Knowledge Nugget: National Flag Day —10 must-know facts for UPSC Exam
(Relevance: The topic of the evolution of the Indian national flag and important aspects of it holds relevance for the UPSC exam, as previously, questions have been asked on this theme (do check them in the post-read questions). Thus, knowing about it from a holistic perspective becomes essential.)
On July 22, 1947, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the National Flag. The adoption of the tricolour marked a pivotal moment in India's journey towards establishing itself as an independent nation free from colonial rule. In this context, let's know about the Indian national flag in detail through 10 must-know facts about it.
1. Evolution of the Indian National Flag : In the early stages of India's freedom struggle, the need for a unifying flag emerged, leading to Sister Nivedita's proposal in 1904, featuring red and yellow colours symbolising victory and strength, along with 'Vande Mataram' inscribed in Bengali.
The first tricolour flag appeared in 1906, showcasing blue, yellow, and red stripes with eight stars representing provinces. Subsequent designs included the 'Calcutta flag' in 1906, the Berlin flag in 1907 by Madam Bhikaji Cama, and the Home Rule flag in 1917, each reflecting the evolving nationalist sentiment.
With India's independence announced by Lord Mountbatten in 1947, an ad hoc flag committee led by Dr Rajendra Prasad was established to create a flag representative of all communities. Following Gandhi's approval, it was decided to adopt a modified version of Pingali Venkayya's flag, which previously featured a charkha, was altered to the current flag with the Ashoka Chakra at its centre.
2. Adopted by Constituent Assembly on July 22, 1947: With three coloured stripes – saffron, white, and green – and the Ashoka Chakra replacing the charkha as the national emblem, the Trianaga or tricolour flag was officially adopted as the national flag of India on July 22, 1947.
3. Meaning and significance behind the Tiranga (Tricolour Flag) :Each colour in the Indian National Flag carries profound symbolism, reflecting the nation's values and aspirations:
♦ Saffron: The top band signifies courage, sacrifice, and the spirit of renunciation, representing the valour and sacrifices of freedom fighters.
♦ White: The middle band embodies purity, truth, and peace.
♦ Green: The lowermost band symbolises fertility, growth, and auspiciousness, reflecting India's agricultural heritage and commitment to environmental harmony.
♦ Blue wheel-Chakra: The chakra is intended to symbolise that life is in movement and that stagnation leads to death. It emphasises the significance of continuous movement and progress, underscoring the importance of forward motion in the nation's journey.
4. Ashoka Chakra in Flag: The Ashoka Chakra in the centre of the flag features 24 spokes, which represent the 24 hours of the day, symbolising the eternal wheel of law and the importance of righteousness. This is inspired by the Dharma Chakra and depicts the 'wheel of the law' in the Sarnath Lion Capital, which was created by the 3rd-century BC Mauryan Emperor Ashoka.
5. Flag dimensions and size: The flag can be as big or small as one wants, but the dimensions of the flag follow a specific ratio. 'The ratio of the length to the height (width) of the National Flag shall be 3:2.' So, the flag must always be a rectangle rather than a square or any other shape.
6. First Indian to raise the flag on foreign soil: Madam Bhikaiji Cama was the first Indian to hoist the Indian flag on foreign soil on 22 August 1907 during a revolutionary meeting in Stuttgart, Germany, showcasing India's aspirations for independence.
7. Flag Code of India: The use, display and hoisting of the National Flag in the country is guided by an overarching set of instructions called the 'Flag Code of India 2002'. It brings together all laws, conventions, practices, and instructions for the display of the National Flag. It governs the display of the National Flag by private, public, and government institutions. It took effect on January 26, 2002.
According to the Flag Code of India, paragraph 2.2, which came into effect on January 26, 2002, any person, organisation, private or public, or educational institution (including scout camps) can hoist or display the Tricolour on 'all days or occasions in accordance with the dignity and honour of the National Flag'.
It is against rules to display a damaged or disheveled National Flag. At all times, the National Flag must be displayed in a position of honour and should be distinctly placed.'No other flag or bunting shall be placed higher than or above or side by side with the National Flag; nor shall any object including flowers or garlands, or emblem be placed on or above the flagmast from which the National Flag is flown'.
The Tricolour should never be used as a festoon, rosette, bunting or for a decorative purpose. No advertisements should be festooned to the pole from which it flies. Traditionally, the Indian National Flag is folded in a rectangular shape, ensuring the saffron band remains on top.
According to Section 2 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, 'whoever in any public place or in any other place within public view burns, mutilates, defaces, defiles, disfigures, destroys, tramples upon or otherwise brings into contempt (whether by words, either spoken or written, or by acts) the Indian National Flag….shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with a fine, or with both'.
The Tricolour should not be stored in a way that might dirty or damage it. In case flag is damaged, the Flag Code instructs not to cast it aside or treat it disrespectfully but 'destroy it as a whole in private, preferably by burning or by any method consistent with the dignity of the flag'.
People, who are waving flags made of paper, should not throw these on the ground after the ceremony. The flag 'shall not be allowed to touch the ground or the floor or trail in the water'.
8. Flag manufacturing: After an amendment on December 30, 2021, the material of the flag has been decided as 'handspun and handwoven or machine-made, cotton, polyester, wool, silk or khadi bunting.'
9. National Flag on vehicles: Notably, the National Flag cannot be flown on any vehicle except those of the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Governor and other dignitaries. The flag should also not be used to cover the sides, back, and top of any vehicle.
10. Right to hoist the national flag is a fundamental right: In 2002, the Supreme Court of India declared the right to hoist the national flag as a fundamental right under Article 19(i)(a) of the Constitution, emphasising its significance in expressing freedom.
1. The design of the Indian tricolour is largely attributed to Pingali Venkayya, an Indian freedom fighter. Venkayya was born in Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh on August 2, 1876. He went to school in Madras and then to Cambridge University. He joined the British Indian Army and was in South Africa where he met Mahatma Gandhi, became his disciple and plunged into the freedom movement.
2. After returning to India, he published a book of flags containing 30 different designs in 1916. He wrote letters to freedom fighters including Mahatma Gandhi informing them about his idea of having a national flag and he spoke about it at Congress meetings.
3. In 1921, at a meeting in Vijayawada, Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders approved Venkayya's design. The first design comprised only two bands—red and green—and a charkha but on the insistence of Mahatma Gandhi, Venkayya added a white band. Subsequently, the red colour band was changed to saffron and the Ashok Chakra replaced the charkha.
4. Venkayya passed away on July 4, 1963. In 2009, a stamp was issued in his memory.
(1) Consider the following statements in respect of the National Flag of India according to the Flag Code of India, 2002: (UPSC CSE 2023)
Statement-I: One of the standard sizes of the National Flag of India is 600 mm * 400 mm.
Statement-II: The ratio of the length to the height (width) of the Flag shall be 3:2.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
(2) What is the number of spokes in the Dharmachakra in the National Flag of India? (UPSC CSE 2008)
(a) 16
(b) 18
(c) 22
(d) 24
(Sources: How the tricolour was adopted by the Constituent Assembly, India's 78th Independence Day: 10 interesting facts about the our National Flag, Explained: What are the rules for displaying the Tricolour?, Who was Pingali Venkayya?)
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Roshni Yadav is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She is an alumna of the University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University, where she pursued her graduation and post-graduation in Political Science. She has over five years of work experience in ed-tech and media. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. Her interests lie in national and international affairs, governance, economy, and social issues. You can contact her via email: roshni.yadav@indianexpress.com ... Read More
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