NATIONAL FLAG
The National Flag is a
horizontal tricolour of deep saffron (kesaria) at the top, white in the middle
and dark green at the bottom in equal proportion. The ratio of width of the
flag to its length is two to three. In the centre of the white band is a
navy-blue wheel which represents the chakra.
The top saffron colour,
indicates the strength and courage of the country. The white middle band
indicates peace and truth with Dharma Chakra. The green shows the fertility,
growth and auspiciousness of the land.
Its design is that of
the wheel which appears on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka.
Its diameter approximates to the width of the white band and it has 24 spokes.
The design of the National Flag was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of
India on 22 July 1947.
It is really amazing to
see the various changes that our National Flag went through since its
first inception. It was discovered or recognised during our national struggle
for freedom. The evolution of the Indian National Flag sailed through
many vicissitudes to arrive at what it is today.
History of Indian
Tricolor
It is really amazing to
see the various changes that our National Flag went through since its first
inception. It was discovered or recognised during our national struggle for
freedom. The evolution of the Indian National Flag sailed through many
vicissitudes to arrive at what it is today. In one way it reflects the
political developments in the nation. Some of the historical milestones in the
evolution of our National Flag involve the following:
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| Unofficial flag of India in 1906 |
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| The Berlin committee flag, first raised by Bhikaiji Cama in 1907 |
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| The flag used during the Home Rule movement in 1917 |
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| The flag unofficially adopted in 1921 |
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| The flag adopted in 1931. This flag was also the battle ensign of the Indian National Army |
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The present Tricolour
flag of India |
The first national
flag in India is said to have been hoisted on August 7, 1906, in the
Parsee Bagan Square (Green Park) in Calcutta now Kolkata. The flag was composed
of three horizontal strips of red, yellow and green.
The second flag was
hoisted in Paris by Madame Cama and her band of exiled revolutionaries in 1907
(according to some inl9OS). This was very similar to the first flag except that
the top strip had only one lotus but seven stars denoting the Saptarishi. This
flag was also exhibited at a socialist conference in Berlin.
The third flag went
up in 1917 when our political struggle had taken a definite turn. Dr. Annie
Besant and Lokmanya Tilak hoisted it during the Home rule movement. This flag
had five red and four green horizontal strips arranged alternately, with seven
stars in the saptarishi configuration super-imposed on them. In the left-hand
top corner (the pole end) was the Union Jack. There was also a white crescent
and star in one corner.
During the session of
the All India Congress Committee which met at Bezwada in 1921 (now Vijayawada)
an Andhra youth prepared a flag and took it to Gandhiji. It was made up of two
colours-red and green-representing the two major communities i.e. Hindus and
Muslims. Gandhiji suggested the addition of a white strip to represent the
remaining communities of India and the spinning wheel to symbolise progress of
the Nation.
The year 1931 was a
landmark in the history of the flag. A resolution was passed adopting a
tricolor flag as our national flag. This flag, the forbear of the present one,
was saffron, white and green with Mahatma Gandhi's spinning wheel at the
center. It was, however, clearly stated that it bore no communal significance
and was to be interpreted thus.
On July 22, 1947, the
Constituent Assembly adopted it as Free India National Flag. After the advent
of Independence, the colours and their significance remained the same. Only the
Dharma Charkha of Emperor Asoka was adopted in place of the spinning wheel as
the emblem on the flag. Thus, the tricolour flag of the Congress Party
eventually became the tricolour flag of Independent India.
Colours of the Flag:
In the national flag of
India the top band is of Saffron colour, indicating the strength and courage of
the country. The white middle band indicates peace and truth with Dharma
Chakra. The last band is green in colour shows the fertility, growth and
auspiciousness of the land.
The Chakra:
This Dharma Chakra
depicted the "wheel of the law" in the Sarnath Lion Capital made by
the 3rd-century BC Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. The chakra intends to show that
there is life in movement and death in stagnation.
Flag Code
On 26th January 2002,
the Indian flag code was modified and after several years of independence, the
citizens of India were finally allowed to hoist the Indian flag over their
homes, offices and factories on any day and not just National days as was the
case earlier. Now Indians can proudly display the national flag any where and
any time, as long as the provisions of the Flag Code are strictly followed to
avoid any disrespect to the tricolour. For the sake of convenience, Flag Code
of India, 2002, has been divided into three parts. Part I of the Code contains
general description of the National Flag. Part II of the Code is devoted to the
display of the National Flag by members of public, private organizations,
educational institutions, etc. Part III of the Code relates to display of the
National Flag by Central and State governments and their organisations and
agencies.
There are some rules
and regulations upon how to fly the flag, based on the 26 January 2002
legislation. These include the following:
The Do's:
·
The National Flag may be hoisted in
educational institutions (schools, colleges, sports camps, scout camps, etc.)
to inspire respect for the Flag. An oath of allegiance has been included in the
flag hoisting in schools.
·
A member of public, a private organization
or an educational institution may hoist/display the National Flag on all days
and occasions, ceremonial or otherwise consistent with the dignity and honour
of the National Flag.
·
Section 2 of the new code accepts the
right of all private citizens to fly the flag on their premises.
The Don'ts
·
The flag cannot be used for communal
gains, drapery, or clothes. As far as possible, it should be flown from sunrise
to sunset, irrespective of the weather.
·
The flag cannot be intentionally allowed
to touch the ground or the floor or trail in water. It cannot be draped over
the hood, top, and sides or back of vehicles, trains, boats or aircraft.
·
No other flag or bunting can be placed
higher than the flag. Also, no object, including flowers or garlands or emblems
can be placed on or above the flag. The tricolour cannot be used as a festoon,
rosette or bunting.
The Indian National
Flag represents the hopes and aspirations of the people of India. It is the
symbol of our national pride. Over the last five decades, several people
including members of armed forces have ungrudgingly laid down their lives to
keep the tricolour flying in its full glory.
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