Decoding the tricolour: What the Indian flag colours symbolise
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 center.The flag's official proportion is 2:3, with the three stripes of identical dimension.SAFFRON: 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 movement.Renunciation and selflessness: Saffron, associated with India's spiritual traditions, calls upon leaders and citizens alike to prioritise national good over personal gain.WHITE: 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 communities.Purity and honesty: The color underlines justice, transparency, and the guiding path of truth in public affairs.Ashoka 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 movement.GREEN: 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 land.Faith and chivalry: It conjures hope, renewal, and the importance of environmental harmony.Prosperity: Green is also associated with vibrancy, happiness, and the promise of a flourishing nation.THE 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 dharma.Unity: It highlights the principle that India must always move forward, adapting and progressing in tune with universal values.The 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 associations.The 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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