No plastic flags on Independence Day, Republic Day, Maharashtra government tells schools

In a circular, the school education department has directed all schools in Maharashtra to direct the children not to use national flags made of plastic on Republic and Independence Day.

The circular also asks the schools to sensitize the students about not buying plastic flags, which are usually sold outside schools prior to January 26 and August 15.

"These plastic flags are discarded soon after the ceremony and they keep lying on roads and grounds which is an insult to our national flag. Since the union home ministry has already issued a directive in this regard, we all must follow the norms as respecting national flag is the duty of every citizen," states the circular.

The government has also asked schools to ensure strict compliance of the directive by using only paper flags and discarding them as per rules.