NATIONAL FLAG
- The national flag of India, commonly known as the Tiranga, is a horizontal tricolour flag. It features three colours: saffron, white, and green, with a navy blue 24-spoke wheel at the center, known as the Ashoka Chakra.
- The Indian Constituent Assembly adopted the flag on July 22, 1947, and it officially became the flag of the Union of India on August 15, 1947. It was later retained as the flag of the Republic of India. In India, the term 'tricolour' is synonymous with the national flag.
- The design of the tricolour is largely inspired by the Swaraj flag, which was the flag of the Indian National Congress and was adopted by Mahatma Gandhi after significant modifications to a design proposed by Pingali Venkayya. In 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru replaced the charkha (spinning wheel) with the Ashoka Chakra on the national flag.
- Originally, the national flag was made from Khadi, a hand-spun cloth or silk made popular by Mahatma Gandhi. However, an amendment in 2021 allowed flags to be made from polyester or produced by machines.
- The new regulations permit the Tricolour to be made from hand-spun, hand-woven, or machine-made cotton, polyester, wool, silk, or Khadi fabric.
- The Bureau of Indian Standards oversees the manufacturing process and specifications of the national flag. The manufacturing rights are held by the Khadi Development and Village Industries Commission, which assigns them to regional groups. Currently, only four units in India are licensed to manufacture the national flag
- The Flag Code of India regulates the usage of the national flag and originally restricted its use by private citizens to specific national holidays like Independence Day and Republic Day.
- In 2002, the Supreme Court instructed the Government of India to amend the code to permit private citizens to use the national flag. The Union Cabinet later revised the law to allow limited use by individuals, and in 2005, further amendments were made to permit additional uses, including its incorporation into certain types of clothing.
- The Flag Code also outlines the protocol for flying the national flag alongside other national and non-national flags
- The Indian National Flag has undergone multiple changes before taking on its present form. According to knowindia.gov.in, the first national flag was hoisted on August 7, 1906, in the Parsee Bagan Square (Green Park) in Calcutta, now Kolkata.
- Madame Cama and her band of exiled revolutionaries hoisted the flag for the second time in 1907. That was very similar to the national flag, but the lotus was replaced by stars denoted the Saptarishi.
- The flag was hoisted for the third time by Dr Annie Besant and Lokmanya Tilak in 1917. This national flag was very different from the previous two as it has red and green horizontal stripes, seven stars in the saptarishi configuration, a white crescent and star, and the Union Jack.
- The fourth flag was hoisted in 1921 which was prepared by Andhra youth who took it to Mahatma Gandhi during the All India Congress Committee session. It has red and green colours representing Hindu and Muslim communities in India. Mahatma Gandhi added a white strip representing the remaining communities and a spinning wheel that symbolises national growth.
- The present-day flag was adopted in 1931 and used in the battle ensign of the Indian National Army. The moment when the resolution was passed to adopt the national flag holds special significance. It has saffron, white and green bands and Gandhi's spinning wheel at the centre.
- Later, when India gained Independence, the colours of our flag remained the same but Gandhi's spinning wheel was replaced with the Dharma Charkha of Emperor Asoka
- Pingali Venkayya, originally from a village in Andhra Pradesh, was a freedom fighter and an exceptionally bright student from a young age. After completing high school in Madras, he went abroad to pursue his graduation at the University of Cambridge.
- A true scholar, he developed interests in geology, education, agriculture, and languages. While serving as a British Army soldier during the Anglo Boer War in South Africa, he met Mahatma Gandhi and was inspired by his principles, forming a close bond with him that lasted over 50 years.
- During his service as a British soldier, Venkayya had to salute the Union Jack, which deeply conflicted with his patriotic feelings.
- After his interaction with Gandhi, he experienced a turning point and decided to dedicate himself to the Indian freedom struggle.
- Upon returning to India, he focused on designing a national flag that could unite the country and resonate with all communities. In 1916, he even published a booklet on flags, which included twenty-four different designs
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The Indian National Flag, also known as the Tiranga, has a rich history of design contributions, primarily attributed to the following key figures:
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For Prelims: Indian Constituent Assembly, National Flag
For Mains: GS I - Modern Indian History
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Previous Year Questions
1.Consider the following statements in respect of the National Flag of India according to the Flag Code of India, 2002: (UPSC CSE 2023) Statement-I: One of the standard sizes of the National Flag of India is 600 mm * 400 mm. Statement-II: The ratio of the length to the height (width) of the Flag shall be 3:2. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct Answer (d) 2.What is the number of spokes in the Dharmachakra in the National Flag of India? (UPSC CSE 2008) (a) 16 (b) 18 (c) 22 (d) 24 Answer (d) |
