India Flag
The history of the India flag has roots in the 20th century when India was struggling for the freedom from the British monarchy. There they felt the need for a national flag that would show a powerful sign of national goal and aspiration for their people. The Indian flag was formally announced as the national flag of India on 22 July, 1947 by the constitution Assembly. India’s flag has been designed by Pingali Venkayya. The India’s late Prime Minister Pandit Jawahir Lal Nehru described about the India’s flag as “a flag not only of freedom for us, but as a symbol of freedom for all people.”
The description of the India Flag is simple. The India’s flag is made in the proportion of 2:3. The national flag of India is made up of three equally straight parallel bands or color stripes i.e. deep saffron, white and dark green. At some places deep saffron color is interchanged with orange color. These bands are arranged in such a way that the deep saffron is set on the top, then comes white in the middle and dark green color at the bottom of the flag of India. Each color in the Indian national flag conveys a special message. Deep saffron indicates courage, sacrifice and the spirit of renunciation. White shows peace, purity and truth. The dark green shade represents prosperity, faith and fertility. These colors collectively give us the meaning of the India’s flag.
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In the middle of the pictures of the Indian flag a navy blue Dharma Chakra (wheel) is shown, which is known as ‘wheel of law or progress’ in the Sarnath Lion Capital. The Charka emblem in the India’s national flag is dating back to II Century BC. It is also known as “Ashoka Dharma Chakra” or simply “Ashoka Chakar” after Ashoka the Great. It symbolizes the Power of the State, governed by Dharma, which is known for its ancient Indian system of justice. It consists of exactly 24 rays or spokes which represents the 24 hours in a day and is a symbol of the continuation for life’s cycle. At the end of each ray is a dark blue half moon. The diameter of the wheel is almost equal to the width of the white portion used in Indian flags.
The Dharma Chakra was integrated in the central white bar of the flag instead of the simple Charka which was used symbolically by Gandhi ji and was also present in the flag of Indian National Congress. Flags of India are often called as “tricolour” or “Tiranga” (in Hindi), which indicates or refers to the Indian national flag. But the use, display or flying of flags of India is strictly followed as defined in the Indian flag code. Material used in making India’s flags is Khadi or hand-spun cloth. Other materials like cotton, silk or wool is strictly restricted for flag making.
At the outset of 2002 Union Cabinet made an amended in the Indian flag code allowing its people to hoist their national flag throughout the year, but it is made sure that the dignity, honor and respect of the national flag is safeguarded. The India’s national flag is also used by the Indian Army as war flag, hoisting on daily basis on their military installations.
Pictures of the Indian flag can be downloaded from internet, along with the maps of the India and the other detail of the country is also available on internet.
