National Flag of India

National Flag of India - Tiranga - The National Flag of India is known as 'Tiranga' in Hindi that can be translated as 'having three colors. This tricolor flag has a wheel of law in its centre and signifies the freedom and sovereignty of India and its people. It has horizontal stripes of equal widths of deep saffron band on the top, white band in the middle and dark band green at the bottom and the ratio of its width to its length is 2:3. The navy blow wheel situated at the centre of the white band is known as the Dharma Chakra or the 'Wheel of Law'. It has been adopted from the Ashokan Sarnath Lion Capital and has 24 equally spaced spokes to symbolize the law that reigns and keeps on run twenty-four hours of a day. The saffron color is said to be symbolic of courage, sacrifice and the spirit of renunciation; the white of purity and truth and the green is symbolic of faith and fertility.

The first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, presented it to the Constituent Assembly of India on 22nd July, 1947. it is made up preferably of hand-woven Khadi that is symbolic of the self-depence of the Nation but is available in all types of fabrics and materials. The rules and regulations related to the use and display of this sacred flag of India are included in the Indian Flag Code, which has just recently been amended to allow all Indian citizens to hoist it throughout the year instead of only on certain specific occasions such as Republic Day and Independence Day. However, there are some restrictions to maintain the dignity to the flag such as flying a damaged or disheveled flag or putting it up with the saffron band at the bottom, draping it over the vehicles or private funerals. It is considered unlawful to wear the Tricolor flag as a costume or print it and use it as cushion, napkin or handkerchief.