles from China to keep India’s largest Tricolour fluttering in Ranchi.
Light-weight synthetic fabric, made in a country famous for its cost-effective innovations, is on its way to the state capital via an importer in New Delhi. The fabric in national colours will be stitched into a flag for another historic hoist at Pahari Mandir by mid-April and is expected to bear the onslaught of gusty winds unlike its three times heavier polyester predecessor.
Hari Jalan, the treasurer of Ranchi Pahari Mandir Vikas Samiti, conceded that engineers had recently advised use of a lighter fabric after the frequent fluttering fiasco, The Telegraph reported.
“Weight of the flag and wind pressure are two major concerns. After consulting several experts, we came to know of a special Chinese fabric, which is both light and durable. A Delhi-based importer has procured and parcelled it for us. The parcel will reach us by this weekend. We shall get it stitched by city tailors. The Ashok Chakra on the flag too will be printed here,” he said.
Jalan maintained that the present polyester flag, which boasts protection from harsh UV rays and hence guarantees no quick colour fade, is heavy at 60kg. “The new flag of same dimensions (99ft by 66ft) won’t weigh more than 22kg. Going by the promise of the light-weight fabric, it will resist wind pressure when atop the 293ft-tall flagpole at Ranchi Hill, which is again situated 2,140ft above the sea level,” he said.
Speaking on costs, the Pahari Mandir treasurer said it would be easier on the pocket. “Fabric import and tailoring expenses are unlikely to exceed Rs 60,000 per flag. Currently, we are spending Rs 85,000 on each order.”
Jalan admitted that maintenance problems that might surface were not known to anyone when the idea of hoisting India’s and even the world’s largest Tricolour was mooted. “Now that we have assumed responsibility, we will have to find cost-effective ways to keep the flag fluttering,” he said.
The Pahari Mandir management has reasons to believe that every flag made of the Chinese fabric will endure wind pressure for two months at a stretch. “If our experiment with the first flag is successful, we will immediately order another consignment to stitch more flags,” Jalan said.
Reminded that the national flag to remain hoisted 24×7 should be illuminated properly too, he said, “Landscaping around Ranchi Hill is going on. At present, there are 20 yellow incandescent lights atop the flag mast. Soon, they will be replaced with white fluorescent ones. By mid-April, we shall put up the new flag and install more lights.”
The giant pole currently hosts no flag. The Tricolour hoisted on February 28 – the fourth time since its debut on January 23 – suffered tear again on March 6 and was brought down on March 7.
“We have a new flag in hand and are trying to hoist it every day, but the wind is playing spoilsport. Every time we are trying to put up the flag, it is getting stuck in nearby trees. Our trial is on,” Jalan added.