On August 21, 1907, almost 40 years before India gained independence and officially adopted the national flag, a tricolour was introduced to the world as the flag of independent India. Bhikaiji Rustom Cama or simply Madam Cama had the unique distinction of unfurling India’s first version of the national flag on a foreign soil. Speaking at the International Socialist Conference at Stuttgart, Germany, Madam Cama urged the people to stand and salute the flag. She said, “Behold, the flag of independent India is born! It has been made sacred by the blood of young Indians who sacrificed their lives in its honour. In the name of this flag, I appeal to lovers of freedom all over the world to support this struggle.” The flag was designed by Cama and Shyamji Krishna Varma, an Indian patriot from London.
Born to a wealthy family in Bombay (Mumbai), Bhikaiji was drawn towards political and social issues at an early age. She involved herself in social work. Cama left India for London when she required medical attention post the bubonic plague attack.
After recovery, she continued to stay in England and worked for Indian independence by mobilising public opinion against the British rule in India. She worked alongside leaders such as Dadabhai Naoroji, Lala Har Dayal and Varma.
Did you know?
In the flag co-designed by Madam Cama, the top green stripe had eight lotuses representing pre-independent India’s eight provinces. ‘Bande Mataram’ was written across the central saffron stripe in Hindi. The bottom red stripe had a half moon on the right and a sun on the left, indicating the Hindu and Muslim faiths.
Picture Credit : Google
