To mark the 75th year of India’s Independence from British rule, the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav programme was launched by the Government of India. The Har Ghar Tiranga campaign, as a part of this programme, was started to encourage people to bring the national flag home and unfurl it there to honour the nation. Based largely on the Flag Code of India 2002, and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act of 1971, the campaign established strict guidelines for flag makers across the country, who were tasked with the ambitious work of providing flags for every home across the nation. Indian women, especially from self-help groups (SHGs), made this campaign a resounding victory through their dedicated hard work over the last few weeks. Here’s everything you need to know about the women who led this campaign with the tricolours they stitched.
1,000 Ernakulam Women Stitch Over 2 Lakh Flags
Nearly 1,000 women from the Tailoring Consortium of Kudumbashree and private homes, Ernakulam, have stitched over two lakh flags for the Har Ghar Tiranga programme. Working day and night, the women stitched the flags in 12 days, and the tricolours are now being distributed across the district. “Our country is celebrating its 75th year. It’s a historic moment. We are so happy and proud to be part of this major work,” said Divya Vijayraj, the Treasurer of the consortium.
Arunachal Pradesh SHG Women Stitch 1,200 Flags
Women from self-help groups (SHGs) from the Jesuit Social Action Wing of the Kohima Region in the state of Arunachal Pradesh joined the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign to provide a national flag to every household. The women made over 1,200 tricolours, which were handed over to the assistant commissioner of the Bhalukpong sub-division of the West Kameng district. The participant women in the SHGs belong to the Hrusso Aka, Koro Aka, Miji, Nyishi, Apatali, Galo, Monpa, Gorkha and Orang tribes of the region.
Tamil Nadu Women Make 5,000 Khadi National Flags
Women artisans from the Avvai Ashram of the Gandhigram Trust in Sivasailam, Tamil Nadu, were inspired by the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign to create 5,000 khadi flags. The flags prepared by these women will be distributed to at least five village panchayats in Tamil Nadu. The Trust trained these artisans more than a fortnight ago to stick to the specifications required for the flags. The group made at least 500-600 flags daily to meet their target.
Women From Line Of Control Region Create 20,000 Flags
Over 200 women from villages along the Line of Control are creating over 20,000 flags. The women, mostly Muslim, hail from the region of Rajouri and have completed their mission of providing every home with a flag. Across the state of Jammu & Kashmir, around 16,000 women belonging to various SHGs are engaged in the process of making flags. The women earn a profit of ₹8 on each tricolour, which contributes to their livelihood.
Coimbatore Women Make 50,000 Flags For The District
Women from self-help groups (SHGs) in the district of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu have handmade over 50,000 national flags. The women SHGs are a part of the Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihood Mission (TNSRLM), and are distributed across 85 SHGs. The women are receiving ₹2 per flag, and the value of the flag goes up if there is a pole attached to each flag.
*Image used for representative purpose only.