History
of Indian Tricolor
 |
| Indian Flag |
A flag is a necessity for all nations. Millions have died
for it. It is no doubt a kind of idolatry which would be a sin to
destroy. For, a flag represents an Ideal The unfurling of the Union Jack
evokes in the English breast sentiments whose strength it is difficult to
measure.
The Stars and Stripes mean a world to the Americans. The
Star and the Crescent will call forth the best bravery in Islam."
"It will be necessary for us Indians Muslims,
Christians Jews, Parsis, and all others to whom India is their home-to
recognize a common flag to live and to die for."
- Mahatma Gandhi
Every free nation of the world has its own flag. It is a
symbol of a free country.The National Flag of India was designed by Pingali
Venkayyaand and adopted in its present form during the meeting of Constituent
Assembly held on the 22 July 1947, a few days before India's independence from
the British on 15 August, 1947. It served as the national flag of the Dominion
of India between 15 August 1947 and 26 January 1950 and that of the Republic of
India thereafter. In India, the term "tricolour" refers to the Indian
national flag.
The National flag of India is a horizontal tricolor of
deep saffron (kesari) 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. 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.
Evolution of the Tricolour:
It is really amazing to see the various changes that our
National Flag went through since its first inception. It was discovered or recognized
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:
Unofficial flag of India in
1906
The Berlin committee flag, first raised by Bhikaiji
Cama in 1907
The
flag used during the Home Rule movement in 1917
The flag unofficially adopted in 1921
The flag adopted in 1931. This flag
was also the battle ensign of the Indian National Army
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.
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:
ü 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.
ü 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.
ü 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.
Proud to be Indian...
Source: Internet
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