Flagging a pressing VIP concern

It seems curmudgeonly to begrudge a state its own flag given that all sorts of entities from political parties and sports teams to labour unions and companies have their own pennants and standards.

In that context, the move by West Bengal to give at least its VIPs distinctive ensigns in lieu of the late unlamented red beacons rather than press for a state flag is smart.

They may not have the flashy, loud appeal of a lal batti and siren, but the association of flags with pomp, ceremony and privilege is arguably far longer. Monarchs down the ages have had their personal standards, so it is almost inevitable that today’s batti-deprived class would fall back on this ancient symbol of power.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, already a veteran of several flag designs — that of her party and also the state’s flagship crafts emporium — has reportedly dashed off three for the benefit of her beacon-less babus. The reason is masterly: because a flag “shall convey a greater sense of government’s intent and enable smoother interactions without compromising protocol”.

That presumably means the officials can have all the bandobast without the bombast of a beacon. No wonder officials of other states are reportedly egging on their political bosses to follow Ms Banerjee’s lead on this matter if not other more substantive ones.