This article first appeared on MSN:
http://content.msn.co.in/Contribute/Sports/UCStory5577.htm
The recent controversy with Sania Mirza with her leg near the flag was indeed sad. I could immediately think of two things - Was it the photographer who took the picture in such a way that it showed her in poor light or what was she thinking when she put her leg. Did she even notice that there was a flag or was she engrossed in her game?
Coming from the world we are in, we all know that we are prone to criticism and if you are celebrity then, you have to pay the price for it. I am sure the poor girl enjoyed all the adulation when the whole nation rejoiced her wins and also called her beautiful but one slip and she had to hear it all. She panicked like any of us would. When we with all our dreams and pressures have our problems then, I think it is best to give her the benefit of doubt. I can imagine myself panicking and going haywire when a whole lot of people scrutinize every move and always expect the best from me. I don't think any of us is an exception. I see a lot of kids getting into trouble because they just cannot handle the pressure. I read about Britney spears everyday, then, poor Sania was perhaps innocently putting her feet up. I really can't tell from the pictures if her feet was really touching the flag. If it was then, she is in trouble because even as kids we are taught the dos and don't s with flags.
But, when I see that a whole generation does not really know much about not just Indian flag but about respecting flags in general then, I wonder why she should be singled out. I still see many people sporting Indian flags on t shirts while the code of flag clearly states that only people representing India like the sportsmen can wear flag pictures on their attire . I see many paper flags lying about after any public rally when it is actually disrespectful and clearly against law. Many political parties in India still have some pictures in place of the Ashoka Chakra while rallying for elections - I have always wondered if it is against the flag code because the flag code clearly states that any kind of lettering cannot be there on the flag. If so, then, is a picture allowed?? I don't know. But, there is a special flag code which is hardly ever heard of. Flags should not touch the floor, ground, or water. They should not be on the hood/sides/back of vehicles or trains. Flags made of plastic should not be used as disposal is a problem (plastic is not bio degradable). There is even a law saying that flowers or garlands cannot be on the flag and if there is flag flying then, there cannot be a banner flying higher than that. Also pictures of flag on underwears or garments worn below the belt bring disrespect to the flag. Having said this, these things have to be learnt at school. I remember learning about respecting the Indian Flag and also how we take care of flags in general no matter to which country it belongs/ to which institution. People learn and forget or they just stop caring. They (flags) are usually lying in the floor or gathering dust. Sometimes, we reason out saying, it is OK because it is only in our house and no one is watching except us. But then, are we not sending out wrong signals to our kids who are watching us. Flags are there to bring in easy identification of the country/state/institution. The colours, the structures and almost everything in the flag speaks of the country and so, it is about all of us. There are people who study a great deal about flags and they are called vexillologists. Well, I am not one but just wonder when people in general know very little about flags and when one person slips the whole generation bring out all they know about respect/dignity and even go to the extent of calling the person a traitor. Please, it is about time we as people of India learn a little about our own flag and understand why we have three colours and how many spikes our Ashoka Chakra has which by the way, not many people knew when a popular music channel took a survey. And yes, Ms Mirza, nobody doubts your patriotism but please look before you put your foot any where.
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