Flag-o-logy of Indian National Flag

Every independent nation in the world has its own flag. It symbolizes the will and spirit of the country. The national flag of India was adopted in its present form during the Constituent Assembly meeting held on 22nd July 1947, a few days before India's independence on August 15, 1947.  In India, the word "Tiranga" represents the Indian national flag.

The national flag of India is a horizontal tri-band of deep saffron (Kesari) at the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom in equal proportions. The ratio of length to the width of the flag is 2:3. In the centre of the white band is a navy blue wheel that represents the law.  It is based on the wheel that appears on the Abacus of Lion Capital of Ashoka. Its diameter is equal to the width of the white strip and has 24 spokes. Correct orientation in a vertical display of ‘Tiranga’, saffron should remain on the left side.

 

Development of ‘Tiranga’:

Our national flag saw various changes since its first inception. The development of the Indian national flag sailed through several anomalies to arrive at what it is today. In a way, it reflects political development in the nation. The following are some historical milestones in the development of our national flag:

 

•  Informal Flag of India - 1906

The first national flag in India is said to have been hoisted at Parsi Plantation Square (Green Park) in Calcutta on August 7, 1906.  The flag was made up of three horizontal stripes of saffron, yellow and green.

 

• Berlin Committee Flag - 1907

This flag was hoisted for the first time in 1907 by Madam Bhikaji Cama and her band of exiled revolutionaries in Stuttgart. It was similar to the inverted form of first flag except that the top bar had 8 lotuses and bottom bar was red. Sun and moon changed places and moon appeared without a star. The flag was displayed at a socialist conference in Berlin.

 

• Home Rule Movement Flag of 1917

The third flag appeared in 1917 when our political struggle took a certain turn. Dr. Annie Besant and Lokmanya Tilak unfurled it during the home governance movement. The flag had five red and four green horizontal stripes, which had seven stars in the Saptarishi configuration. In the top corner of the left hand (pole end) was the Union Jack. There was also a white crescent and star in one corner.

 

• Gandhi ji’s Flag in 1921

During the all India Congress Committee session at Bezwara in 1921 (now Vijayawada), the youth of Andhra prepared a flag and took it to Gandhi ji. It represents two colors-red and green-two major communities i.e. Hindus and Muslims. Gandhi ji suggested adding a white stripe, symbolizing India's rest of the communities. Gandhi ji also suggested the addition of Charkha, representing the progress of the nation as one and also to symbolise the self-reliance.

 

• Swaraj Flag of 1931

The year of 1931 was historic in the history of the flag. A proposal to adopt the tricolor flag as our national flag was passed. The flag was saffron, white and green with Mahatma Gandhi's Charkha at the centre. However, it was clearly stated that it did not have any communal significance and it was to be interpreted as such.

 

• India's current Tricolour flag

The Constituent Assembly assigned an ad hoc committee led by Rajendra Prasad on 23 June, 1947. The committee advised to adopt the Swaraj flag, with some modifications to make it publically acceptable, as the national flag of free India. After the advent of independence, colour and their importance remained the same. Only Emperor Ashoka's Dharma Chakra was adopted in place of Charkha as a symbol on the flag. Thus, the Tricolour flag of the Congress party eventually became the tricolour flag of independent India.

 

Flag Designer Venkaiyah:

The credit to design the Indian National Flag goes to Pingali Venkaiah (2, Aug., 1876 – 4 July, 1963). He proposed several designs for the flag but at that time he designed it for his party. Pengali was born in Bhattlapenumarru, Madras Presidency (present day Andhra Pradesh). Of course, the current national flag is not the original design put forth by Venkaiyah. He was also and educationalist and he set up an educational institution in Machilipatnam.

 

Symbolism:

Colour of flag:

The top band in India's national flag is saffron-coloured, which reflects the strength and courage of the country. The white middle band indicates peace and truth with the Dharma Chakra. The last strip is green in colour which reflects the fertility, growth and good wishes of the land.

 

Wheel:

This Dharma Chakra is depicted as the "wheel of law" in the Sarnath Sher Rajdhani created by the 3rd century BC Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. The cycle intends to show that there is life in motion and there is death in stagnation.

 

Flag Code:

Flag code of India-2002, is divided into three parts.

Part 1 of the Code contains a general description of the national flag.

Part 2 of the Code is dedicated to displaying the national flag by members of public, private organizations, educational institutions, etc.

Part 3 of the Code deals with the display of the national flag by the central and state governments and their organizations.

Before 2002, flag hoisting was only limited to governmental offices and associated buildings. 2002 reform of the flag code was the result of a very interesting case that prolonged for 10 years. Let’s take a look at that:

It was in 1990’s when Naveen Jindal, the man behind the big change, came back from America after his graduation. In 1992, Naveen hoisted the tricolour at his factory in Raigarh but was then objected by the police department on the ground that a private citizen, as per Flag Code of India, was never allowed to hoist flag except on certain days. Jindal filed a petition and after almost 10 years of struggle, Supreme Court legalised the public flag hoisting by stating that it is a right of every Indian citizen to hoist flag. Later, Supreme Court ordered to make a flag code insuring set of laws practices, rules and regulations regarding the tricolour.

 

There are some rules and laws on how to hoist the flag on the basis of the law of 26th January 2002.  These include:

DOs:

• The national flag can be hoisted in educational institutions (schools, colleges, sports camps, scout camps, etc.) to express respect for the flag.
• Pledge of allegiance can be taken for hoisting of flag in the schools.
• A member of the public, a private organization or an educational institution may unfurl the national flag on all days and occasions/ can be displayed, otherwise conform to the dignity and respect of the national flag.
• Section 2 of the Constitution empowers all private citizens to hoist the flag in their premises.

DON’Ts:

• Flags cannot be used for communal gains, drapery or clothing.
• As far as possible, it should be flown from sunrise to sunset despite the weather.
• The flag cannot be allowed to deliberately touch the mark in the ground or floor or water.
• It cannot be wrapped from the hood, top, and sides or behind vehicles, trains, boats or aircraft.
• No other flag or bunt can be kept higher than the flag.
• In addition, no object, including flowers or beads or symbols, can be placed above or below the flag.
• Tricolour cannot be used as rosettes or bunting.

 

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