Jhanda ooncha rahe hamara Jhanda ooncha rahe hamara Jhanda ooncha rahe hamara

FARZANA SHAKIR offers interesting facts and highlights about the Indian flag, its origin and history

The dictionary describes the flag as “a piece of cloth hoisted on a pole with some symbols of nationality on it”, but to the people who live in that country, this very piece of cloth means so much more. It is a symbol of their identity within and outside their country, it is something to be revered, loved, cherished and held in utmost respect.

Come India’s Independence Day and many of us will dish out our Indian national flag, hoist it atop houses, wear it as a badge, carry or drape it around us during a parade. We may tattoo it to our faces, have flag-drawing competitions for the kids and generally treat it as the medal it really is. But how familiar are we with the history, origin and symbolism of the Indian tricolour? Here are some facts about the Indian flag.

History

The Indian flag has been in its present form since 1947. It has served as the national flag of the Dominion of India from 15 August 1947 to 26 January 1950, and of the Republic of India since. But the history and evolution of the Indian flag dates back to 1904 when Sister Nivedita, an Irish disciple of Swami Vivekananda, designed the first flag for India. This flag, containing red and yellow colour stripes and Bonde Mataram written on it was known as Sister Nivedita’s flag. The flag evolved in 1907 when it was designed by Madam Bhikaji Cama, Veer Savarkar and Shyamji Krishna Varma and had green, saffron and red stripes. Later in 1916, Pingali Venkayya produced a flag with two colours and a ‘charkha’. This design was not favoured because of the religious interpretation of its colours which represented only the Hindu and Muslim communities. In 1917 and 1921 two other modifications of the national flag came about, and the former was adopted by the Home Rule League as their official flag. Finally, Pingali Venkayya modified the Indian flag in 1931 to include three stripes each of saffron, white and green. The white in the middle had the symbol of a charkha This flag, representing all communities of India became the official flag of the Indian National Congress and was adopted as the National Flag of India with some modifications – the charkha was replaced by the ‘chakra’ in the middle of the white stripe. On July 22, 1947 the flag was deemed the national flag of India. It now acquired a new meaning; from being the representative of different communities of India, it now represented a nation.

Symbolism

The Indian flag,’Tiranga’ as it has come to be known, meaning tricolour, constitutes three horizontal stripes and the symbol of a wheel. The top stripe is deep saffron, followed by a white band with a navy blue wheel in the centre and a green strip at the bottom. The flag’s symbolism was explained by India’s first Vice-President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who stated that the saffron colour signifies of the width of the white stripe. On the flag, the wheel has 24 spokes symbolizing 24 hours in a day.

Code of Conduct

Certain rules govern the use of the Indian flag, as contained in the Flag Code of India

• When the national flag is carried in a procession or parade, it shall be on the marching right or in front of the centre of the line, if there is a line of other flags.

• The flag cannot be used as clothing from below the waist.

• When the Indian flag is raised, the saffron colour band should be at the top.

• No flag or emblem should be placed either above the national flag or to its right.

• The national flag or any imitation of it must not be used for purpose of trade, business, or profession.

• The national flag should always be taken down in the evening at sunset

Did you know?

• The Indian flag is made up of khadi.

• The ratio of the width of the flag to its length is 2:3 denouncement and disinterest in material things. It also stands for valour, sacrifice and unity. The white in the flag signifies the path of truth, purity and light to guide the nation. Green stands for fertility, prosperity and a strong relation to the soil. The wheel is called the “Ashoka chakra” and has been adapted from the Ashoka pillar in Sarnath. The diametre of this chakra is three-fourths

• Until recently, according to the Flag Code of India, citizens of India did not have the right to hoist the Indian flag except on important days like Republic Day, Independence Day and Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday. Industrialist Naveen Jindal challenged this in court when he hoisted the flag on his office building.

• All other flags should be placed to the left of the national flag if they are hung in a line.

• The national flag should be flown over important government buildings like the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the Parliament House, the Supreme Court of India, the High Courts, the Secretariats, the Commissioners’ office etc.

He was advised that the gesture would be taken as a breach of code of the Indian flag. He lodged a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) in court, but the decision is still pending. Temporary permission has been granted to Indian citizens to hoist the flag on any day, but in a respectable manner.

Whether you are in India or overseas, August 15 is a special day for every Indian. On this day we remember, cherish and pay our respects to those thousands of known and unknown soldiers who died fighting for our motherland. The independence and prosperity that we enjoy today are fruits of their sacrifice and bravery. Even today, tales and courageous feats bring tears to our eyes and intense emotions choke us.

According to my school history books, August 15 is “a red-lettered day in Indian the celebrations and sing patriotic songs. Also present are small contingents from the Army, Air Force, Navy and the Delhi Police. The moats around the Fort are cleaned and their edges and the walls of the Fort leading up to the ramparts are decorated with flowers. On this occasion, the highest peace time gallantry award, the ‘Ashok Chakra’ is conferred on deserving soldiers by the President. The presentation is made during the Republic Day celebrations the following year.

It was the year 1997 and India was national leaders was played. The then President of India, KR Narayan, called for a national movement against “corruption, communalism, casteism and criminalisation of politics”. At the Red Fort, the front of the ramparts was decorated with a floral design displaying the Chakra, the tricolour and the number 50. After the arrival of Prime Minister IK Gujral, the Guard of Honour presented the National Salute and the Prime Minister unfurled the National Flag. The band played the National Anthem, to the simultaneous opportunities to women.” He also declared his commitment to the eradication of corruption and said that this was “my first duty and promise to a nation.” history”; and as I grew and matured, I better understood the depth in the meaning of these words. As a young girl I was in complete awe of the people who fought for our country; the national flag and the national anthem meant so much to me. Even today, singing Jana Gana Mana…. gives me goose bumps. So, it isn’t surprising that I decided to tie the knot with a soldier of the nation. Being a part of the Independence Day celebrations in Delhi is like none other. The three years I spent there can easily be categorised as the best in my life. I got firsthand experience of all the national functions, including Independence Day. The countdown to these celebrations starts a fortnight in advance. My husband, who was then commanding a unit in Delhi Area, was actively involved in all the national functions - Independence Day, Republic Day and Beating of the Retreat. During one of the rehearsals, I even got the opportunity to go up to the podium from where the Prime Minister gives his signature speech after hoisting the National Flag. Sitting on the ramparts of the Red Fort creates a feeling of euphoria, as though its silent walls are trying to tell you a tale. One can see the whole of old Delhi with the Jama Masjid and Digambar Jain Lal Mandir standing across the road in front of the Fort with the empty streets of Chandini Chowk, which on usual days are bustling with life. Energetic and enthusiastic students from various schools across Delhi and cadets of the NCC assemble at the maidan in the wee hours of the morning, to take part in