True Meaning of Indian National Flag
This Independence Day, learn the true meaning behind our national flag, the symbol of our independence and unity.
Today is India’s 73rd Independence Day. People all over the country are hoisting the Indian Flag, saluting and being proud of our country. However, have you ever wondered why countries have different flag? Why are these flags so carefully designed? Do you know what our flag really means? Let me tell you what Mahatma Gandhi said. He said that a flag is a symbol of a free country. A flag show’s the world a country’s unique identity. It shows the world the countries beliefs and it’s morals. India had 5 flags during the Independence struggle. Our flag was carefully designed so that the world would know what being an Indian truly means. Our flag was designed by a farmer and freedom fighter named Pingali Venkayya. The Indian Flag contains three colours, it is also called as Tiranga which means “Tricolour”. As our flag is made up of three colours. Saffron(Orange), white and green. The middle white colour contains the navy blue Ashoka Chakra in the centre having 24 spokes in the wheel. The flag was declared as the Indian flag on 22nd July 1947 a few days before Independence.
The Indian Flag is made using a special type of cloth called Khadi (hand-spun cloth popularized by Mahatma Gandhi). Only the Indian government’s Khadi Development and Village Industries Commission is allowed to make the flags. The Karnataka Khadi Gramodyoga Samyukta Sangha is the only Khadi making unit that makes the Indian flag. There is a lot of meaning in the Indian Flag. It shows the country’s unity even though there are so many religions such as Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, etc. The tricolour and Ashoka Chakra (means Wheel of Law) of the Indian flag has a very deep and strong meaning.
The topmost part of the national flag is (Orange) saffron in colour. The colour means strength. It means that the people of India are brave and will do anything for their country. It also means giving up your ego and being united. The middle part of the Indian national flag is white in colour and shows the honesty, purity and peace of the country. According to Indian culture white means cleanliness and knowledge. It lightens the path of truth in order to guide the nation. The lowermost part of the Indian national flag is green in colour which represents the faith, fertility and success of the nation. It indicates the greenery of earth all over India.
The Ashoka Chakra is in the middle of the flag and is in Navy Blue colour. The Ashoka Chakra was engraved on the Ashoka Pillar in which four Lions are standing back to back. The statute was at the Sarnath Lion Capital made by Emperor Ashoka. It has 24 spokes radiating from the center which represents 24 hours in a day. The wheel means means movement. It means that the country should be changing and progressing. The country should never stop moving forward. Navy blue colour, of the Ashok Chakra in the centre of the white strip of the national flag, represents the truest color of the universe, which is the color of the sky and ocean.
Indians are very proud of the Indian Flag and it is very important to all of us. This is why laws were created to protect the flag and make sure no one disrespects it. The national flag code of India is a set of laws which say how to citizens of India and from other countries should handle the Indian Flag. This law clearly describes the flag’s measurements and design. The law also says that if someone uses clothes other than the Khadi it is punishable with imprisonment for three years including fine. The code specifies how the flag should be handled, how and when it must be hoisted, and how it should never be disrespected.
How fortunate that this year on Independence Day it is also Raksha Bandhan. A festival where a girl ties a rakhi to her brother, who promises to protect and take care of her. Let this be a reminder that in Independent India both girls and boys have a responsibility to take care of each other. Let’s fight for equality and make sure that none of our sisters are suffering. When the British ruled India they divided the country and made us weak. This is why they ruled us for so long. So today on Raksha Bandhan and Independence day remember we are all brothers and sisters and we must stay united and work for the development of India.
