Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a new naval ensign which draws inspiration from the seal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, during the commissioning ceremony of aircraft carrier Vikrant. 

The naval ensign until now was the St George’s Red Cross set on a white background, with the national emblem placed at the intersection and the Indian flag in the top left quadrant. 

PM Modi described the adoption of new ensign as getting rid of the burden of a colonial past.

New naval ensign

• Resonant to the ongoing national endeavour to move away from colonial past, the Navy decided to adopt a new design that drew inspiration from our history. 

• The white ensign identified nationwide with the Navy, now comprises two main constituents — the National Flag in the upper left canton, and a navy blue-gold octagon at the centre of the fly side (away from the staff). 

• The octagon is with twin golden octagonal borders encompassing the golden National Emblem (Lion Capital of Ashoka – underscribed with ‘Satyamev Jayate’ in blue Devnagri script) resting atop an anchor and superimposed on a shield. 

• Below the shield, within the octagon, in a golden bordered ribbon, on a navy blue background, is inscribed the motto of the Indian Navy ‘Sam No Varunah’ in golden Devnagri script. 

• The design encompassed within the octagon has been taken from the Indian Naval crest, wherein the fouled anchor, which is also associated with colonial legacy, has been replaced with a clear anchor underscoring the steadfastness of the Indian Navy. 

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