Flag Protocols: The Significance of Hoisting and Unfurling the National Flag in India

On Independence Day, the Prime Minister raises the flag from the base of the pole in a ceremonial fashion. This event often features a military or civilian honor guard, which solemnly raises the flag while the national anthem is played. The act of hoisting the flag on Independence Day is deeply symbolic, representing the emergence of a new nation, the spirit of patriotism, and the triumph of freedom from colonial rule.

In contrast, on Republic Day, the flag ceremony is led by the President, who unfurls the flag that has been kept closed and tied at the top of the flagpole. The President unfolds the flag without the need to hoist it up the pole. This ceremonial unfurling on Republic Day commemorates the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1950. The gesture of unfurling the flag serves as a reaffirmation of the commitment to the principles enshrined in the Constitution, underscoring the transition from a colonial past to a sovereign, democratic republic.

The two distinct practices of hoisting and unfurling the flag on these national days carry profound meanings. On Independence Day, the hoisting signifies the birth of a free nation and a new beginning for its people. On Republic Day, the unfurling of the flag symbolizes the maturation of that nation into a republic governed by its own constitution, emphasizing the dedication to uphold the values of democracy, justice, and equality as established by the founding document of the nation.