![[Indian Presidential Standard]](../images/i/in-pres.gif)
2:3, by Nitesh Dave
Last modified: 2023-08-05 by ian macdonald
Keywords: president | elephant (yellow) | lotus | ashoka lions | scales |
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2:3, by Nitesh Dave
See also:
Das (1981)
says that "when India became a republic," the flag of the President was
quarterly blue and red with charges on the four quarters in "gold line." These
are the Ashoka lions, elephant, scales, and lotus vase with the charges outlined
in yellow in all four quarters.
Joe McMillan, 27 January 2003
Quartered first and fourth blue, second and third red (ratio = 2:3)
1st quarter: state emblem (the lions of Sarnath) = national unity
2nd quarter: elephant from Ajanta frescos = patience and strength
3rd quarter: scales from the Red Fort, Old Delhi = justice
4th quarter: lotus vase from Sarnath = prosperity
Nitesh Dave, 19 Feb 2000
Some reports of this flag show the charges outlined in white, or some in white, and some in gold. Most sources seem to show them all in gold.
Possibly counter to a statement by Das (1981)
about this flag having been abandoned in 1971 is a report at
http://www.indiadefence.com/ifr_report.htm about the International Fleet
Review that took place at Mumbai (Bombay) on 17 February 2001, including the
following: "INS Sukanya, the Tacoma-designed platform converted into the
Presidential Yacht, proceeded through the lines of ships at 14 knots following
[sic--presumably "flying"] the President's Standard." If I understand this
correctly, it would mean that there *is* still a presidential flag, at least one
used by the Indian Navy, whether it's the quarterly blue and red design or
something else.
Joe McMillan, 3 February 2003
The apparent non-use of the Presidential standard shown at is supported by
the fact that the President's car at the Beating Retreat ceremony on 29 January
(2006) flew only the national flag, as did the cars of the Prime Minister and
the Minister of Defense.
Joe McMillan, 2 February 2006
The President's Body Guard (mounted ceremonial escort) at the Beating the Retreat
ceremony on 29 January (2006) was carrying its regimental standard, dark gray
with what appeared to be dark blue and gold fringe, the regimental badge (PBG
surmounting crossed lances ensigned by the national emblem) surrounded by the
lotus and ashoka leaf wreath common to other Indian regiments, and four scrolls
with battle honors on either side.
Joe McMillan, 2 February 2006
The Presidential Standard is definitely no longer in use. During the
International Fleet Review 2016 (a three-hour long video of the Review can be
found on
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Rd_RCPnpME), the Presidential car flew only
the National Flag, and displayed the State Emblem of India in lieu of a number
plate, while the Presidential yacht was likewise denoted by the State Emblem on
the sides of its superstructure rather than by a Presidential Standard.
Miles Li, 31 July 2016
![[Lions of Sarnath]](../images/i/in).gif)
image located by Esteban Rivera, 11 July 2023
The State Emblem is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath near
Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, established in IIIrd century BC to mark the place
where Buddha proclaimed for the first time his gospel of peace and emancipation
to the four parts of the universe. The national emblem is, therefore, a symbol
of the reaffirmation of contemporary India of its ancient commitment to world
peace and good will. The four lions (one unseen), which symbolize power, courage
and confidence, rest on a circular abacus.
In the original, there are
four lions, guardians of the four directions: the lion of the north, the horse
of the west, the bull of the south and the elephant of the east, mounted back to
back, on a circular abacus, which itself rests on a bell-shaped lotus in full
bloom exemplifying the greatness of life and creative inspiration. The motto
'Satyameva Jayate' inscribed below the emblem in Devanagari writing means 'only
the truth prevails'. The frieze of the abacus has sculptures in high relief of
an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull and a lion separated by outlines of the
(Buddhist) Wheel of the ("social order and the sacred") Law, dharmachakra, on
the extreme right and left was adopted as the State Emblem of India on January
26, 1950.
Source: India Book 2020 - A Reference Annual (https://pmindiaun.gov.in/public_files/assets/pdf/India_2020_REFERENCEANNUAL.pdf)
Sources:
https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/state-emblem.php,
http://india.gov.in/knowindia/state_emblem.php and
https://hi.wikipedia.org/wiki
Esteban Rivera, 11 July 2023
