Why in News:

• The Indian Navy’s new ensign was unveiled by Prime Minister

About the New Flag

• In a bid to do away with the “colonial past”, the Saint George’s Cross has been removed from the Indian Navy’s new flag.
• Instead, it now features the national emblem with the Tricolour on the upper canton (top left corner of flag). The national emblem is encompassed by an octagonal shield and sits atop an anchor.
• Beneath it is the Navy’s motto ‘Sam No Varunah’(a Vedic mantra invoking the god of seas to be auspicious) in Devanagari.

What does the new flag signify?

• The golden border surrounding the national emblem draws inspiration from the seal of Indian emperor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and depicts steadfastness. 
• The octagonal shape of the national emblem has been designed to represent eight directions, symbolising the multi-directional reach and multi-dimensional operational capability of the Indian Navy.

History of the Indian Navy Flag

• Before Independence, the Navy’s ensign carried the Union Jack on the upper canton along with St. George’s Cross.
• In 1950, the Union Jack was replaced by the Indian flag but the cross was retained.
• In 2001, St. George’s Cross was replaced with the naval crest, but the cross was brought back in 2004 – this time with the national emblem superimposed in the middle of it. In 2014, “Satyamev Jayate” was written in Devanagari script, right below the emblem.

Additional Information

St.George’s Cross

• St George’s Cross is a red cross on a white background, associated with Saint George. St George is believed to have been a crusader during the Third Crusade. The flag of England is derived from Saint George’s Cross

References:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/prime-minister-narendra-modi-unveils-indian-navys-new-ensign/article65839843.ece
2. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/indian-navy-new-ensign-8126559/