The Flag on my Sleeve

The last one week, there have been two stories, one about the Govt order to stop the cricket team from having the Indian Flag embossed on their costume and helmets, and the other one about Govt of India, asking Narain Karthikeyan stop from wearing the helmet with the tricolor.

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Narain Karthikeyan's helmet banned (F1racing.net)
The government has banned India's first ever Grand Prix driver, Narain Karthikeyan, from using his patriotic helmet Livery in F1. It decreed last week, citing an existing 'flag code', that all Indian sport stars - including cricketers - may not bear the 'Tricolour' on clothing or equipment.

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Hmm.... what am i supposed to do with the flag ?
From the time i can remember, we always held the Indian flag, tricolor, or thiranga as it is called in hindi, with the greatest of respect. It was difficult to acquire one and only on the two national holidays, Jan 26th and Aug 15th, the public was allowed to hoist the flag. It was always so distant growing up. We admired the flag from a distant, but always wanted to wear it, color ourselves in it.
The 2002 Supreme Court ruling changed all that. Thanks to efforts of Navin Jindal .

But, we are still no there. Where we can wear the flag on our sleeves and feel proud of it. We are still shackled by an elite few, who feel they know best how to respect the flag. A flag does not be desecrated by an action of a few. But a flag bearer can feel voilated and defiled if he/she is pulled up for such silly and arcane reasons.

Lets hope that we will be rid of this farce, soon. I hope people like Narain Karthikeyan and the Indian Cricket team stand up and not give in to this.