Why Is Tricolour Unfurled & Not Hoisted On Republic Day?

New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu will lead the nation in celebrating the 75th Republic Day from Kartavya Path in Delhi on Friday. But will she ‘unfurl’ or ‘hoist’ the National Flag before the 90-minute parade, which will begin at 10.30 am.

All those familiar with the English language obviously know the dictionary meaning of ‘hoisting’ and ‘unfurling.’ But very often, in the course of conversation, we tend to use the two words to mean the same thing when it comes to our Republic Day and Independence Day as if there is no difference.

The two terms, however, are very different and have starkly different meanings and symbolism:

On August 15, the flag is tied to the bottom of the pole. It is lifted up to the top and then hoisted to symbolise the struggle for independence while lifting it up the pole and then celebrating independence by hoisting it. (Hoist means to pull something up with a rope).

While on January 26, India became an independent republic. So, the flag is already on top now, free from the clutches of years of foreign occupation. Thus the flag tied to the top of the pole is unfurled as a symbolic gesture to renew the commitment to the principles laid down in the Constitution, highlighting the shift from colonial rule to a sovereign, democratic republic.