The New Naval Ensign - Nishaan

It is 2^nd September’2022……..It is a day of pride and honour to all the Indians. It is The Day, when we left behind the remnant of our colonial past and proudly flagged our rich Indian Maritime Heritage up.

Yes, we are talking about the new Naval Ensign, NISHAAN which was unveiled by The Prime Minister Mr. Narendra  Modi at Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi during the commissioning of the indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant on 2^nd September’2022.

Naval Ensigns are flags that naval ships or formations bear to denote nationality. The erstwhile Indian Naval ensign included the National Flag in the upper left canton, red vertical and horizontal stripes and a golden yellow State Emblem superimposed on the intersection of the red stripes. The national motto 'Satyamev Jayate' engraved in the Devanagari script was included underneath the State Emblem. This White ensign has been flown by all formations, ships and establishments of the Indian Navy till September 1, 2022.

This change was due for a long time though. The Indian Navy’s ensign has changed five times before this. After Independence, in 1950, the ensign was changed with the Indian national flag replacing the Union Jack in the canton (top left corner). In 2001, St. George’s cross was replaced with the naval crest in the middle of the flag but the changes were reversed in 2004, when the cross was brought back along with the Ashoka emblem. In 2014, ‘Satyamev Jayate’ written in Devanagari script was included below the Ashoka emblem.

The new naval ensign “NISHAAN” is identified nationwide with the Navy, now comprises of two main constituents – the National Flag in the upper left canton, and a Navy Blue – Gold octagon at the centre of the fly side (away from the staff). The Octagon is with twin golden octagonal borders encompassing the golden National Emblem (Lion Capital of Ashoka – underscribed with ‘Satyamev Jayate’ in blue Devnagri script) resting atop an anchor; and superimposed on a shield. Below the shield, within the octagon, in a golden bordered ribbon, on a Navy Blue background, is inscribed the motto of the Indian Navy ‘Sam No Varunah’ in golden Devnagri script which is a prayer to the God of water Varuna…. “Be auspicious unto us Oh Varuna”. The design encompassed within the octagon has been taken from the Indian Naval crest, wherein the fouled anchor, which is also associated with a colonial legacy, has been replaced with a clear anchor underscoring the steadfastness of the Indian Navy.

The Navy Blue colour of the above octagonal shape depicts the Blue Water capabilities of the Indian Navy. The blue octagon encasing the national emblem depicts the eight directions (four cardinal and four intercardinal) and has been included as a symbol of the Navy’s “multidirectional global reach and multidimensional operational capability”. The Octagon also stands for good fortune, eternity, and renewal and draws positive energy from all directions.

The twin octagonal borders draw their inspiration from Shivaji Maharaj Rajmudra or the Seal of Chhatrapati Shivaji, who is considered to be one of the prominent Indian kings with a visionary maritime outlook, who built a credible Naval Fleet that earned grudging admiration from European Navies operating in the region at the time.

As part of the endeavour to move away from the colonial past, it was felt that transition to a new design that drew inspiration from our history was very much needed. Design inputs were invited from the entire Navy. The Navy received overwhelming responses from naval personnel from all formations and various hierarchies and has helped in developing the new naval ensign. The new Naval White Ensign NISHAAN is, thus, rooted in the glorious maritime heritage of India, as well as reflective of our Navy’s present-day capabilities. 

If we only salute Nishaan and don’t bow down to Vikrant, the journey remains incomplete. We will come back soon with our utmost pride “Vikrant” soon.

It is 2^nd September’2022……..It is a day of pride and honour to all the Indians. It is The Day, when we left behind the remnant of our colonial past and proudly flagged our rich Indian Maritime Heritage up.

Yes, we are talking about the new Naval Ensign, NISHAAN which was unveiled by The Prime Minister Mr. Narendra  Modi at Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi during the commissioning of the indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant on 2^nd September’2022.

Naval Ensigns are flags that naval ships or formations bear to denote nationality. The erstwhile Indian Naval ensign included the National Flag in the upper left canton, red vertical and horizontal stripes and a golden yellow State Emblem superimposed on the intersection of the red stripes. The national motto 'Satyamev Jayate' engraved in the Devanagari script was included underneath the State Emblem. This White ensign has been flown by all formations, ships and establishments of the Indian Navy till September 1, 2022.

This change was due for a long time though. The Indian Navy’s ensign has changed five times before this. After Independence, in 1950, the ensign was changed with the Indian national flag replacing the Union Jack in the canton (top left corner). In 2001, St. George’s cross was replaced with the naval crest in the middle of the flag but the changes were reversed in 2004, when the cross was brought back along with the Ashoka emblem. In 2014, ‘Satyamev Jayate’ written in Devanagari script was included below the Ashoka emblem.

The new naval ensign “NISHAAN” is identified nationwide with the Navy, now comprises of two main constituents – the National Flag in the upper left canton, and a Navy Blue – Gold octagon at the centre of the fly side (away from the staff). The Octagon is with twin golden octagonal borders encompassing the golden National Emblem (Lion Capital of Ashoka – underscribed with ‘Satyamev Jayate’ in blue Devnagri script) resting atop an anchor; and superimposed on a shield. Below the shield, within the octagon, in a golden bordered ribbon, on a Navy Blue background, is inscribed the motto of the Indian Navy ‘Sam No Varunah’ in golden Devnagri script which is a prayer to the God of water Varuna…. “Be auspicious unto us Oh Varuna”. The design encompassed within the octagon has been taken from the Indian Naval crest, wherein the fouled anchor, which is also associated with a colonial legacy, has been replaced with a clear anchor underscoring the steadfastness of the Indian Navy.

The Navy Blue colour of the above octagonal shape depicts the Blue Water capabilities of the Indian Navy. The blue octagon encasing the national emblem depicts the eight directions (four cardinal and four intercardinal) and has been included as a symbol of the Navy’s “multidirectional global reach and multidimensional operational capability”. The Octagon also stands for good fortune, eternity, and renewal and draws positive energy from all directions.

The twin octagonal borders draw their inspiration from Shivaji Maharaj Rajmudra or the Seal of Chhatrapati Shivaji, who is considered to be one of the prominent Indian kings with a visionary maritime outlook, who built a credible Naval Fleet that earned grudging admiration from European Navies operating in the region at the time.

As part of the endeavour to move away from the colonial past, it was felt that transition to a new design that drew inspiration from our history was very much needed. Design inputs were invited from the entire Navy. The Navy received overwhelming responses from naval personnel from all formations and various hierarchies and has helped in developing the new naval ensign. The new Naval White Ensign NISHAAN is, thus, rooted in the glorious maritime heritage of India, as well as reflective of our Navy’s present-day capabilities. 

If we only salute Nishaan and don’t bow down to Vikrant, the journey remains incomplete. We will come back soon with our utmost pride “Vikrant” soon.

@Sanchita Roychowdhury

GOPSAI AVINANDAN SANGHA

Editor