Flags of Friendship: Vexillologist Raghavendran is on a quest to promote global harmony

(February 8, 2024) The diplomatic representatives from seven nations serving in India, including Costa Rica, Malaysia, El Salvador, Mali, Palau, the UK, and Germany, have paid a personal visit to vexillologist and vocalist Raghavendran V. They have presented him with desk flags typically used during their ceremonial occasions such as agreement signings or bilateral meetings. Their visit has been a gesture of appreciation for Raghavendran’s endeavours in advancing peace, harmony, and friendship, aligning with the principles of Vasudaiva Kutumbakam (The World is One Family). Many other diplomatic heads have acknowledged Raghavendran’s unique attempt by dispatching their flags with a letter of appreciation boosting his efforts. The Bengalurean has devoted more than six years to his passion for vexillology (the study of flags and their symbolism). 

Raghavendran V

“I have written to high commissions, embassies, and consulates of different countries serving in India, requesting their respective desk flags. I aim to collect flags from all 193 countries that are member states of the United Nations, and the two other countries,” Raghavendran shares with Global Indian. “So far I have been successful in collecting flags of 160 countries and need 35 more to reach my target and apply for the Guinness world record.”  

Creating records  

The vexillologist, who is associated with organisations like the North American Vexillology Association (NAVA), South African Vexillology Association (SAVA), Vexillology Ireland, and the New Zealand Flag Association, received an appreciation letter from the Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Meenakshi Lekhi, upon reaching a milestone of 150 flags in his collection. He has also earned a place in the Best of India Records Book and the Worldwide Book of Records.  

Despite spending more than two decades of his life bedridden, the Carnatic vocalist is a man of many talents. He recently concluded his thirty-fourth concert. As a philatelist, he has collected 10,000 stamps from different countries and boasts of an impressive collection of coins and currency notes of minimum denomination, and also 27 miniature models of airplanes.  

Giving Back  

As the CEO of the HSVJ Foundation, which he co-founded with a group of friends living abroad, Raghavendran is dedicated to serving disadvantaged communities and has been contributing to keeping the planet green through tree plantation drives. “With support of my friends 675 saplings have been planted so far in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu,” he shares.  

Known for his ability to provide personalised emotional support, Raghavendran is frequently sought after by individuals going through a difficult phase in their lives. Recently he got inducted as the Honorary Director of the Social Inclusion and Global Amity Division of the Confederation of Young Leaders, based in New Delhi. 

Rising above odds  

“I have lost 22 precious years of my life owing to my medical condition,” he reveals. “I overcame my physical challenges through positive thinking, self-confidence, and hard work,” tells the warrior who lost his mobility and sitting posture after undergoing three unsuccessful ortho surgeries in 1990. “Due to the negligence of the doctor all the three surgeries that he did were defective,” he remarks. 

“I then underwent three major and very expensive corrective surgeries in 2013-2014 with the generous support of late playback singer Sri S.P Balasubramaniam, and under the skillful care of Dr Rajasekaran of Ganga Hospital in Coimbatore. It was only then that I was able to walk slowly with the support of a walking stick,” he shares. 

Raghavendran V with late playback singer S.P Balasubramaniam

Raghavendran was just a ninth-grade student when sudden pain in the joints during a stage performance left him helpless. Despite undergoing numerous treatments in Chennai, his condition deteriorated rapidly within a few days, plunging him into excruciating pain and leading to a decline in his mobility to the extent that he remained completely immobile for 22 years. 

Despite being unable to attend formal education due to his physical limitations, he took charge of his own learning journey, relying on BBC radio as a constant companion. “By treating the channel as my friend and companion, I not only expanded my knowledge of the world but also sharpened my communication skills,” says Raghavendran, who has cultivated a strong network of friends spanning borders. These friendships have been instrumental in supporting his endeavours in collecting flags, stamps, coins, and currency, and have provided moral support in his career as a vocalist. 

Fighting odds through music 

“Music became my weapon against trauma,” shares the 48-year-old, who has harboured a passion for singing since childhood. In addition to avidly tuning in to BBC radio, and reading some good newspapers like The Hindu, he immersed himself in watching Rajnikant movies and music, honing his ear for melodies. “I can sing up to 400 songs from memory alone,” he proudly states. 

Raghavendran has been learning Carnatic music vocal from renowned artists like Vidwan Sri Udupi Gopalakrishnan. He is also being guided by Vidwan Dr Vidyabhushana in Bengaluru. These accomplished individuals typically don’t make house calls for teaching, but upon witnessing Raghavendran’s talent and considering his physical condition, they graciously made an exception, carving out time from their hectic schedules to do so. 

Raghavendran V at a Carnatic vocal performance

The journey of vexillology 

With a knack for networking, Raghavendran has cultivated connections with various individuals, including orthopaedic specialists due to his ailment. People often seek his advice on orthopaedic matters, as he possesses valuable insights to offer.  

A few years back, a Bangladeshi acquaintance of his visited him in the hospital upon learning about his hip joint replacement. She sought his assistance in consulting his doctor for her nephew’s treatment. During the discussion, she came to know that Raghavendran is fascinated by the flags of different countries, an interest he developed while watching the telecast of one of the Olympics’ opening ceremonies. Upon returning to Bangladesh, she sent him a cloth flag as a token of gratitude. “That flag marked the beginning of my collection,” he says. Later, his friends also started bringing back flags from their trips abroad.  

While acquiring flags for certain countries proved relatively simple, others like North Korea, Palestine, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan posed more of a challenge. “I have waited for two to three years to get desk flags of some countries,” he says. Some nations are in very remote areas, requiring extra time and effort to obtain their flags, while representatives of some other nations prefer to meet them in person to present the flag, hence the delay.

“For countries without offices in India, like Cameroon, Mauritania, Eswatini, and Gambia, I have corresponded with their offices located elsewhere in the world,” he says. To diplomatic heads of some countries, he has even requested for the flags to be sent to his friends residing in those regions. “They then courier the flags to Bengaluru. That is how I received the table flags from the Kingdom of Jordan and East Timor,” he explains. 

On social media, Raghavendran actively promotes bilateral relations between India and other countries by sharing images of desk flags representing both nations on special occasions such as their national days. Once I collect flags of all the 195 countries, I would like to meet our honourable prime minister Shri Narendra Modi, and dedicate my achievements and the work I have been doing for our nation,” he remarks. 

Multi-talented personality 

Raghavendran leads a disciplined life and never wastes time. Deeply intrigued by Android applications, he delved into the technology and developed his expertise. Recognising his proficiency, a Hong Kong-based android developer named Handcent approached him and engaged his services as a freelance consultant to provide insights and ideas for enhancing their applications. “I purchased my first Android phone with the earnings from that opportunity,” he mentions happily. 

Message for society 

Raghvendran is immensely thankful to his parents for giving him all their support and care. “If it would not have been for their compassion and unconditional love, growing up into such a positive and multi-faceted individual was impossible.” 

Raghavendran V

He advocates for a compassionate society and emphasises the importance of creating an environment where individuals facing disabilities receive understanding and support both within their families and in their communities. He believes that with a positive atmosphere, overcoming challenges becomes significantly easier. 

For the ones who are going through a tough phase in their life due to any physical or mental ailment, Raghavendran has a piece of advice too. “Maintain a positive mindset. Tap into your hidden talents, to get rid of negativity and become mentally strong. Disability should never serve as a deterrent; rather, with willpower and hard work, anything is achievable,” he signs off.

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• You can reach out to him at: raghavendran24@yahoo.com