New Ensign for Indian Air Force

Why in news?

• IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari unveiled the new IAF ensign during the Air Force Day (October 8^th)parade at Air Force Station-Bamrauli in Prayagraj.

About the New Ensign

• The new lAF ensign has witnessed inclusion of the Air Force Crest in the top right corner towards the fly side.
• The IAF Crest has the national symbol, the Ashoka lion on the top with the words “Satyamev Jayate” in Devanagari below it. Below the Ashoka lion is a Himalayan eagle with its wings spread, denoting the fighting qualities of the IAF. A ring in light blue colour encircles the Himalayan eagle with the words “Bhartiya Vayu Sena”.
• The motto of the IAF-- Nabha? Sp??a? Deeptam -- is inscribed below the Himalayan Eagle in golden Devanagari. The IAF motto has been taken from verse 24, Chapter 11 of the Bhagavad Gita and means “Radiant Thou Touchest Heaven” or in other words “Touching the sky with glory”.

About the Old Ensigns

• The now old Air Force ensign was blue, containing the National Flag in the first quadrant and a roundel consisting of the colours of the national flag i.e., saffron, white and green, at the centre. This ensign was adopted in 1951.
• Going back in history, the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) Ensign comprised the Union Jack in the upper left canton and the RIAF roundel (red, white and blue) on the fly side. Post-Independence, the Indian Air Force ensign was created by replacing the Union Jack with the Indian Tricolour and the RAF roundels with the IAF Tricolour roundel in the lower right canton.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Ensign of Indian Air Force?

1. The IAF crest featuring a Himalayan Eagle is present in the ensign.
2. The motto of the IAF-- Nabha? Sp??a? Deeptam -- is inscribed in Devanagari script in the ensign.
3. This was the first time the ensign of Indian Air Force is revised post-indepence.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer