The Epic Journey of India’s National Flag

Our National Flag is a symbol of pride and patriotism for every Indian. It is a rectangular tricolor with saffron at the top. Green at the bottom and white in the middle. With a navy blue Ashoka Chakra in the centre of the white stripe. The flag has a rich history, evolving closely with India’s struggle for freedom.

Importance of our Tricolor Flag 

Our tricolor flag is the nation’s identity, unity, and sovereignty. It represents the nation’s values, principles, and aspirations and is a source of pride for its citizens. The Indian National Flag is a powerful symbol that evokes feelings of patriotism, sacrifice, and unity in diversity. It has immense historical and cultural significance, and it continues to inspire and unite Indians across the globe. The flag is also used on occasions such as Independence Day, Republic Day, and other national events as a mark of respect and honor towards the country.

How Our National Flag Evolved?

The Indian National Flag is not just a colorful piece of cloth, it is a symbol of a nation’s struggle for freedom, unity, and sovereignty. The evolution of this tricolor has a rich history, with several unofficial flags being hoisted before the final version was adopted in 1947. It all started in 1906 when Parsee Bagan Square in Kolkata saw the hoisting of India’s first unofficial national flag, which had three horizontal stripes of red, yellow, and green. Madame Cama and her exiled revolutionaries took it up a notch with the second flag in Paris in 1907, which had a saffron stripe instead of red. In 1917, Dr Annie Besant and Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak raised the third flag. This version had red and green stripes with the Union Jack on top. Then came the Congress party’s unofficial fourth flag, which was inspired by Congressman Pingali Venkayya’s idea of the tricolor. The fifth version, which was accepted by the Indian National Congress in 1931, had saffron on top, green at the bottom, and a white band in the middle with the spinning wheel (Charkha) in the center. Finally, in 1947, the Ashoka Chakra replaced the spinning wheel, and the existing Indian National Flag became official. So, the tricolour we see today is a result of a long and fascinating journey of India’s struggle for freedom and unity.

Rules for Flag Hoisting 

1. The National Flag should be hoisted in a clean and well-maintained area.
2. The flag should always be hoisted with dignity and should never touch the ground or be allowed to become crumpled or torn.
3. The flag should always be hoisted with the saffron color on top and the green at the bottom.
4. The National Flag should always be hoisted from sunrise to sunset. However, it can be hoisted 24 hours in well-lit areas, provided it is properly illuminated.
5. When hoisting the flag, it should be unfurled slowly and should not be allowed to flutter in the wind.
6. During the hoisting or lowering of the flag the national anthem should be played.
7. When the flag is hoisted in the presence of an audience, everyone should stand at attention and pay respect.
8. National Flag as decoration or for any commercial purposes.
9. The flag should never be saluted or homaged to any individual or organization.
10. The National Flag should always be stored respectfully when not in use.

How to fold and dispose of the National Flag?

1. First, place the flag horizontally on a flat surface.
2. Take hold of the lower edge of the flag and bring it up to the upper edge. This will create a rectangular shape with saffron and green stripes underneath the white stripe.
3. Next, fold the flag in half again, bringing the folded edge towards you. This will result in a triangular shape with only the Ashoka Chakra visible.
4. Now, begin folding the flag in a series of triangles, starting from the striped end and working toward the edge with the Ashoka Chakra.
5. Finally, tuck the loose end of the flag into the last fold to secure it.

Remember to carry the folded flag in your arms or palms to ensure that it remains safe and undamaged.