The Business Bytes
Bhubaneswar/Patnagarh, October 2, 2024 (TBB Bureau): The Flag Foundation of India, led by industrialist and philanthropist Naveen Jindal, achieved a significant milestone on Wednesday with the installation of its 150th Monumental National Flag Pole in Patnagarh, Balangir. This towering structure stands as a proud symbol of national pride and unity.
The inauguration ceremony was marked by the presence of Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Balangir MP Sangeeta Kumari Singhdeo, who jointly unveiled the 108-foot flagpole and hoisted a grand National Flag measuring 36×24 square feet.
The event was attended by key dignitaries, including Balangir Collector Gaurav Shivaji Ishlawar, Superintendent of Police Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo, Patnagarh Sub-Collector Amit Kumar Nayak, DRDA PD Prabhat Mahapatra, and Major General Ashim Kohli, CEO of the Flag Foundation of India. Around 3,000 enthusiastic citizens, students from local educational institutions, and senior officials from the local administration were also present to witness this momentous occasion.
Deputy Chief Minister Singh Deo lauded the efforts of the Flag Foundation of India under the leadership of three-time MP and Jindal Steel & Power Chairman Naveen Jindal. He commended Jindal’s dedication in championing the right of every Indian citizen to hoist the national flag with dignity. Singh Deo also urged the people of Patnagarh to uphold and cherish the flag as a symbol of patriotism and a source of inspiration for future generations.
In her address, MP Sangeeta Singhdeo expressed the significance of the day for Patnagarh, calling it a historic moment. “The national flag is not just our identity, but a symbol of our unity. By raising it high, we honor the sacrifices of those who fought for our freedom,” she said.
The installation drew thousands of people from Patnagarh and surrounding areas, who gathered to pay their respects to the national flag. The local police administration played a key role in ensuring the smooth conduct of the event, and the collective efforts of the Flag Foundation of India were widely praised.
There is growing hope that this monumental flagpole will transform the identity of Patnagarh, becoming one of its defining landmarks and a lasting symbol of national pride.
Jindal Steel & Power President and Group Head (CSR), Prashant Hota, who coordinated the event, shared that Naveen Jindal, as President of the Flag Foundation of India, has been a tireless advocate for every Indian’s right to proudly display the national flag. Since its inception in 2009, the Foundation has successfully installed 150 monumental flagpoles across the country, including seven in Odisha.
This latest installation in Patnagarh not only reinforces the town’s connection to national heritage but also contributes to the broader mission of fostering patriotism and unity across India.
