Ever since I was a kid, I was fascinated by the flags that fluttered from the back windows of cars. They seemed to whisper secrets of rebellion, freedom, and an elusive sense of coolness.I knew I wanted one.
Fast forward a decade, and my curiosity still lingered. During a fleeting conversation with a friend, I confessed my childhood longing for one of those flags.
Dhwani, always one to embrace cultural richness, took this conversation to heart. She explained that the flag I was intrigued by was the Tibetan flag.
Identity is a fundamental aspect of human existence, and it is equally important for individuals, communities, and nations. The Tibetan flag serves as a powerful symbol of their identity. It embodies the Tibetan people’s desire for self-governance, their resistance to Chinese rule, and their aspiration to preserve their unique cultural heritage.
The colors of the Tibetan flag hold specific meanings:
- Red: It portrays the Tibetan’s blood shed in their struggle for freedom and independence. It symbolizes their courage and determination.
- Blue: This symbolizes the clear sky above Tibet, symbolizing their spiritual connection to the heavens and their belief in a higher power.
- Yellow: It represents the golden sun, symbolizing hope, warmth, and enlightenment. It represents the Tibetan people’s desire for a bright future.
- White: It exhibits purity, peace, and the snow-capped mountains of Tibet, symbolizing the natural beauty of their homeland.
In areas where Tibetan autonomy is restricted, hanging the flag becomes a form of peaceful protest, a way to assert their identity and demand freedom.
No amount of dominance or war can erase a people’s identity or force them to abandon their heritage. The Tibetan flag stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of a people who refuse to be silenced or assimilated.
Moved by this revelation, she decided to bring a piece of that story into my life. On her next trip to the Himalayas,she got one such flag back for me. Talking about it, she mentioned her experience of obtaining a TTP (Tibetan travel permit). The lack of an online portal for permit applications made the process even more cumbersome, forcing travelers to rely heavily on travel agencies that charged heaps of money.
However, she was delighted to hear about India’s technological advancements with the launch of the C Form website. But she was even more proud to know that I work in a Delhi-based startup, qid, which brings in a 3 second solution to this problem. It provides automated check-in and C-Form submission processes through their ID verification software. It’s exciting to see Indian startups tackling such problems and saving people time and effort.
Years have passed since that moment. A lot has changed. She’s now in Canada, and I’ve moved to Delhi. Life has shifted in ways I never anticipated. But through it all, that same flag hangs above my bed, fluttering gently with the breeze, just as it did on the backs of those cars.
For the locals in Tibet, the Tibetan flag is more than just a piece of cloth and it’s a symbol of their identity. For me, that flag is a steadfast reminder of stories behind symbols.
