Winds damage Rs 50,000-flag at war memorial

Bengaluru: The rustle of leaves, birds chirping and children shouting gleefully greet those who enter the National Memorial Military Park nestled in the heart of the city. But what nobody would miss is the 210-foot pole where a tricolour measuring 72 feet by 48 feet, one of the biggest in India, used to soar. The flag costs around Rs 50,000.
But for the past five days, the platform has been wearing a deserted look; the flag has been removed and lights that illuminate it have been switched off.The tricolour was damaged due to exposure to wind.
"On Saturday, we had to pull the flag down as gusty winds ripped a part of it and put a new one. It happened thrice on the day," said officials in-charge of the flag. Two days later also, they replaced the flag, but it got damaged again. The flags are shipped from Mumbai and at present, there isn't any stock available. "By Saturday, the flag will be up again," they added.
Shekhar M, a regular walker to the area, said: "Every day, I stop for a few seconds near the tricolour. When I found it missing, I checked with officials and got to know that it has been given for stitching."
Another walker said the flag should be maintained by MEG and BBMP jointly.
A glass museum right below the pole houses flags of all countries and artefacts. But it is not open to public.
"Walkers regularly ask about it, but it has not been inaugurated yet," security guard KP Puttaswamy said.