Flag Foundation of India (FFI) president and former MP Naveen Jindal hoisted a mammoth 45-ft X 30-ft National Flag on a 100-ft monumental flagpole at the Convention Centre at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) and KIIT University in the presence of KIIT & KISS founder Dr Achyuta Samanta, KIIT & KISS Society president Saswati Bal, eminent sculptor Padma Bibhushan Raghunath Mohapatra, Magsaysay Awardee and Bangladesh social activist Dr Angela Gomes, Chairman & CEO, JW Marriote, Renaissance, Sonesta Hotel, Cairo, Mounir Ghabbour Hanna and eminent writer Hara Prasad Das on the Republic Day on Thursday.
The flagpole is the tallest in Bhubaneswar.
Jindal said, “When a person displays the National Flag, he rises above political, social or religious affiliations. The Tiranga unites us in diversity; it is every citizen’s pride.”
Dr Samanta appreciated Jindal for honouring his commitment before the students made six months ago during his visit to the KISS last year. Jindal had announced to instal this monumental flag. The flag is made of knitted polyester fabric called ‘Deneir Polyester’. The chakra of the flag is printed by using specialised printing process.
In all, the FFI has installed 66 monumental flagpoles in India which is the highest number in the world for a country. Besides India, there are 13 more countries, which have got such monumental flagpoles. The concept of the monumental flagpoles in India was conceived and introduced by Jindal in 2009. This was introduced after a policy decision by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, which allowed the National Flag to fly day and night on a flagpole of a height of 100 feet and above with proper illumination.