A new design for President’s standard, colour and crest for Indian Navy

Recently, during the Navy Day celebrations at Visakhapatnam, the introduction of a new design for the President’s Standard and Colour and Crest for the Indian Navy has been unveiled.

About the development:

• Taking a step further towards shedding its colonial past, the President gave the approval for the introduction of a new design for the President's Standard and Colour and also unveiled the Indian Navy's Crest.
• The Indian Navy adopted a new naval ensign about three months back, and the new design of the President's Standard and President's Colour awarded to the Indian Navy incorporates this change.
  
  

The President's colour and standards:

• They are given to the best-performing units of the force.
• The new design of the President's Standard and Colour comprises three main constituents;
• The national flag in the upper-left canton adjacent to the staff,
• The state emblem underscribed with 'Satyamev Jayate' in golden colour on the upper right canton on the fly side and,
• A Navy Blue-Gold Octagon below the golden state emblem.

• Features:
  • The design comprised one horizontal and vertical red bands intersecting at the centre and the national emblem inserted at their intersection. 
  • The national flag was at the upper left canton adjacent to the staff, and a golden elephant was at the lower right canton on the fly side.
  • This design was inspired by the erstwhile naval ensign.
  • The Octagon has twin golden octagonal borders, encompassing the golden national emblem (Lion Capital of Ashoka resting atop an anchor; and superimposed on a shield.
  • Below the shield, within the octagon, in a golden bordered ribbon, on a Navy Blue background, is inscribed the motto of the Indian Navy, 'Sam No Varunah' in golden Devnagri script.
• Significance:
  • The golden state emblem signifies ‘power, courage, confidence and pride’ whilst the navy blue-golden octagon shape draws inspiration from Shivaji Maharaj Rajmudra or the Seal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
  • It represents the eight directions (four cardinal and four intercardinal), symbolising the Indian Navy's maritime outreach.