High above Earth’s surface, where commercial planes don’t fly, India’s tricolour found a moment in near space on the country’s 77th Republic Day. Quick-commerce platform Zepto, in collaboration with content creator Zikiguy, unfurled the national flag in the stratosphere at an altitude exceeding 1,00,000 feet, a feat that quickly caught the internet’s attention.
Sharing the video on social media, Zepto co-founder and CEO Aadit Palicha said, “We partnered with Zikiguy to hoist the Indian flag in the stratosphere. The Zepto team and I feel grateful to be a small part of India’s growth story. Cheers to another year of building for this incredible country.”
The video shows the technology behind the feat and opens with the team outlining their objective. “We are doing the highest Indian flag hoist in near space at over one lakh feet,” Zikiguy says.
The video quickly became popular, leading to a surge of reactions from netizens. “Super proud—congratulations, boys! Also hats off to Zepto for supporting this future-ready team.” wrote one user. Another commented, “Jai Hind! Incredible, guys! Loved the visuals—especially seeing your joy while watching those clips.”
The video walks viewers through the meticulous planning behind the mission, detailing the use of a weather balloon, cameras, and other specialised equipment. Zikiguy notes that assembling the setup and addressing technical challenges took nearly two hours. During the launch, the team coordinated with Air Traffic Control to ensure flight safety, while also documenting interactions with local residents who watched the tricolour unfurl live high above the Earth.