The Indian National flag which stands for our freedom, democracy and republic, withstands vagaries of nature when it is atop a flagstaff.
To ensure that its dignity is always maintained, an Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi start-up SWATRIC has collaborated with the Flag Foundation of India to develop a top-notch and advanced textile solution.
A MoU to this effect was recently signed between FITT, IIT Delhi and FFI for the purpose of doing research and development activities for the material for the flag.
Considering the varied climatic conditions and geographical attributes of India, there is need to design and develop engineered fabric for the flag. The objective is to select and design material which will be durable and withstand the extreme weather conditions without being heavy.
Explaining the reason for the research, Prof. Bipin Kumar Mentor of Textile and Fibre Engineering Department of IIT-D and also SWATRIC Mentor, in statement issued by the Institute, said: “It is the need of the hour to help manufacturers with a proper standardization and core subject knowledge or skills on technical yarns and fabrics to improve the quality of the flag fabric.”
Rao praised the collaboration and observed: “India has the potential to be the global leader in technical textiles. The Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering at IIT Delhi has been constantly working in the field of smart and functional textile projects, actively supporting the National Technical Textiles Mission to empower Indian Textile sector through 'Make in India' technologies for various applications ranging from geotextiles, defence, sportswear, smart wearables, medical, composites, transport, protection, packaging, etc.”.
FFI’s CEO, Major General (Retd.) Ashim Kohli, CEO sharing his views on this MoU stated: “We have always been facing a challenge of obtaining good quality flags. It is indeed a proud moment for us to work with IIT Delhi’s experts on developing appropriate technologies, which are relevant to the country’s pride.”
A non-governmental organisation, the Foundation’s objective is to popularise the display of the Tiranga or Tricolour Flag, by more and more Indians, with a great sense of pride.
It may be recalled that while on January 26, 2002, citizens of India were allowed to fly the flag throughout the year, the Supreme Court in its historic judgment on January 23, 2004, held that the right to fly the national flag freely, with respect and dignity, is a fundamental right.
The start-up SWATRIC, started by IiT-D’s researchers works to help Indian domestic textile and garment industries in commercializing new and competitive categories of the smart and functional products.
