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Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Khalistani supporters would not insult Tricolour if they knew its history: Report
Toronto: Khalistani supporters residing in other nations, who often disrespect the Indian flag, would not insult the Tricolour if they had even the slightest understanding of its history, a report detailed on Friday. India's Tricolour is made up of three colours - saffron, white and green. "The top band is saffron, representing the country's strength and courage. The middle white band, with the Dharma Chakra, symbolizes peace and truth. The bottom green band represents fertility, growth, and the sanctity of the land. At the center is the Ashoka Chakra, taken from the Sarnath pillar built by Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. The intention behind displaying this wheel is to convey that life is dynamic — to stop is to die," the Khalsa Vox report mentioned. "When the Tricolour was first designed before independence, the white band was placed on the top. However, Sikh community opposed it, resulting in saffron colour being placed at the top, with the sentiment that even a weak person would get strength after seeing it and contribute more powerfully to the freedom struggle of India," it added. Earlier, a spinning wheel was present in the Tricolour instead of Ashok Chakra. However, later, Ashok Chakra replaced it and the Tricolour in its final form became saffron on top, white in the middle, and green at the bottom. This Tricolour then became the symbol of India's independence. It was officially adopted as the national flag after India attained freedom. Since then, it is duty of every citizen of India to honour the Tricolour. Earlier, only government offices or officials were allowed to hoist the Tricolour. However, the flag is now also flown on people's homes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's started the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign. Prior to Independence Day, the Tricolour is sold in the markets and people display it on their homes and vehicles. "People, including the Sikh community, should feel proud as their sacred colour is placed at the top of the Tricolour, However, nowadays, a concerning trend is being observed, even within India, where a major conspiracy seems to be at play — Sikh symbols are being changed from saffron to yellow. The traditional Nishan Sahib, which has always been saffron, is now increasingly being displayed in yellow — a matter that calls for serious reflection," stated the Khalsa Vox report.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Match sacrifice of freedom fighters to build stronger, more compassionate India: RSS chief Bhagwat
On the occasion of India's 79th Independence Day, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat hoisted the national flag at the Utkal Bipanna Sahayata Samiti in Bhubaneswar on Friday, amid an enthusiastic gathering of Sangh supporters and volunteers. In his address, Mohan Bhagwat exhorted Indians to match the dedication and sacrifice of the freedom fighters in building a stronger, more compassionate nation. Addressing the gathering, Bhagwat reflected on India's long and arduous journey to freedom. He recalled the first significant attempt in 1857 and the relentless struggle carried forward over three generations through both armed resistance and non-violent movements. 'Our ancestors made unimaginable sacrifices, braving imprisonment and hardship, all for the dream of an independent India,' he said. Bhagwat emphasised the importance of remembering and honouring the sacrifices made by those who fought for the nation's freedom. He delved into the essence of 'Swaraj', breaking it down into 'Swa' (self) and 'Raj' or 'Tantra' (system), asserting that a truly free India must function with systems rooted in self-identity and self-awareness. 'To preserve and strengthen this spirit, continuous collective effort is essential,' he added. Describing India as a nation with a unique global mission, Bhagwat said the country exists to promote peace, harmony, and dharma. He pointed to the Dharma Chakra at the heart of the national flag as a symbol of this universal purpose. 'Even though we achieved political independence in 1947, the journey to make India truly self-reliant and just, continues,' he said. True freedom, Bhagwat added, lies in ensuring happiness, security, and dignity for every citizen, while also guiding a troubled world towards harmony through the vision of dharma. He urged people to match the dedication and sacrifice of the freedom fighters in building a stronger, more compassionate nation. "India must rise as a 'Vishwaguru' — a global leader offering solutions for today's challenges and shaping a better, happier world," he said. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the national celebrations by hoisting the Tricolour at the Red Fort in New Delhi. In his address to the nation, PM Modi called the Independence Day a festival of 140 crore resolutions, celebrating collective achievements and the enduring spirit of unity. He reflected on the infinite possibilities that emerged in 1947, and the visionary efforts of the Constituent Assembly, which, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, gave the country its Constitution. 'For the past 75 years, the Constitution of India has been our guiding light,' he said.
India.com
5 days ago
- General
- India.com
Independence Day: Tracing Evolution Of Indian Flag - From British Era To Modern-Day Tri-Colour
photoDetails english 2946039 Seeing the national flag of India anywhere ignites a feeling of patriotism and respect for all the sacrifices that our freedom fighters had to make. When the Indian flag was hoisted on the land of free India for the first time on August 15, 1947, it was a moment of pure joy and pride, to this day that feeling lives on. However, the tricolor flag, hoisted at the early hours of August 15, 1947, that stood tall as the dawn of a new era was not India's first flag. Here is an evolution of the Indian national flag: Updated:Aug 14, 2025, 07:28 PM IST History in Chennai 1 / 7 Chennai's Fort St. George holds the 12-foot long, 8-foot-wide piece of pure silk, hanging in the Indian Independence Gallery of the Fort St. George Museum. According to an official government release, this flag is one of the first ever hoisted in independent India on August 15, 1947. It is one of the surviving flags from that day. Photo Credit: Representational Image/Freepik 1906 2 / 7 During the Swadeshi and Boycott movement in 1906 an Indian flag was first hoisted in Calcutta; however it was different from the one we proudly display today. Photo Credit: PIB 1907 3 / 7 In 1907, Madam Bhikaji Cama raised a similar flag in Paris, carrying the message of India's struggle to the global stage. Photo Credit: PIB 1921 4 / 7 In 1917, during the Home Rule Movement led by Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak, another flag was hoisted, signaling the demand for self-governance. According to the release, , "It wasn't until 1921 that the flag took on a more familiar form, designed by Pingali Venkayya. His design, with its three stripes representing the various communities of India, was a call for unity in diversity. The spinning wheel at the centre symbolised India's economic self-reliance." Photo Credit: PIB 1931 5 / 7 Another transformation came in 1931, when the flag's colours were finalized as: saffron, white, and green. The saffron stood for courage, white for peace, and green for fertility and growth. Photo Credit: PIB 1947 6 / 7 The chakra in the 1931 flag was replaced by the Dharma Chakra. This flag, formally was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on July 22, 1947, became the Tiranga. Photo Credit: PIB The Tricolour 7 / 7 India's Tiranga reminds every citizen of the struggles endured, the victories achieved, to stand in a free country today. Photo Credit: Representational Image/Freepik
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Independence Day 2025: Decoding the Indian Flag, its meaning and the man behind it
On Independence Day, the Indian flag will fly high across the country, a symbol of pride for every citizen. It is more than just a date– it marks our freedom and honours the struggles of those who fought for it. The national flag stands at the heart of this celebration, representing courage, peace, and growth. Each colour has its meaning: saffron stands for courage and sacrifice; white signifies peace and truth; green denotes fertility, growth and auspiciousness. The navy-blue Dharma Chakra (wheel of law) in the centre speaks to life in movement– stagnation is death. More than a piece of cloth, the flag reflects the spirit of India and the unity of its people, reminding us of the values we hold dear and the journey our nation has taken. What the tricolour really stands for We call it the Tiranga, or tricolour, because of its three bold stripes: saffron on top, white in the middle, and green at the bottom. These colours aren't just decorative– they carry a message. Saffron represents courage and sacrifice, white stands for peace and truth, and green signifies fertility, growth and auspiciousness. At the centre is the Ashoka Chakra, a navy-blue wheel with 24 spokes. More than a design, it represents the wheel of law, continuous progress, and the principle that life is movement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dwarka's New Hotspot: Excellent Investment Opportunity Omaxe state Learn More Undo The first attempts at a national flag The idea of a national flag predates independence. In 1904, Sister Nivedita, an Irish disciple of Swami Vivekananda, designed one of the earliest known Indian flags– a red-and-yellow banner featuring a thunderbolt (vajra), the symbol of strength, and the words Bonde Matoram (Bengali form of Vande Mataram). It was displayed at a Congress exhibition in 1906, according to Mint. Pingali Venkayya and the charkha flag In 1921, Mahatma Gandhi asked Pingali Venkayya to design a flag that could represent the spirit of India. Venkayya's version featured two colours with a charkha (spinning wheel) at the centre, symbolising self-reliance. This 'Swaraj flag' soon became a powerful emblem of the freedom movement. The 1931 tricolour By 1931, there was a call for a flag that would be acceptable to all communities. The Congress adopted a saffron-white-green tricolour with the charkha in the centre, clarifying that it had no communal meaning, as per newindiasamachar(dot)pib(dot)gov(dot)in. This became the immediate forerunner of our present flag. The final version: Adopted in 1947 As per newindiasamachar(dot)pib(dot)gov(dot)in, on 22 July 1947, just weeks before independence, the Constituent Assembly adopted the national flag in its current form. The colours remained unchanged, but the Dharma Chakra from the Ashoka at Sarnath replaced the charkha at the centre. Why the chakra matters The Ashoka Chakra, with its 24 spokes, sits in the middle of the white band. It represents the wheel of law (Dharma Chakra) and conveys that there is life in movement and death in stagnation. Its design is directly inspired by the stone wheel found on the Ashoka at Sarnath, dating back to the 3rd century BCE. Images: Canva (for representative purposes only)
Mint
5 days ago
- General
- Mint
79th Independence Day: Who designed the Tricolour? Did you know first Indian flag had yellow and red? 10 amazing facts
Did you know who designed India's first national flag? What the colours in the flag represented, how to fly the flag and how to avoid incorrect display of national flag? As the country celebrates its 79th Independence Day on Friday, August 15, here are 10 amazing facts about the "tricolour" or the "tiranga" – our national flag. The National Flag of India, in its present form, was adopted on July 22, 1947 – a few days before India's independence from the British on August 15, 1947. In India, the term "tricolour" refers to the Indian national flag. India's national flag is a horizontal tricolor of deep saffron (kesari) at the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom in equal proportion. In the centre of the white band is a navy blue wheel which represents the 'Ashok Chakra'. Its design is that of the wheel which appears on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka. The Ashok Chakra (also spelled Ashoka Chakra) is a depiction of the 'Dharma Chakra' (Wheel of Law). The saffron colour in the top band of the flag indicates the strength and courage of the country. The white middle band indicates peace and truth with Dharma Chakra. The last green-coloured band shows the fertility, growth and auspiciousness of the land. Its diameter approximates to the width of the white band and it has 24 spokes. This Dharma Chakra depicts 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. As per the rules, the National Flag shall be rectangular in shape. The flag can be of any size but the ratio of the length to the height (width) of the National Flag shall be 3:2. In the evolution of the national flag, lies the different phases of the fight for independence. The Ministry of Culture recalled the historic journey of how our National flag evolved to become the iconic Tiranga. In around 1904, Sister Nivedita, an Irish disciple of Swami Vivekananda, designed a flag that is considered one of the earliest designs for an Indian national flag. According to a government's press release, Nivedita designed a prototype of the first Indian national flag with the 'Vajra' – the weapon of the Hindu deity Indra, representing strength at the centre – on the ideals of self-sacrificing great sage Dadhichi. The interesting evolution of Indian national flag Her flag also featured yellow and red colors, and a white lotus in the center, symbolising purity. The Bengali phrase "Bonde Mataram" was inscribed on the flag. The flag was displayed in the exhibition organised by the Indian Congress in 1906. However, it did not gain widespread recognition or become the official flag, according to BYJU'S. The design that ultimately evolved into the Indian national flag and was formally adopted in 1947 is credited to Pingali Venkayya. Many flags were designed but it was in 1921 when Mahatma Gandhi asked Pingley Venkayya to design a national flag, for Freedom Movement , which should have a 'Charkha' in the flag as it represented self reliance, progress and common man. It was also called the Swaraj flag, the Gandhi flag and the Charkha Flag. However, in 1931, a seven-member flag committee was established in Karachi to modify the flag and they had given a new design. Later, Pingley Venkayya's flag was decided to be modified. Instead of the Charkha, the emblem of Ashoka's Sarnath pillar, the wheel , was decided upon. None of the colours had any communal significance. Finally, in July 1947, the Constituent Assembly formally adopted the flag of free India. The spinning wheel was replaced by the Dharma Chakra of Emperor Ashoka, symbolizing truth and life. This came to be called the Tiranga. Yes. There are some rules and regulations upon how to fly the flag, based on the 26 January 2002 legislation. The use, display and hoisting of the National Flag is guided by the 'Flag Code of India 2002' and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. And yes, there any rules for prevention of insult to the Indian National Flag. The following should be observed: • The National Flag shall not be used as a portion of costume or uniform or accessory of any description which is worn below the waist of any person nor shall it be embroidered or printed on cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, undergarments or any dress material. • There shall be no lettering upon the National Flag. • The National Flag shall not be used to wrap, receive, or deliver things. • The National Flag shall not be used to cover the sides, back, and top of any vehicle. • Whenever the National Flag is on display, it should occupy the position of honour and should be distinctly placed. A damaged or dishevelled National Flag should not be displayed. • The National Flag shall not be displayed in an inverted manner; i.e.; the saffron band should not be the bottom band. • A damaged or dishevelled National Flag shall not be displayed. • The National Flag shall not be dipped in salute to any person or thing. • The National Flag shall not be used as a festoon, rosette, bunting, or in any other manner for decoration. • The National Flag shall not be allowed to touch the ground or the floor or trail in the water. • The National Flag shall not be displayed or fastened in any manner as may damage it. • The National Flag should not be flown from a single masthead (top part of a flagpole) simultaneously with any other flag or flags. • The National Flag shall not be used to cover a speaker's desk, nor shall it be draped over a speaker's platform. • The National Flag shall not be used as a portion of costume or uniform or accessory of any description which is worn below the waist of any person nor shall it be embroidered or printed on cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, undergarments or any dress material. • As per paragraph 2.2 of the Flag Code of India, if the National Flag is damaged, it shall be destroyed as a whole in private, preferably by burning or any other method considering the dignity of the National Flag. • The National Flag, made of paper, is waved by the general public, but these flags should not be discarded on the ground. These should be discarded in private, keeping in mind the dignity of the National Flag. The Flag Code of India, 2002 was amended vide Order dated December, 2021 and National Flag made of polyester or machine made Flag have been allowed. Now, the National Flag shall be made of handspun and handwoven or machine-made, cotton/polyester/wool/silk/khadi bunting
