Environmental Push: Cloth Flags Only as Odisha Celebrates National Flag Day

Odisha’s government announced an eco‑friendly rule for the upcoming National Flag Day: only cloth flags are permitted. Chief Minister Mohan Chandra Majhi emphasized that the use of plastic banners contradicts the spirit of patriotism and harms the environment. During the August Revolution Day ceremony, the CM called on the state’s 45 million residents to replace plastic with fabric, ensuring that every village, town and home can proudly display the tricolour without polluting the planet. He described the flag’s three hues – saffron for valor, white for truth and peace, green for prosperity – and the Ashoka Chakra as a beacon of duty. Majhi also warned youths about the perils of false information on social media, substance abuse, and covert external pressures, urging them to stay focused on national pride. The day’s festivities included a vibrant march of students, NCC cadets, scouts, cultural troupes, and popular sports figures, all carrying cloth flags while chanting "Bharat Mata Ki Jai".