PATHAKA

The National Flag of India, known as the Tiranga, features three horizontal stripes: saffron (courage and sacrifice), white (peace and truth), and green (growth and fertility). The Ashoka Chakra, a 24-spoke navy blue wheel, is centered in the white stripe, symbolizing justice and progress.

Saffron: Symbolizing courage and sacrifice, reminding us of the bravery and selflessness that have shaped our nation.

White: Representing peace and truth, encouraging us to pursue harmony and honesty in our actions.

Green: Denoting growth and fertility, urging us to work towards a prosperous and sustainable future.

Ashoka Chakra: Emphasizing the importance of justice and progress, inspiring us to uphold the law and strive for continuous improvement.

The history of the Indian flag is a tale of evolution and symbolism. It began with the Calcutta Flag of 1906, followed by various iterations like the Home Rule Movement flag in 1917. The modern tricolor was designed by Pingali Venkayya in 1921, originally featuring red, green, and white. Mahatma Gandhi later suggested adding the spinning wheel (charkha) as a symbol of self-reliance. In 1947, the flag was adopted in its current form, with saffron, white, and green horizontal stripes, and the Ashoka Chakra replacing the charkha. Each color and the wheel represent the core values of courage, peace, and progress.

The Flag Code of India governs the usage of the national flag, ensuring respect and dignity. It specifies that the flag must be made of khadi or hand-spun cloth and can be displayed by citizens, government institutions, and educational institutions. The flag must be hoisted with the saffron band at the top and should never touch the ground or be used for decoration or drapery. It must be displayed from sunrise to sunset and not be flown in inclement weather. Any damaged or soiled flag must be destroyed in private, preferably by burning. These guidelines ensure the flag is treated with the utmost reverence.