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National Flag
Tiranga- National Flag of India
Name | Tiranga; Tricolour |
Use | National flag IFIS Normal.svg |
Proportion | 3:02 |
Adopted | 22-Jul-47 |
Design | Horizontal tricolour flag (India saffron, white, and India green). In the centre of the white is a navy blue wheel with 24 spokes |
Designed by | Pingali Venkayya |
The rectangular tricolor Indian flag is India’s national flag whose colors Indian saffron, white and green so is notable the 24-spoke wheel and Ashok Chakra mentioned in center in the navy blue color scheme. The Constituent Assembly of India adopted this flag after thorough discussion and meeting on July 22, 1947. It was the day while this flag became official flag of the country. The Republic of India therefore retained this flag as national flag of the country. Since then the terminology tricolor always remains the metaphor for the national flag of India. Historic background of this flag is that of Swaraj flag which Pingali Venkayya had designed for the Indian National Congress.
Special hand-spun cloth popularly named khadi is used to prepare the flag for which Indian law insists. As Mahatma Gandhi had popularized such cotton silk cloth it was suggested for usage. Indian standard is kept under consideration to ensure all factors are kept intact while preparing the flag for which a body had been established. The Commission dealing with it propagated to offer such rights to particular type of manufactures to develop a trend and most importantly ensure the respect of this flag.
Flag Code of India and several laws pertaining to national emblem governs flag use. In fact actual code of conduct forbids using this flag by any private citizen excluding usage on the national days especially on Republic and Independence days. India’s Supreme Court directed the Union Government in 2002 to take initiative through modification of code for flag usage by the citizens on the basis of an appeal by Naveen Jindal—one of the citizens. It was taken into account and the Central Government took steps to amend flag code for the restricted use by private citizens. The code also had further amendment in 2005 to permit extra use of flag in different types of adaptations on cloths in certain forms. Additional aspects associated with flag code is those governed for flag flying procedure and usage in juxtaposition of flags relating to the citizens and foreigners.
Colors of this flag—saffron showcases sacrifice & bravery while truth is shown through white and green indicates peace and purity. Ashok Chakra in the midst indicates the laws of righteousness or Dharma by the medium of this flag.
Evolution of the Flag
Several changes have incorporated ever since national flag was incepted for the first time to welcome a betterment. The freedom struggle of India and the time period which brought drastic change in country’s scene symbolizes through this flag. In fact changes underwent during the evolution of country’s national flag had encountered multiple variations until it was finally brought into its current shape. This flag do showcase the developments in political fields over the period. A few historic landmarks for national flag’s evolution are the following to notice:-
As history explains, India’s first national flag was the one which was hoisted in Calcutta’s (Kolkata) in the Parsee Bagan Square or Green Park on August 7, 1906. Three horizontal strips were used to develop that flag consisting of green, red and yellow color combination.
Madame Cama and her team of exile revolutionaries hoisted the second flag in Paris in 1907. That flag too remain similar to that of the first one barring slight changes in the top strip that showed a lotus sign while Saptarishi denoted seven stars. It was in Berlin that this flag had been exhibited while a socialist conference was going on there.
While Indian freedom struggle took a definite turn with political vision then the third flag was hoisted. The leaders Dr. Annie Besant and Lokmanya Tilak took the step to hoist flag while Home rule movement took the full swing. Arranged alternately this flag used to have five red and four green horizontal strips in it. Superimposition of seven stars as Saptarishi completed its design. The Union Jack sign indicated in the left-hand top or the pole end corner. One corner of this flag also had white crescent and star.
Andhra Pradesh youths designed a flag and presented that to Gandhi while All India Congress Committee session was undergoing in the Bezwada or Vijayawada during 1921. The flag was designed from the two major colors of red and green which represented the prominent Hindu and Muslim communities. Upon seeing it Gandhi suggested to add white strip as well that would showcase rest Indian communities while the nation’s progress was showcased through the spinning wheel in the middle portion.
Flag’s history remained complete breakthrough during 1931 when tricolor flag was chosen as a national flag after a consent post passing a resolution. It was an inspiration for new flag of today and the color was saffron, white and green with spinning wheel of Gandhi in center. Resolution clearly indicated that the flag won’t bear communal significance and shouldn’t be construed that way.
It was on July 22, 1947 that independent India chose to adopt its national flag. Significance of colors didn’t change post India’s independence upon accepting it as national flag. The only difference brought in it was the use of Dharma Charkha instead of spinning wheel to indicate flag’s emblem. It should be noted that Congress’s tricolor flag finally turned into Independent India’s tricolor flag.
Construction of National Flag
Flag code of India describes country’s national flag as the one in the two by three ratio hence length is 1.5 times of the flag width. Width and length of the three strips of this flag from India saffron or Kesari as mentioned in code and rest two colors white and India green are equally measured. Flag code doesn’t mention the Ashoka Chakra size though but it is clearly mentioned that the Chakra should showcase the 24 spokes to be set in consistent spacing.
Indian flag’s manufacturing standard is clearly indicated in section 4.3.1 of IS1 through a clear chart that defines Ashoka Chakra size clearly besides mentioning national flag’s nine specific sizes. In fact both flag code and ISI indicate mentioning of Ashoka Chakra whose printing or painting should be on flag’s both sides and only navy blue color be used. Colors used for different shades are clearly mentioned here to clarify the national flag code except navy blue used for Ashoka Chakra. The 1931 CIE Color Specifications describe each and every factor. Standard IS:1803-1973 describes about the navy blue color usage.
Colors of the Flag
The top band of India’s national flag is saffron color which indicates thorough power and strength of India as a nation. Peace and truth is best described through the white middle band and Dharma Chakra printed on it. Green colored bottom band mentions proper growth and fertility and country’s piousness.
Flag Code
India’s flag code has been changed on January 26, 2002. A new type of freedom was granted to each and every Indian after more than five decades that anybody could fly national on their workstations, homes or factories without any reservation of specific day or occasion. The citizens are free to hoist and display national flag with proud anytime and anywhere now. The legislation set on January 26, 2002 explains the important rules and regulations related to flying national flag which include:-
The Do's:
- With a purpose to develop inspiration for respecting national flag, it can be hoisted in the educational institutions like universities, colleges, schools & sports or scout camps anywhere in India. While hoisting flag in schools it is ensured that an oath of allegiance is promoted.
- By ensuring to maintain dignity and honor of the national flag, anybody from Indian citizens or private organizations/institutions run by such parties might display or hoist country’s national flag any day or occasion with the aim for ceremonial or display purpose.
- All citizens even private ones may fly national flag on their premises having been permitted by the Section 2 of new code introduced.
The Don'ts:
- None can use the national flag for communal benefits or used as cloths or draperies. The flag should be flown from sunrise to sunset no matter what is the weather condition.
- It is prohibited to intentionally allow national flag for ground touching or brought on water trail or floor. Draping over the hood or vehicle top, side or back and or on aircraft, boats, trains or any vehicles isn’t permitted.
- Other flags or buntings shouldn’t be placed higher than national flag at any cost. It is prohibited to keep any object like flower, garland or emblem above it. None can use the tricolor for festoon, rosette or bunting purpose.