NEW DELHI: I-Day is just two days away. There will be thousands of fluttering flags all over India — on masts, cars, houses, in the hands of joyous children... And yet, the real flags used on this historic occasion in 1947 are missing. Three of them, in fact. Shocking, but true.
On August 14, 1947, at the stroke of midnight, India’s first PM Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the first tricolour in the Central Hall of Parliament. The next day, the Union Jack was lowered and the tricolour hoisted in its place at India Gate at 8.30 am. It was hoisted also at Red Fort on August 16 at 8.30 am. One historic occasion, three flags. But no one knows where these flags are.
Neither are there any official records about their whereabouts, nor are they at any of the addresses which could possibly have these historic mementos — Red Fort, Nehru Memorial, National Archives, National Museum, MEA toshkhana and museums at Rashtrapati Bhawan and Parliament.
Ambika Soni, Union minister for tourism and culture, says, "The flags hoisted in 1947 should be traced. We are writing to the defence ministry for help. Flag hoisting was always an exercise carried out by the defence wing."
Incidentally, the ministry of culture is gearing up to commemorate 150 years of 1857, the first war of Independence. Soni adds, "These flags would be great assets to showcase during the celebrations."
But Lt Gen M G Girish, D G Ceremonial, Army Headquarters, says the Red Fort function in 1947 was more political than an army one. "But we are also trying to locate it."
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