Read Indian Navy's Changed Flag, What does the new symbol mean, when and what changes took place

The new flag will free India from its colonial past and showcase India’s rich maritime heritage. Now all warships, ground stations and naval airbases will be seen flying the Navy flag.

While addressing the nation from the Red Fort on August 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that we have to move forward with the resolve of 100% freedom from the mentality of slavery. Today, in every field, India is moving in step with the superpowers of the world. But till now the flag of Indian Navy had a symbol of slavery attached to it. It is now being removed. Today on September 2 Indian Navy is getting a new flag.

The Navy flag will now be seen flying in a new form on all warships, ground stations and naval airbases. This is not the first time that the flag of the Indian Navy has been changed. Even before this, Indian Navy’s insignia has been changed four times. Let us know, when and what changes took place and what the new flag of Indian Navy means.

What is the new Navy flag like?

The picture you see above is the Navy’s new flag. In this, the already existing cross, which was the symbol of the British era, has been removed. After the cross has been removed, the Indian Navy crest has been incorporated into the mark, symbolizing an anchor. A new naval insignia is being received during Vikrant’s commissioning programme.

When did the identity of the Navy change?

1950 – The tricolor is added to the Navy’s emblem in place of the Union Jack.

2001 – The St. George Red Cross is removed from the Navy’s flag. 2004 – The St. George Red Cross returned to the Navy mark. 2014 – Satyamev Jayate was also written under the Ashoka symbol. 2022 – Cross removed and crest included.

What does the new flag mean?

This change in the naval flag sends a clear message that we must remove the symbol of slavery. As PM Modi said in his address from Red Fort. If you look at the current flag, the cross in it resembles the national flag of Britain. A red cross on white is known as St. George’s Cross. The St. George Cross is named after a Christian saint who is believed to have been a warrior of the Third Crusade. The national flag of England also bears the same symbol of the St. George’s Cross.

Now all warships, ground stations and naval airbases will be seen flying the Navy flag. The new flag will free India from its colonial past and showcase India’s rich maritime heritage.

Inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji

The Navy’s new flag features the tricolor of India at the top corner. The other half has the Navy crest. This blue symbol is in the shape of an octagon, which represents the Indian Navy’s reach in all four directions and four corners i.e. eight directions. Below this octagonal insignia is inscribed the naval aphorism ‘Sham no Varuna:’ in Devanagari. This aphorism means – may Varuna, the god of water, be auspicious to us. Varuna is considered to be the god of water in Indian ancient tradition.

The octagonal symbol with two golden borders on the edge is inspired by the shield of Chhatrapati Shivaji, the country’s greatest Maratha warrior. The same Shivaji, whose visionary maritime vision established a reliable navy. With 60 warships and 5000 troops he challenged the invading external forces by sea.