By Arpana Adhikari
Kathmandu, Oct 1: It may come as a surprise for many, who travel along the Tinkune to Koteshwor road-section, to see the world’s only non-quadrilateral flag of a sovereign Nepal fluttering atop almost every household. Normally, Nepali people see the national flag fluttering in the residences of sitting ministers.
More than 400 households of Nawa Adarsha Marga, Samudayik Marga, Subidha Marga, Sumarga, Garima Marga, Subekchya Marga and Saraswoti Marga of Tinkune are lately hoisting the crimson flag, holding it in high honour, as it is a symbol of national pride.
Ranju Sharma, a local of Gaththaghar, Bhaktapur, who daily travels along this road-section on her way to office, is amazed to see this spectacular view for the last four months.
“I have no idea who initiated this campaign, but seeing our unique crimson flag fluttering on hundreds of households made me realise that this is the only thing that brings us all together under a single flag,” said Sharma.
The idea behind hoisting the national flag is just a symbolic gesture reminding the citizens of their duties towards the nation and showing their faith in and love for the motherland. The idea was first picked up when Sumitra Kadariya, a local of Tinkune, Koteshwor, heard Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s address on last year’s Constitution and National Day, when he asked one and all to hoist the national flag on their houses and celebrate the day with the spirit of patriotism.
“After listening to his appeal, I realised that we were the only ones who hoisted national flag in our house. There was confusion as to whether the law allows the public to hoist the national flag in their houses,” said Kadariya.
“So I decided to initiate this campaign to make the public understand that our law has actually allowed the public to keep the national flag at their household, without compromising the national pride,” said Kadariya, who is also the chairperson of the Community Development Committee of Ward-32.
When the idea was first floated the locals readily agreed to support the campaign, said Kadariya, adding that the campaign was first initiated on the Republic Day on May 28 this year. The motive behind the campaign is to instill a sense of patriotism and national pride in the people, particularly among the youth and children, she added.
To support her campaign, one of her nephews’ friends had provided 350 readymade flags free of cost. “So we provided free flags to 350 households and now the house owners will change the flag if there is any damage.” She further informed that some other organisations have also initiated the campaign.
For Balaram Mayalu, one of the locals of the area, hoisting the national flag is a matter of pride and great honour for every Nepali. Mayalu hoisted the flag on the top of his house just two days before the Constitution Day this year.
He said, “It is not just about hoisting the flag atop our household but to keep the brave spirit of our ancestors and it is our responsibility to honour the national flag duly.” Like Mayalu, more than 400 households of this ward are proudly hoisting the national flag and have expressed their love for their nation.
Attorney General Agni Kharel, who also lives in the same area, said, “Nepali citizens can hoist the national flag at their houses without posing any disrepute or offence to it. But hoisting the national flag is governed by a specific set of rules and regulations.”
The Work Procedure on the use of National Flag and National Anthem (2069) has ensured this right, he added.
Kadariya further appealed to the people to hoist the national flag atop their houses to pay tribute to the blood shed by brave Nepalis of yore who safeguarded our independence. But make sure that there is no disrespect to the flag, she added.