‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ catching momentum but supply does not match demand

Issues like GST, ISI mark & low quality are forcing people to buy whatever flag is available in the market

The campaign of ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ is gaining momentum and the demand for the national flags is soaring but unfortunately the supply is less. The flag prices have increased but people are still purchasing it. Low quality of the flags is also a major issue.

Issues like GST, ISI mark and low quality are forcing people to buy whatever flag is available in the market.

“The response to Har Ghar Tiranga is massive. Usually, during this time of the year, people visit our store for festival clothes shopping. This time around, customers are excited about celebrating I-day by hoisting the national flag. There are flag purchases and enquiries about ropes and other things needed,” said Sunil Biyani, owner of Rashtriya Khadi Bhandar.

Biyani added that they produce Khadi flags ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 1000. “ Customers prefer 1218, 1820, 24*36 sizes. We have increased our timing of production and my people are willingly doing this job with no additional incentives to spread the Khadi revolution. The process is lengthy and we want to make our customers get the feel of Swadeshi goods and patriotism. We have maintained the prices while also sticking to our standards. We are trying our best to meet the expectations of the citizens,” he said.

Girish Padmakar Murudkar, owner of Murudkar Zendewale said, “Usually every year the production is 2 to 3 per cent but this year it has increased by 30 per cent. We have kept flag ranging from Rs 20 to 2000. The prices have increased due to increase in the cost of yarn and other raw materials. Flags are brought from Gujarat, New Delhi and South India.”
He added that political parties, organisations and educational institutions have given huge orders but the supply is less.

“The production has increased and number of labourers working at mills has increased and so are their wages. Usually, Rs. 800 is paid for daily bases and currently considering the demand, the amount has been increased to Rs 2000. Due to this campaign, many self-help groups, tailors as well as semi-skilled labourers have got employment and or able to get money. I appeal to people to avoid using the plastic and unwoven flag which are in market as it may harm our environment. Let us spread swadeshi products too.”

The postal department has been given the task of distributing flags but it was witnessed that the postal officials are approaching the local shop keepers to provide them with the national flags as the demand is huge.

CITIZENS’ VOICES

“I have always dreamt of hoisting the national flag at home. This campaign has helped my dream come true. Such initiative helps to spread awareness about Swadeshi goods, apart from nurturing patriotism,” said Rajendra Kakade, a businessman.

“The prices of the flags have increased. It is a good initiative but more planning was required. The preparations for the campaign should have started long before because now people are compelled to buy whatever is in the market. Low quality flags are being bought at high prices. People are just recovering from the pandemic and there is recession to handle, but in the name of GST, ISI marks, extra money is extracted,” said Vivek Bargude.

Girish Padmakar Murudkar, founder president of Bharat Flag foundation shared few tips to safeguard and spread awareness of Swadeshi.

• Follow the Flag Code of India 2002 as well as the Prevention of Insults to National honour Act, 1971.
• Beware of fabrics that is being used or sold.
• Do not use such flag for gift wrapping purpose.

Chaitraly Deshmukh-Tajane