45 X 30ft National Flag Hoisted
Mr. Naveen Jindal, President, Flag Foundation of India (FFI) and former MP hoisted a mammoth 45 ft X 30 ft National Flag on a 100 feet monumental flagpole at the Convention Centre in the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) and KIIT University in the presence of Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KISS & KIIT; Smt. Saswati Bal, President, KIIT & KISS Society; Padma Bibhushan Mr. Raghunath Mohapatra, eminent Odia sculptor; Dr. Angela Gomes, Magsaysay Awardee and social activist, Bangladesh; Mr. Mounir Ghabbour Hanna, Chairman & CEO, JW Marriote, Renaissance, Sonesta Hotel, Cairo; Mr. Hara prasad Dash, eminent writer and other dignitaries.
The 100 feet monumental flagpole is the tallest in Bhubaneswar and the second monumental flag by FFI in Odisha after the 207 feet monumental flag installed at Angul. The monumental flag was hoisted on the 68th Republic Day as a part of the 13th anniversary celebration of the historic judgement by Supreme Court of India on January 23, 2004.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Jindal said, “Tiranga belongs to all of us equally. When a person displays his national flag, he rises above political, social or religious affiliations. The Tiranga unites us in diversity; it is every citizen’s pride”. He urged all Indians, especially the youth, to proudly display the Tiranga and show love and respect for our National Flag throughout the year. This is the first monumental flag of Bhubaneswar, which will inspire thousands of youths and students of KISS, as well, to go forward and contribute to the nation building, he added.
Dr. Samanta appreciated Mr. Jindal for honouring his commitment before the students made exactly six months ago during his visit to KISS last year. Mr. Jindal had announced to install this monumental flag during his visit to KISS on July 21, 2016. The monumental flag is made of knitted polyester fabric called ‘Deneir Polyester’. The Chakra of the flag is printed by using specialized printing process.
The FFI has also installed 52 more monumental flagpoles of 100 feet high and 12 monumental flagpoles of 207 feet high across the country. In all, FFI has installed 66 monumental flagpoles in India, which is the highest number in the world for a country. Besides India, there are 13 more countries, which have got such monumental flagpoles.
The concept of the monumental flagpoles in India was conceived and introduced by the founder of the Flag Foundation, Mr. Naveen Jindal on 23rd January 2009. The first monumental flagpole measuring 207 ft. high was installed at Kaithal, Haryana. Mammoth sized National Flag on such lofty height is known as ‘Monumental Flag’, which is not lowered at the sunset as they are adequately illuminated even during night. This was introduced after a policy decision by the Ministry of Home Affairs on 23rd December 2009, which allowed the National Flag to fly day and night on a flagpole of a height of 100 ft. and above with proper illumination.