Ariful Islam/Guwahati

Piyar Ali is a tailor by profession, but every Independence Day and Republic Day, he becomes a proud Indian who loves his country to the core. As a mark of love, affection and respect for the country and the nation, Piyar Ali sews hundreds of National Flags for the national festivals, with his hands and without charging his fees.

For nearly three decades, he has been filling up his business establishment with National Flags on the eve of Republic Day and Independence Day. Piyar Ali used to stitch the Tricolour with all passion and precision. He takes special care to ensure that each flag he makes becomes a symbol of pride and unity.

In the beginning, he used to stitch a small number of flags, but in the course of time, as January 26 and August 15 approached every year, Piyar Ali showed a deep sense of patriotism and became completely absorbed in flag-making. Gradually, demands increased, and he increased his production.

"I have been a tailor for about 30 years. I have been sewing National Flags for about 29 years since I started my shop. I love our National Flag. I have an immense love for the National Flag because it represents our great country. An Assamese nursery rhyme on the Tricolour that we chanted in our childhood – Tini Baraniya Jatiya Pataka Neel Akashot Naache … (Tricoloured National Flag dances in the blue sky …) -- has left a permanent impression about the significance and pride of the Tricolour in my mind, which nurtures my immense love for it,” tailor Piyar Ali said.

"I sew flags especially for the special days of January 26 and August 15. During the rest of the time, I sew clothes like other tailors. I sell my flags to schools, colleges and other institutions. I don’t charge anything for sewing. I just charge the cost of the clothes used in the flags so that everybody can hoist a quality Tricolour without having to fork out a hefty price.

“My sole motive is to ensure that everybody hoists and respects the National Flag. I'm the only one who sews the flags in this greater Kalgachia locality, Ali added. Kalgachia is a remote area of western Assam.”

Piyar Ali at work

On the eve of Republic and Independence Days, Piyar Ali's shop becomes a storehouse of Tricolours. As Kalgachia gets ready to celebrate the 77th Republic Day on January 26, Piyar Ali’s shop is once again the destination of the locality. Many people have already bought Tricolours from him.

A neighbouring trader of Piyar Ali's shop said: "I have been doing business near Piyar Ali for about 26 years. For 26 years, I have seen that when January 26 and August 15 come, Piyar Ali gets busy and sews flags day in and out. I asked him once about the price of the flags he prepares.

He told me that his service was dedicated to those who laid down their lives to secure Independence for India. So he would charge only the cost of the clothes used in the flags. Educational institutions and other institutions from three adjoining districts, including Goalpara, would buy flags only from Piyar Ali.”

Tricolours at Piyar Ali's shop

It is worth mentioning that the busyness of this work, which started with a small effort, has now increased significantly.

The flags made by Piyar Ali have spread not only to greater Kalgachia but also to many surrounding areas like Barpeta, Barbhita, Mayanbari, Jaipore, Tarkandi, Baghbar, Goalpara, and Bangaigaon districts come to buy his flags at a nominal price.

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Everyone is unanimous in acknowledging the love and respect he shows to each flag.