Indian Navy is getting rid of St George's cross from its ensign

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil a new ensign of the Indian Navy during the commissioning of the country's first indigenously-built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant on September 2.

The Prime Minister will commission INS Vikrant at Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi and during the event, he will also "unveil the new Naval Ensign (Nishaan), doing away with the colonial past," the PMO said in a statement.

The new ensign will be "befitting the rich Indian maritime heritage," the statement from the PMO said.

The current Indian Navy ensign: The Indian Navy's ensign carries a red cross, as accorded by the British during their rule over India. The ensign on the flag, the 'Cross of St George' is also seen by many as a represention of India's colonial past.

The current ensign of the Navy is a white flag with horizontal and vertical red stripes, with the Emblem of India emblazoned at the intersection of the two stripes. The tricolour is placed in the canton, reported PTI.

Changes to Indian Navy ensign: It will be the fourth time since 1950 that the naval ensign would undergo a change. On 26 January 1950, the Crown in the naval crest, depicted with an anchor, was replaced by Ashokan Lion for the Indian Navy's Emblem, reported the PTI.

On 15 August 2001, the design of the ensign was changed and the Cross made its way out of the Indian Navy crest.

But, in 2004, the original ensign was adopted again as there were complaints within the force that the blue of the naval crest was indistinguishable from the sky and the ocean, reported The Print.

The new Indian Navy flag: Government officials told ANI that the government is choosing from around 10 different designs that have been given to them by the naval headquarters. The suggestions range from depicting 11 waves on the flag representing 11 different coastal states to showcasing the different commands of the force.

There was also a suggestion about including a sign from the times of the ancient navies of India which included the Cholas and later the Marathas, ANI reported.

After PM Modi unveils the new Indian Navy flag, the President will give her final approval as the supreme commander of the armed forces.

Commissioning of INS Vikrant: Just before unveiling the new Indian Navy flag, PM Narendra Modi will commission India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, at the Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi.

#LegendisBack #IACVikrant - equipped with State-of-the-Art facilities is a 'City on the Move' @indiannavy @IN_WNC @INEasternNaval1 @IN_HQSNC pic.twitter.com/3IWKJPGiEJ

— IN (@IndiannavyMedia) August 30, 2022

Designed by the Indian Navy's in-house Warship Design Bureau (WDB), Vikrant has been built with state-of-the-art automation features and is the largest ship ever built in the maritime history of India, reported PTI.