Flag atop 100-ft mast at DDU univ gets torn

GORAKHPUR : The tricolour atop a 100-foot-high mast, which CM Yogi Adityanath unfurled at the entrance of Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Gorakhpur University on June 19, got torn due to high wind last week, a university official said.

The flag was taken down subsequently. For now, the 100-feet-high mast is without a flag. The university had not kept an extra pair of flag in reserve for replacement.

The flag project involved an estimated cost of ₹20 lakh. The university administration took the help of the non-government organisation JC Mid town to instil a sense of patriotism and nationalism among the students. The flag mast was touted to be the highest in east UP . The university administration had allotted 20 feet by 20 feet space near the main entrance gate next to the proctor office. Lights were fitted all around the flag to illuminate it at night.

When asked why a new flag had not been arranged, dean, social welfare (DSW), Ravi Singh said, “Despite being made of strong parachute cloth, the flag got torn due to high wind pressure as it was flying at an altitude of 100 feet. However, a new flag has been arranged from JC Mid town , and will be put up by tomorrow (Tuesday).”

He added a plan was afoot to reduce the height of the mast, keeping the ratio of flag and mast intact at 2:3.

“Much technicality is involved in pulling the flag up to a height of 100 feet and so we seek the help of a technical hand in unfurling it,” he said.