New IAF Ensign Featuring Ashoka Lion, Himalayan Eagle, Bhagavad Gita Verse To Be Unveiled Tomorrow

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to mark a significant moment in its history on Sunday with Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari unveiling a new IAF ensign. This historic change in the insignia reflects a reaffirmation of its core values, the force stated. It further mentioned that the new IAF ensign has been crafted to better align with the values of the Indian Air Force by featuring symbols like the Ashoka Lion and Himalayan Eagle as well as a verse from Bhagavad Gita.

The evolution of the IAF’s ensign can be traced back in history. Originally, the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) ensign featured the Union Jack in the upper left canton and the RIAF roundel in Red, White, and Blue on the fly side. Post-Independence, the IAF’s ensign was created by replacing the Union Jack with the Indian tricolour and the RAF roundels with the IAF tri-colour roundel in the lower right canton.

“08 Oct 2023 will go down as a momentous day in the annals of IAF history. On this historic day, the Chief of Air Staff will unveil the new IAF ensign. Going back in history, the RIAF Ensign comprised of the Union Jack in the upper left canton and the RIAF roundel (Red, White & Blue) on the fly side. Post-Independence, the Indian Air Force ensign was created by replacing the Union Jack with the Indian tri colour and the RAF roundels with the IAF tri colour roundel in the lower right canton. A new lAF ensign has now been created to better reflect the values of the Indian Air Force,” the IAF statement read.

“This reaffirmation will now be reflected by the inclusion of the Air Force Crest in the top right corner of the Ensign, towards the fly side. The IAF Crest has the national symbol, the Ashoka lion on the top with the words “सत्यमेव जयते” 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 “भारतीय वायु सेना”. The motto of the IAF “नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्” is inscribed below Himalayan eagle in golden Devanagari,” it informed.

The statement further mentioned that 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”.

It’s worth noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi previously unveiled the new ensign of the Indian Navy at the commissioning ceremony of the aircraft carrier ‘INS Vikrant’ in September last year. During the ceremony, PM Modi highlighted that India had moved beyond its colonial past, shedding symbols of slavery, and embracing a new naval ensign inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The new Naval insignia incorporated the royal seal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, replacing the Saint George’s cross that had featured on the Navy flag during the pre-independence era.