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M. Karunanidhi was instrumental in Chief Ministers getting the right to hoist the national flag on Independence Day. When did CMs first hoist the flag?
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Answer: Option A — 15 August 1974
Detailed Solution
Before 1974, it was the Governors of the states who hoisted the national flag in state capitals on both Independence Day and Republic Day. M. Karunanidhi, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, raised the issue that elected Chief Ministers, like the Prime Minister at the national level, should hoist the flag on Independence Day. He argued that this would better reflect India's democratic and federal set-up.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's government accepted this demand. As a result, from 15 August 1974, Chief Ministers have hoisted the national flag in their state capitals on Independence Day, while Governors continue to unfurl the flag on Republic Day (26 January). Karunanidhi hoisted the flag at Fort St. George in Chennai on 15 August 1974, and he is credited with winning this right for all Chief Ministers.
Difference between "hoisting" and "unfurling":
On Independence Day (15 August), the flag is tied at the bottom of the pole and pulled up ("hoisted"), symbolising the rise of a new nation in 1947. The Prime Minister hoists it at the Red Fort, Delhi.
On Republic Day (26 January), the flag is already at the top of the pole, folded, and is "unfurled" (opened). The President unfurls it at Kartavya Path, Delhi.
About M. Karunanidhi (1924-2018):
- He was a leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu five times between 1969 and 2011.
- He was also a famous Tamil screenwriter, poet and orator, known as "Kalaignar" (artist).
- He led the DMK for about 50 years, from 1969 until his death.
He was succeeded as DMK president by his son, M. K. Stalin, who became Chief Minister in 2021.
Why not the other options?
- ✗15 August 1950 was the first Independence Day after India became a republic; Governors hoisted the flag then.
- ✗26 January is Republic Day, when Governors (not CMs) unfurl the flag.
- ✗15 August 1969 was in Karunanidhi's first term as CM, before the change.
Quick tip
Remember: CMs hoist the flag on Independence Day since 15 August 1974, after M. Karunanidhi's demand; Governors unfurl it on Republic Day; Independence Day = hoisting, Republic Day = unfurling.
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Firsts in India & World — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Firsts in India & World, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers the first persons and events in India and the world: the first Indian to win a Nobel Prize, the first woman to hold major offices, the first to climb Everest or reach space, and India's first institutions, newspapers, railways and satellites. It also covers the largest, longest, highest and smallest records in India and the world. These are pure memory questions, so revise them as short lists by theme: first women, first in sports, first in science and space, and first in governance. Be careful with the exact wording, such as 'first Indian' versus 'first person of Indian origin', or 'first woman President' versus 'first woman Prime Minister', since options are often designed to exploit this. Practise the firsts in India and the world questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.