Every year, on 26 January, on Republic Day, the President of the country unfurls the National flag. The day is celebrated as a national holiday as the Indian constitution came into force on this very special day. In 1930, Purna Swaraj, the declaration of India’s complete independence, was announced by the Indian National Congress.  

The national flag of India was accepted in its present form on 22 July 1947, during the Constituent Assembly meeting. On the same day, it was declared the country’s national flag. However, the flag code came into effect on 26 January 2002.  

While the President of the country unfurls the National flag on Republic Day, the Prime Minister hoists the flag on the Independence day of India.

National Flag of India – Introduction 

As mentioned earlier, the national flag of India came into existence on 22 July 22 1947, on Republic day. The first-ever Indian flag was formulated and hoisted on 7 August 1906 in Parsee Bagan Square, now called the Green Park in Calcutta. The second Indian flag was hoisted in Paris in 1907 by Madame Bhikaji Cama. In 1917, the third Indian flag was hoisted by Lokmanya Tilak and Dr Annie Besant. 

In 1921, an Indian flag came into existence and was dyed in two colours representing Hindus and Muslims. A white stripe was later added to represent other communities of the country, along with a spinning wheel, as recommended by Mahatma Gandhi. It represented the growth and development of the nation. 

A resolution was passed in 1931, according to which India could have a tricolour national flag. The national flag of India has three colours; saffron, white and green, along with Mahatma Gandhi’s spinning wheel in the middle. Later, on 22 July 1947, after India got independence and Purna Swaraj was established, the Indian flag was embraced by the Constituent Assembly with stripes and the Asoka Chakra in the middle. It ultimately became the National flag of India. 

Interesting facts about the National Flag 

Here are some facts about the national flag: 

• On 22 July 1947, the Indian flag was accepted. It was just before India got independence from British rule. 
• According to the Indian constitution, the national flag should be made using Khadi, a hand-spun cotton/silk/wool cloth.
• Pingali Venkayya designed the national flag of India. He was a freedom fighter belonging to Andhra Pradesh, a state in India. 
• Asoka Chakra represents the Laws of Dharma.
• The Ashoka Chakra in the middle of the national flag is the depiction of Dharma. Although its size is not recognized yet, it consists of 24 spokes, placed uniformly. It is navy blue in colour. 
• The length and width ratio of the flag is 3:2. All three strips should be equal in length and breadth. 
• In April 1984, the National flag flew to space with Commander Rakesh Sharma during the Indo-Soviet joint space flight. 
• The Village Industries Commission and Khadi Development have the right to make the National flag. 
• In Hindi, the National flag of India is called Tiranga. It has three colours and Asoka Chakra in the middle.
• At the Indo-Pak Attari Border, the largest national flag was hoisted, measuring 24 metres in width, 110 metres in length, and 55 tons in weight. 
• The first Indian woman to hoist the Indian flag on a foreign land was Bhikaji Rustom Cama. 

The three colours on the Indian flag represent different aspects: 

• Saffron colour represents courage and sacrifice.
• White represents truth, purity and peace. 
• Green represents prosperity.

Conclusion

The Indian National flag was designed by Pinkali Venkayya. The national flag of India was accepted in its present form on 22 July 1947, during the Constituent Assembly meeting. On the same day, it was declared the country’s national flag. However, the flag code came into effect on 26 January 2002.