Feature

Our National Flag

Amanat Ahmed

Above: First flag of Bangladesh designed by Quamrul Hasan

The Great Liberation War in 1971 is a golden chapter in our history. With the glorious victory in the War, we achieved independence, our own sovereign country, a map and a flag. Like all other nations, Bangladesh also follows certain approved rules as regards the size, design, colour of the National Flag and the manner of hoisting it. As citizens of this country, it is very important that we learn about those rules so that we can show due respect to our National Flag.

The National Flag of Bangladesh was first designed by artist Quamrul Hasan. The original flag as designed by the artist is different from today's one. A golden map of Bangladesh was embroidered in the red circle.

However, there is also a little piece of history in the backdrop of our flag. On 3rd March 1971, the flag of Bangladesh was first hoisted on the Dhaka University campus, popularly known as Bat-tala. On 7th March 1971, the flag was hoisted in the historical meeting at the then Ramna race-course. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman hoisted the flag of independent Bangladesh at his residence, 32 Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka, on 23rd March 1971. On 14th April, the flag was hoisted when the Mujibnagar Government assumed its responsibilities.

However, in 1972 our flag got the present look through PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH FLAG RULES, 1972. According to the rules, the National Flag should be bottle green in colour and rectangular in size in the proportion of 10:6, with a red circle in the middle. The red circle should have a radius of one-fifth of the length of the flag. Its centre should be placed on the intersecting point of the perpendicular drawn from the nine-twentieth part of the length of the flag, and the horizontal line drawn through the middle of its width.

The background colour symbolises the greenery of Bangladesh with its vitality and youthfulness while the red disc represents the rising sun and the sacrifice our people made to obtain our independence.

Above: Flag of Bangladesh since 1972

There are few rules regarding positioning, hoisting and maintaining the dignity of the flag. The 'Flag' should be flown only from sunrise to sunset except on cars, vessels and airplanes, provided that the 'Flag' may be flown at night on buildings on special occasions, such as the night session of the Parliament or the swearing-in-ceremony of the President or of Cabinet Ministers. There should nothing be written or imprinted on the 'Flag' nor should any mark be made on it on ceremonial or any other occasion.

The 'Flag' should never be dropped over the hold, topside or back of a vehicle, railway train or boat. The place of honour has to be reserved for the 'Bangladesh Flag' when flags or colours of other foreign countries accompany it. If there are only two flags or colours the 'Bangladesh Flag' shall be flown at the right of the building. When the number of flags is more than two the 'Bangladesh Flag' shall be placed at the centre and if the number of flags is odd; it shall be flown as the first to the right of the center. No other flag or colour can be flown above the 'Bangladesh Flag'.

When the flag of any other country is flown together with the 'Bangladesh Flag', the latter should be hoisted first and lowered last. The flags when flown at half-mast should first be hoisted to the peak and then lowered to the half-mast position. The 'Bangladesh Flag' should again be raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. The 'Bangladesh Flag' should never be carried flat or horizontally but always aloft and free. The 'Bangladesh Flag' should not be hoisted, displayed, used, stored in such a manner as will permit it to be easily torn, soiled or damaged in any way. The 'Bangladesh Flag' shall be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.

It is unfortunate that though we are citizens of this country, most of us do not know the proper rules in order to show the due respect to our National Flag. We must not forget that the Bangladesh Flag was earned in exchange of so many lives, so much of tears and blood. It must be given the veneration it deserves.

(9th batch, Dept. of Accounting & Information Systems, University of Dhaka)