Want to wear your patriotism on your sleeve on R-Day? Yes, you can, with a trendy Tricolour wristband.
As Ranchi gears up for Republic Day, makeshift kiosks are cashing in on the GeNext patriotic fervour with cool Tricolour accessories, even as traditional khadi shops sell the national flag.
On the trendy patriotic platter are badges, stickers, wristbands, scarves and Anna caps.
Komal Kumari, a twelfth grader of Ursuline Convent, decided to turn R-Day into a designer statement. "Our gang of friends has decided to sport Tricolour wristbands and scarves," she said.
Natasha Singh, a ninth grader of St Anne's Girls' High School, picked up Tricolour stickers embossed with messages such as 'Chak De India', 'I Love India' and the like. Between Rs 3 and Rs 5, they are pocket-friendly. "They are the new entrants. Aren't they stylish?" Natasha beamed.
Md Tabiz, a kiosk owner near Shaheed Chowk, said Tricolour stickers and badges ' procured from Calcutta ' were a rage among students.
Wristbands at Rs 5 and Anna caps ' lookalikes of the Gandhi topi worn by Anna Hazare ' at Rs 30 are also flying off the racks. "We thought that the Anna craze had dimmed. But college kids are clamouring for caps," said seller Md Taseem at Albert Ekka Chowk.
True to tradition, khadi stores have again stocked Tricolours in various sizes, priced between Rs 650 and Rs 3,500. Khadi store officials said they saw a 25 per cent increase in sale of Tricolours this year.
Chotanagpur Khadi Gram Udyog Sansthan, a leading store in Firayalal Chowk, has already sold Tricolour worth Rs 2 lakh. Customers included state offices, schools, even Birsa Munda Central Jail.
Using the national flag in a manner that violates India's Flag Code (2002) is punishable by law. The flag must never touch the ground or water or be placed upside down.
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