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India Today
3 days ago
- General
- India Today
Decoding the tricolour: What the Indian flag colours symbolise
The Indian National Flag, known as the Tiranga or Tricolour, is a vibrant emblem of India's identity, heritage, and values. Each band and element on the flag carries deep historical and philosophical meaning, rooted in India's struggle for independence and its diverse cultural STRUCTURE OF THE FLAGThe flag consists of three horizontal stripes of equal width:Top: Deep Saffron (Kesariya)advertisement Middle: White (with a navy blue Ashoka Chakra in the center)Bottom: India GreenThe Ashoka Chakra is a 24-spoked navy blue wheel at the flag's official proportion is 2:3, with the three stripes of identical SYMBOL OF COURAGE AND SACRIFICEThe top saffron band represents:Courage, strength, and sacrifice: It highlights the spirit of selfless service, the legacy of martyrs, and the determination that powered India's freedom and selflessness: Saffron, associated with India's spiritual traditions, calls upon leaders and citizens alike to prioritise national good over personal SIGN OF PEACE, TRUTH, AND HONESTYThe middle white band stands for:Peace and truth: White projects India's commitment to harmony, non-violence, and peaceful coexistence among its diverse and honesty: The color underlines justice, transparency, and the guiding path of truth in public Chakra: Set in the center, this navy blue wheel or 'Dharma Chakra' (Wheel of Law) is inspired by the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath and invokes the ideals of justice, progress, and the dynamism of life and change. Its 24 spokes represent righteous conduct and forward EMBLEM OF FAITH, FERTILITY, AND PROSPERITYThe bottom green band symbolisesFertility and growth: Rooted in India's agricultural foundations, green denotes the country's rich natural wealth and bountiful and chivalry: It conjures hope, renewal, and the importance of environmental Green is also associated with vibrancy, happiness, and the promise of a flourishing ASHOKA CHAKRA: ETERNAL WHEEL OF LAWPlacing the navy blue Ashoka Chakra at the center of the white band brings additional layers of meaning:Progress and righteousness: The 24-spoke wheel, derived from Emperor Ashoka's symbolism, embodies motion, justice, and the law of It highlights the principle that India must always move forward, adapting and progressing in tune with universal current design, formulated by Pingali Venkayya and adopted on July 22, 1947, is the result of several iterations during India's freedom movement. Earlier flags used different colors and symbols, sometimes with communal significance. The final version was deliberately crafted to emphasize unity, secularism, and inclusiveness, avoiding any sectarian Tiranga is more than a national emblem—it is a daily reminder of the principles that bind the Republic of India.- EndsMust Watch
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First Post
4 days ago
- General
- First Post
History Today: When India adopted the Tricolour as its national flag
The Tricolour was adopted to be the national flag of independent India on July 22, 1947. The flag was designed by Pingali Venkayya in 1921 and initially consisted of red and green bands instead of saffron, white and green colours that are visible today read more The Indian national flag is a symbol of the country's freedom from 200 years of British oppression. Representational image The Indian national flag is a sign of the country's freedom from British rule. Fluttering high, especially on government buildings, the Tricolour invokes feelings of pride and nationalism in the hearts of Indians. But did you know that it was adopted just weeks before independence? The Constituent Assembly adopted the tricolour as the national flag of independent India on July 22, 1947. If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today, will be your one-stop destination to explore key events. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On this day in 2011, Norway experienced one of the deadliest attacks in its modern history when Anders Behring Breivik carried out a two-part assault that claimed 77 lives. Here is all that happened on this day. India adopted Tricolour as its national flag The Constituent Assembly of India officially adopted the Tricolour as the national flag of independent India on July 22, 1947, just weeks before gaining independence. This decision marked a defining step in India's journey to sovereignty. The flag, initially designed by Pingali Venkayya in 1921, had evolved through several alterations over the years as various designs were proposed and used by different factions of the Indian independence movement. The initial design featured red and green bands (symbolising Hindus and Muslims respectively) with the spinning wheel in the centre. On Gandhi's suggestion, a white stripe was later added to represent all other communities and peace. This 'Swaraj Flag' or 'Gandhi Flag' gained unofficial acceptance and was used during various Indian National Congress sessions. The flag consists of saffron, white and green colours along with the Ashoka Chakra. File image/PTI However, the need for a flag that represented all of India without any communal interpretations became paramount as independence approached. An ad-hoc committee, headed by Dr Rajendra Prasad, was tasked with finalising the design. On July 22, 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru moved the resolution in the Constituent Assembly that cemented the design. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This flag consisted of saffron (symbolising courage and sacrifice) at the top, white (representing peace, truth and purity in the middle) and dark green (showing fertility and prosperity) at the bottom. The Ashoka Chakra in the middle, derived from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Emperor Ashoka, symbolises continuous progress. The adoption of the flag was more than a symbolic gesture; it was a proclamation of identity. As Jawaharlal Nehru said in his speech during the flag's adoption, 'This flag is not only of freedom for ourselves, but a symbol of freedom to all people.' Deadliest shooting incident in Norway Norway experienced its deadliest attack since World War II, carried out by far-right extremist Anders Behring Breivik on this day in 2011. The two-part attack claimed the lives of 77 people and injured hundreds more. The first attack took place at approximately 3:25 pm, when Breivik detonated a powerful car bomb in the government quarter in central Oslo. The blast, placed near the office of then-Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, killed eight people and caused significant damage to government buildings, shattering windows and creating widespread chaos. Many public offices were less occupied than usual due to the summer holiday, which likely prevented an even higher casualty count. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Andres Behring Breivik gestured as he arrived during his trial in court in Oslo, Norway. File image/AP Roughly an hour and a half later, Breivik arrived at the island of Utoya disguised as a police officer. The island was hosting the annual summer camp of the Workers' Youth League (AUF), the youth wing of Norway's ruling Labour Party. For over an hour, armed with an automatic rifle and a pistol, Breivik systematically hunted down and shot the hundreds of mostly teenage attendees. He lured some victims closer by pretending to be a rescuer, resulting in a horrifying massacre that killed 69 people, many of whom were shot repeatedly or drowned trying to escape into the cold water. Breivik was arrested on the island without resistance. During his trial in 2012, he showed no remorse and described his actions as 'cruel but necessary' to fight what he believed was the Islamisation of Europe and the Labour Party's role in promoting multiculturalism. He was found sane and guilty and sentenced to 21 years in prison, the maximum under Norwegian law, with the possibility of extension. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This Day, That Year On this day in 1992, Colombian drug trafficker Pablo Escobar escaped from police custody. American aviator Wiley Post completed the first solo flight around the world on this day in 1933. In 1812, the duke of Wellington defeated '40,000 Frenchmen in 40 minutes' at Salamanca, Spain.
Hans India
4 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Honouring the symbol of unity and pride
National Flag Day in India, observed annually on July 22, marks a moment of national pride and remembrance. On this day in 1947, the design of the Indian national flag was officially adopted by the Constituent Assembly, just weeks before India gained independence. This day serves not only as a celebration of the flag itself but also as a reflection on the values it represents—freedom, unity, and sacrifice. The Indian National Flag, commonly known as the Tiranga, features three horizontal bands of saffron, white, and green, with a navy blue Ashoka Chakra (wheel) at its center. Each colour holds deep significance: • Saffron symbolizes courage and selflessness. • White represents peace and truth. • Green stands for growth and prosperity. • The Ashoka Chakra, with its 24 spokes, signifies the eternal wheel of law and dharma. Designed by Pingali Venkayya, a freedom fighter and agriculturalist, the flag was the result of years of struggle and evolution, reflecting the hopes of a nation on the cusp of independence. National Flag Day is a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by countless Indians during the freedom movement. It reminds citizens—especially the younger generation—of the importance of national identity and the responsibilities that come with it. Schools, colleges, and civic institutions often organise flag-hoisting ceremonies, patriotic programs, and awareness drives to educate people about the flag's history and significance.
Deccan Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Why our flag matters
Every country has a flag, but few flags have a story as powerful, as emotional, and as deeply symbolic as India's. The Indian national flag, also known as the Tiranga (which means "tricolour" in Hindi), is not just a piece of fabric fluttering in the wind. It is a symbol of sacrifice, unity, struggle, and freedom — woven together by history and the dreams of a nation. Long before independence, India had no official national flag. During British rule, flags represented the British Empire, not the people of India. But as the freedom movement gained strength in the early 20th century, leaders began to imagine a flag that could represent the Indian people. One of the earliest versions was created in 1906, with three horizontal bands of green, yellow, and red. Later, other versions followed, reflecting different ideas and political movements. The flag we know today began to take shape in 1921. A young man named Pingali Venkayya, a freedom fighter and designer from Andhra Pradesh, proposed a two-colour flag — red and green — to represent the two major communities of India. Mahatma Gandhi supported the idea but suggested adding a white band to represent other communities and peace, and a spinning wheel or "charkha" in the centre to represent India's self-reliance. This version became widely accepted among Indian nationalists, but it was still not official. When India gained independence from British rule on 15 August 1947, a final version of the flag was adopted. The spinning wheel was replaced with the Ashoka Chakra, a navy blue wheel with 24 spokes, taken from the Lion Capital of Ashoka, an ancient sculpture from 3rd century BCE. The modern Indian flag consists of three horizontal stripes: saffron at the top, white in the middle, and green at the bottom. Each colour has a deep meaning. Saffron symbolises courage and sacrifice. White stands for peace and truth. Green represents faith, fertility, and the land's rich greenery. The Ashoka Chakra in the centre is a symbol of the eternal wheel of law and progress. Its 24 spokes represent 24 qualities such as patience, courage, kindness, and selflessness. But the Indian flag is not just about design and colour. It is about the emotions it stirs in people's hearts. It reminds millions of Indians of the long, painful struggle for independence. It honours those who sacrificed their lives for the country. And it unites over a billion people, across languages, religions, and regions, under a common identity. There are also very specific rules about how the Indian flag should be displayed. The Flag Code of India governs everything from the size of the flag to how and when it can be hoisted. For many years, only government buildings and institutions were allowed to fly the national flag. But in 2002, the rules changed, and now any Indian citizen can proudly hoist the flag, provided they follow the guidelines with respect and dignity. The flag is also made in a special way. It must be made of khadi, a hand-spun and handwoven cloth promoted by Gandhi during the freedom movement. The production of the flag is strictly controlled, and only one organisation, the Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha in Hubballi, is officially authorised to manufacture the Indian national flag. The Indian flag has flown high in many historic moments. It was hoisted on 15 August 1947 as the country celebrated its first day of independence. It fluttered at the top of Mount Everest with Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary in 1953. It soared into space with Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space, in 1984. It stands tall in international sports arenas, embassies around the world, and on the uniforms of Indian soldiers. But it's not just about big events. The flag is part of everyday life in India. On Republic Day and Independence Day, schools, homes, and public buildings are decorated with tricolours. Children sing the national anthem and proudly wear flag pins. The Tiranga is printed on kites, sweets, clothes, and even painted on faces — a celebration of identity, freedom, and pride. For young Indians, the flag is a reminder of the past and a hope for the future. It tells the story of how people came together to build a nation. Spinning wheel The original design proposed by Mahatma Gandhi in 1921 featured a charkha (spinning wheel) at the centre to symbolise self-reliance. It was later replaced by the Ashoka Chakra to represent progress and dharma. Three colours aren't just about religion Saffron stands for courage and sacrifice, white for truth and peace, and green for growth and fertility. The flag was deliberately designed to represent ideals, not religions. Precise geometry The flag's proportions are always 3:2 (length to height), and the Ashoka Chakra has 24 equally spaced spokes — representing 24 hours in a day and the timeless wheel of law. Flag code India has an official Flag Code that governs how the flag must be made, displayed, and disposed of — from public buildings to school parades. A woman helped design the first version Bhikaji Cama, a prominent freedom fighter, was the first to unfurl a version of the Indian flag in 1907. It looked different from today's flag and included symbols like the sun and crescent — a symbol of unity in diversity long before independence.
