Celebrating 78 years of Independence: The history behind India’s national flag and significance of tricolour
Independence Day of India approaches on August 15, the sight of the Tricolour, India's national flag, fluttering in the wind evokes memories of the sacrifices made by freedom fighters and celebrates the unity and diversity of the nation. The national flag, widely seen in shops and streets ahead of this day, symbolizes India's strength, peace, and prosperity. The flag in its current form was adopted on July 22, 1947, during a meeting of the Constituent Assembly, becoming the official flag on August 15, 1947.
The design of the flag, often attributed to Pingali Venkayya, features three colours: saffron, white, and green. Saffron signifies the strength and courage of the country, white represents peace, and green symbolizes fertility, prosperity, and the auspiciousness of the land. A navy-blue wheel, known as the Ashok Chakra, is centered in the white band, symbolizing truth and life with its 24 spokes representing continuous progress.
«It reminds us of the sacrifices made by countless freedom fighters and the enduring spirit of unity and diversity that binds us together.»
The process of adopting the flag began in 1921 when Mahatma Gandhi proposed a flag for the Indian National Congress. Venkayya presented a design to Gandhi at the All India Congress Committee in Bezwada in 1921, comprising two bands, red and green.
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«The three colours are spread in equal ratios. As per the flag code of India, the flag has a width: height aspect ratio of 3:2.»
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