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Context

• The Indian Air Force unveiled the new ensign of the air force to better reflect its values during the celebrations of the 91st anniversary of the IAF at Air Force Station-Bamrauli.

Old Ensign

• The now old Air Force ensign was blue, containing the National Flag in the first quadrant and a roundel consisting of the colours of the national flag i.e. saffron, white and green, at the centre. This ensign was adopted in 1951.
• Going back in history, the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) Ensign comprised the Union Jack in the upper left canton and the RIAF roundel (red, white and blue) on the fly side.
• Post-Independence, the Indian Air Force ensign was created by replacing the Union Jack with the Indian Tricolour and the RAF roundels with the IAF Tricolour roundel in the lower right canton.

New Ensign

• The new lAF ensign has witnessed an inclusion of the Air Force Crest in the top right corner towards the fly side.
• The IAF Crest has the national symbol, the Ashoka lion on the top with the words “Satyamev Jayate” in Devanagari below it. Below the Ashoka lion is a Himalayan eagle with its wings spread, denoting the fighting qualities of the IAF. A ring in light blue colour encircles the Himalayan eagle with the words “Bhartiya Vayu Sena”.
• The motto of the IAF-- Nabhaḥ Spṛśaṃ Deeptam -- is inscribed below the Himalayan Eagle in golden Devanagari.
• The IAF motto has been taken from verse 24, Chapter 11 of the Bhagavad Gita and means “Radiant Thou Touchest Heaven” or in other words “Touching the sky with glory”.

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