Poor Mohammad Wasi promoting the Indian Tricolour with Dupattas

Varanasi, Aug. 3 : Varanasi's Mohammad Wasi, who is a weaver by profession, is trying to generate public respect and love for the Indian national flag-the tricolour-by making Dupattas which have colours of the national flag.

Wasi and his family hopes the availability in the market will encourage several married women and young girls to wear them ahead of the upcoming Independence Day (August 15), as mark of celebration and also evolve love for it.

Wasi says that he derived inspiration to make Dupattas after noticing that many a times people tend to disrespect the national flag. As the generally available paper or plastic paper made national flags get thrown on roads. It causes disrespect to the flag.

He felt that the Dupatta, which is worn above the shoulder or head would ensure it is respected through out the year and never get thrown on roadsides as the paper flags are.

"I see children carrying paper and plastic flags and throwing them on road which is an insult to our national flag. So I thought of making a dupatta and introducing it in the market. I have also got an order from Vishal Bharat Sansthan to prepare over 100 pieces. This can satisfy my patriotism and reduce our miseries too," said Mohammad Wasi, weaver.

Bereft of means to earn daily bread ever since the famed Banaras silk industry went into the slump, Mohammad Wasi (45) gave a serious thought to weave dupattas resembling the national tricolour with the hopes of doing a good business ahead of the Independence Day.

Everyone around has appreciated the novel idea to evolve respect for the national flag among public.

"It's a matter of pride. This Muslim family has proved how much keen they are to see the national flag is respected by all. Through this they are spreading their patriotism, and secondly, they are fulfilling their daily necessities," said Nazneen Ansari, a promoter of tri-colour dupatta.

There are three families of silk weavers engaged in the tri-colour dupatta production.

"This is creating awareness among Muslim families and they are becoming a part of it. This type of business involves three families; the one who weaves, the other one dyes and the third family stitches. Their work teams up employment with the spirit of nationalism for these families. This will help strengthen the country and will spread all over," said Rajeev Srivastava, the Convenor of Vishal Bharat Sansthan in Varanasi.

Mohammad Wasi hopes the new concept will generate and spread nationalism among the masses as well as classes. By Girish Dubey

ANI