National Flag | Tiranga | Indian Flag

INDIAN FLAG

        The Indian National Flag symbolises national pride and is one of the most respected national symbols. The late Prime  Minister Jawaharlal Nehru called it "a flag not only of freedom for ouerselves but a symbol of freedom to all the people.

       As per the Indian laws, the national flag is to be made up of khadi.The flag code of India governs the usage of the flag. Initially, use of the Indian flag by private citizens was prohibited, except on national days like Republic Day and Independence Day. But gradually, some changes were made by the Union Cabinet about the flag's use by private citizens. The code was amended about its usage for hoisting and its adaptation on other types of clothes. 

 The national flag is popularly known as Tiranga, which means "three colours" or "tricoloured". It is a horizontal tricolour in equal proportion of deep saffron at the top, white in the midle and green at the bottom. The ratio of the width to the length of the flag is 2:3. At the centre of the white band is a wheel with 24 spokes in navy blue colour that indicates the Dharma Chakra (Wheel of Law).  

Significance of Indian Naional Flag colours:

Saffron: Saffron is a symbol of courage and  sacrifice.

White: The white colour represents honesty, peace, and purity. It highlights the importance of maintaining peace in the country.

Green: The green colour represents faith and chivalry. It is symbol of prosperity, vibrancy, and life.

Ashoka Chakra: The Ashoka Chakra or the Dharma Chakra (Wheel of Law) has 24 spokes and appears on a number of edicts of Ashoka.

History of Indian National Flag:

         The Indian National Flag represents Indian's long struggle for freedom. It signifies the status of India as an independent republic. The flag came into being in its present form at the meeting of Constitutional Assembly on 22 July 1947. Since then it has served as the National Flag of the Dominion of India from 15 August 1947 to 26 January 1950 and, thereafter, as the national flag of the Republic of India. The Indian National three equal strips of saffron, white and green.

           When India got independence, a committee headed by Rajendra Prasad was formed to select the National Flag of India. The committee decided to adopt the flag of Indian National Cngress, with suitable modifications, as the glag of independent India. As a result, the flag of 1931 was replaced by 'Chakra'(Wheel) and hence our National Flag came into being.

Manufacturing of the Indian National Flag:
           The 'Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) sets standards for the manufacture of the flag. It specifies the cloth, dye, colour, and thread count besides laying out rules regarding its hoisting. The Indian flag can only be made of 'khadi'. It is made of two types of Khadi- one for its main part and the other one for the cloth that holds the flag to the staff.

Code of Conduct of the Tiranga flag

• When the National Flag is raised the saffron colour band should be at the top.
• No flag or emblem should be placed either above the National Flag or to its right.
• All other flags are to be placed to the left of the National Flag if they are hung in a line.
• When the national flag is carried out in a procession or parade, it shall be on the marching right or in front of the center of the line, if there is a line of other flags. 
• Normally the national flag should be flown over important government buildings like the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the Parliament House, the Supreme Court of India, the High Court, the Secretariats, the Commissioners' office etc.
• The national flag or any imitation of it must not be used for purpose of trade, business, or profession.
• The national flag should always be taken down in the evening at sunset.    

Some FAQs based on Indian National Flag

1. Who designed the national flag of India ?
    The Indian National flag was designed by Pingali Venkayya in the year 1931.
2. What is the meaning of each colour present in the Indian National Flag ?
    There are 3 colours in the national flag and it is commonly known as Tiranga ( meaning tri-colour). The three colours are saffron, white and green.
3. What does Ashoka Chakra represent in the flag ?
    The Ashoka Chakra or whel from the Lion Capital of Ashoka represents the Dharma and Law.
4. Why is Ashoka Chakra navy blue in colour ?
     Ashoka Chakra is navy blue in colour as it represents the colour of sky and ocean. It is kept in between the white strip of the tiranga to indicate the most truth of the universe.
5. How many spokes are there in the national flag ?
     There are 24 spokes in the Indian National Flag.
6. Why Ashoka Chakra was adopted in the flag and why there are only 24 spokes in it ?
     Ashoka Chakra was adopted in the national flag to represent the Dharma and Law. All 24 spokes represent Love, Courage, Patience, Peacefulness, Magnanimity, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Selflessness, Self-Control, Self Sacrifice, Truthfulness, Righteousness, Justice, Mercy, Gracefulness, Humility, Empathy, Sympathy, Spiritual, Knowledge, Moral Values, Spiritual Wisdom, The Fear of God and Faith (Belief and Hope).
7. When was the national flag of India adopted ?
     The Indian National flag was adopted on 22 July 1947.
8. When and where was it first hoisted ?
     The first national flag in India was hoisted on August 7, 1906, in the Parsee Bhawan Square (Green Park) in Calvutta now Kolkata.