rediff.comVicky Nanjappa in New Delhi January 10, 2008 02:40 IST
According to norms, the words Satyameva Jayate are supposed to be written below the National Emblem. However, on most occasions the words are missing. And it needed an NRI to point out this flaw.Ramesh Chandra, a retired design engineer who has been in the US since 1980, is in New Delhi to attend the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2008. His main interest in coming to India has been to point out this flaw, which he says is evident at several important places.
Video: Ramesh Chandra Speaks!
Chandra says this flaw is evident at several embassies. He adds says that letter heads of various persons holding important portfolios in the government have the emblem minus Satyameva Jayate. He also pointed out that the Ministry for Overseas Indians too does not have Satyameva Jayate written below the National Emblem. "I can point out 400 such instances," he said.
This NRI from the US says his main intention of pointing this out to every person and adds that he will continue to fight till the flaw is rectified.
- Recently, he had come down to India and managed to get an appointment with the President. After giving him a patient hearing, the President is said to have exclaimed, "How could this be possible." Chandra said the President had assured to look into the matter.
Chandra first noticed this flaw around five years back. The government is just not bothered about this issue, he says, adding that he had raised the issue during the first Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
He spent a considerable amount of time doing research on the subject and wanted to be well-versed with the laws of the land before carrying forward his fight. Chandra says he will visit India at any given opportunity to take this fight forward. He wishes to create awareness among the Indians both in the US as well as India regarding this issue. He says that he is surprised to find that none in India have noticed this.
The State Emblem of India (Prohibition of improper Use) Act of 1950 states that if the emblem is not accompanied by the words Satyameva Jayate it amounts to an offence under the act. An offence under this act attracts a punishment of 2 years imprisonment and also a fine of Rs 5000.
Ramesh Chandra says, "In this case, it is the government, which is the main culprit. Whom will you punish in such a case?"
Note: Ramesh Chandra Gathoria is the Director (Research) of Indian American Intellectuals Forum, a New York-based organization. It works to strengthen Indo-American relationship and creates awareness in the community about the menace of terrorism.
