- The Governor General of Canada
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Vithal Rajan
Hyderabad, India
Grant of Arms, Flag and Badge, with differences to Diia Rajan and Azad Grewal
August 20, 2015
Vol. VI, p. 543
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Chequy of nine Vert and Argent overall a Dharma wheel Or;
Crest
A dove close holding in its dexter claw a fountain pen and standing on a grassy mount within a circlet of lotus flowers proper;
Motto
THE DHARMA OF HUMANITY;
Flag
A standard, the Arms in hoist, the fly Or charged with the Crest between two representations of the Badge, all separated by two bends sinister Argent fimbriated and inscribed with the Motto in letters Vert;
Badge
A maple tree eradicated its roots entwined about the Purana Pul bridge proper;
Differenced Arms for Diia Rajan, daughter of Vithal Rajan
The Arms of Vithal Rajan debruised of a three-point label Or during her father’s lifetime. This individual will inherit the Arms of the Recipient following his death;
Differenced Arms for Azad Grewal, grandson of Vithal Rajan
The Arms of Vithal Rajan debruised of a five-point label Or during his grandfather’s lifetime;
Symbolism
Arms
The chequerboard pattern alludes to fields and thus to Dr. Rajan’s work in rural development in India. This pattern also refers to the many and varied aspects of his service to the poor throughout the world and as a founder of several Indian non-governmental organizations. The green colour evokes his work in ecology and in promoting sustainable agriculture and health. The Dharma wheel with its eight spokes (dharmachakra) represents the Noble Eightfold Path of Buddhism, a principle that has guided Dr. Rajan throughout his life.
Crest
The dove is a well-known symbol of peace and symbolizes Dr. Rajan’s involvement in the peace movement, most notably as a founding faculty member of the School of Peace Studies at Bradford University, England, and as a member of the Transcend Global Peace Network. The lotus flowers are evocative of Dr. Rajan’s advocacy for the rights of women in India. Their number evokes his wife and his daughter, who also advocate for women’s rights in India, as well as his grandson. The fountain pen alludes to his second career as a writer; it also represents the importance of literacy for him and his family.
Motto
Not applicable.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Badge
The maple tree is evocative of Canada, for which Dr. Rajan has much love and gratefulness, and its roots reaffirm his work with the ecology movement and as an advisor on grassroots community development. The Purana Pul is a bridge built in the 16th century in his hometown of Hyderabad, India, and represents Dr. Rajan’s work in building bridges between communities, religions, cultures and nationalities.
Differenced Arms for Diia Rajan, daughter of Vithal Rajan
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Differenced Arms for Azad Grewal, grandson of Vithal Rajan
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on March 12, 2016, in Volume 150, page 739 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Manon Labelle, Miramichi Herald, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Debra MacGarvie
Calligrapher
Shirley Mangione
Recipient Information
Individual