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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
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why Kashmir is a focal point of India-Pakistan conflicts
SHOWS: STORY: The April 22 attack in India's Jammu and Kashmir territory was the deadliest on civilians in nearly two decades in the country. But the area has long been a source of tension between India and Pakistan. They both claim the Himalayan region and it has been the site of multiple wars, insurgencies and diplomatic stand-offs. Here's a look some of the causes: ::British partition Colonial India was partitioned into two states at the end of British rule in 1947: mainly Hindu India and mostly Muslim Pakistan. Between Pakistan's northeast and India's northern tip is Kashmir. "Pakistan's argument has always been that because they were Muslim majority, especially in the Kashmir Valley, therefore, this territory should have naturally come to Pakistan." That's Ayesha Siddiqa, a war studies senior fellow at London's King's College. She said India's claim of Kashmir is also ideological. "The Indian Congress government was secular and their argument was that giving this territory to Pakistan on the basis of religious identity would mean that, you know, that would challenge India's existence as a secular state, which could have both Muslims and Hindus living together." In the end, the region was divided up: India had the Kashmir Valley, Ladakh, and Jammu, which was given semi-autonomous status. Islamic Pakistan controls Azad Kashmir, or "Free Kashmir", and the Northern Areas. In addition, China runs Aksai Chin. ::Conflicts and insurgencies Kashmir has been scarred by multiple conflicts over the years, including three full blown wars between India and Pakistan. In 1989, Muslim separatists in Kashmir began an insurgency, against what they saw as heavy-handed rule by India. India poured troops into the region and tens of thousands of people have since been killed. India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of arming and training militants. Pakistan denies those claims, saying it offers only moral and diplomatic support. Kashmir Resistance, also known as The Resistance Front, has claimed responsibility for the April 22 attack. ::Special status revoked In 2019, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government revoked Kashmir's semi-autonomous status and reorganized the state's administrative territories. Officials said the move would better integrate the region with the rest of the country. Pakistan strongly objected, downgrading diplomatic ties with India. But Indian officials say there have since been fewer large-scale attacks, and an increase in tourist arrivals. Though targeted killings of civilians and security forces continue to be reported. Siddiqa expressed concern over the renewed tensions between the two nuclear states. "What Kashmiris are very tired of is repression and state control on both sides. They want to live with dignity, without fear and without presence of militaries on both sides." After the April attack at the popular tourist site, crowds took to the streets. Among them, Mukhra Javed: "We just want to say that terrorism does not have a particular religion and we as common Kashmiris stand for peace and will always stand for peace." "This doesn't represent Kashmir," she added. "It doesn't represent us."
