India has a long and diverse history and culture dating back over 4,000 years. It is home to over 200 languages and many religious and philosophical traditions that have developed through a blending of internal diversity and external influences. While diversity can sometimes lead to divisions, India's shared identity is rooted in the idea of unity amidst diversity. A new proposed flag for India merges traditional Indian symbolism with a modern design, representing progress while staying connected to cultural roots and promoting positivity and national pride.

1. Do you have a flag!?*
AkshayMathur
akshay.mathur@hotmail.com
akshay.quantum@gmail.com
*Eddie Izzard (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTduy7Qkvk8&feature=related)

2. Mera Bharat Mahan
(My India Greatest)
One of the oldest civilizations in the
world, dating back to 1300BC
Home to more than 200 languages and
varied cultures – Founder of many
religions and philosophies
One of the most diverse geographies
across the world – From plains to
mountains, from deserts to snow
Diversity (and its celebration) is the soul
of India

3. Anektameinekta
(Unity in diversity)
External influences in India therefore are
Diversity tends to lead to isolation and For more than 400 years, India was
imbibed and ‘hybridized’ with the existing
marginalization - Unity in the face of diversity ruled by the Mughals followed by a long
to create a stronger hybrid resultant culture
is the bedrock of the Indian sub continent rule by the British
RudraVeena (Acoustic
instrument from Southern
India)
Sitar (Acoustic instrument
from Northern India)
Oscar winning musician, Pt. Vishva
Mohan Bhatt. Creator of the Mohan
Veena

4. Hum sabekhain
(We are all one)
Hybridization of cultures and influences
ensures a level playing field for all
Equality for all is the great Indian dream
which we continue to chase….
…in hopes of being prosperous and
‘happy’

5. ‘Tiranga’
(The Indian tricolour)
Our current flag
Saffron
Stands for dedication to work which
leads to prosperity
White
Stands for the path to truth and peace
The ‘Chakra’ stands for justice and
virtue (Also connotes movement and
the karmic cycle)
Green
Stands for the earth and our rootedness
in it (Being an agrarian nation)

6. Our new flag
The old Indian flag was adopted in 1947 to represent India’s
independence from British rule
Though India's essence remains the same, our expression
has changed significantly  Economically, Culturally and
even Politically
Our new flag represents values of ‘Bharat’ (Traditional
India) and merges it with a unique and modern expression
A leap from the existing flag rather than recreating its
identity from scratch

7. Progress and prosperity are an integral part of our DNA –
Bharatsutra The sky represents our upwards trajectory and our yearning
to go beyond
(India connect)
The earth represents our rootedness and ‘quiet ambition’;
being sons of the soil, keeping one eye on the ground
while the other on the skies is a future forward philosophy
Seamlessness between the earth and the sky represents
the coming together of polarities to create unity
The hugging pigeons represent brotherhood and
positivity…all of us might have different markings, but at
the end of the day all of us are Indian and proud to be so
Brightness in the flag connotes positivity and happiness
nSabsaathchalo, soorajkepaarchalo
(Lets move forward as one, beyond the moon, stars and the sun)

8. Jai Hind
(Salutations…India)

9. Image credits
http://z.about.com/d/geography/1/0/n/J/india.jpg
http://shettydeepak.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/slumdog-millionaire.jpg
www.hansib-books.com
http://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/CSP/CSP026/k0267252.jpg
http://www.amc.org.uk/tours/2005/images/vishwa_mohan_bhatt.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.a
mc.org.uk/tours/2005/oct_nov_dec.htm&usg=__afoypTFsOGXNq_AvkcJra6TTelk=&h=255&w=20
0&sz=13&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=Z5kHvgSqmSD8rM:&tbnh=111&tbnw=87&prev=/images
%3Fq%3Dmohan%2Bveena%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-
US:official%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1