The National Flag of India

THE NATIONAL FLAG OF INDIA is in horizontal tricolor deep saffron at the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom in equal proportions. The ratio of the width to the length of the flag is 2:3 in proportion.
In the center of the white band, there is a wheel in navy blue to indicate the Dharma Chakra, the wheel of law in the Sarnath Lion Capital. This center symbol or the 'CHAKRA' is a symbol dating back to 2nd century BC. Its diameter approximates the width of the white band and it has 24 spokes, which intends to show that there is life in movement and death in stagnation.

The following is an extract from the preamble to the 'Flag Code of India' as posted on the official Home Ministry website of the Indian government:

The significance of the colours and the chakra in the National Flag was amply described by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan in the Constituent Assembly which unanimously adopted the National Flag. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan explained -"Bhagwa or the saffron colour denotes renunciation of disinterestedness. Our leaders must be indifferent to material gains and dedicate themselves to their work. The white in the centre is light, the path of truth to guide our conduct. The green shows our relation to soil, our relation to the plant life here on which all other life depends. The Ashoka Wheel in the centre of the white is the wheel of the law of dharma. Truth or satya, dharma or virtue ought to be the controlling principles of those who work under this flag. Again, the wheel denotes motion. There is death in stagnation. There is life in movement. India should no more resist change, it must move and go forward. The wheel represents the dynamism of a peaceful change."

Shree Sinha, 25 November 2003

The Saffron stands for Courage, Sacrifice and the Spirit Of Renunciation;
The white, for purity and truth;
The green for faith and fertility.

The design of the National Flag was adopted by India's constituent assembly on 22nd July, 1947. It's use and display are regulated by a code.
The Indian flag symbolizes freedom.
The late Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru called it a flag not only of freedom for ourselves, but a symbol of freedom for all people.

Earlier, there was a restriction on hoisting flags without any purpose. But on 26th January 2002, the flag code was changed. After 52 years, the citizens of India are now free to fly the Indian flag over their homes, offices and factories on any day. Except some basic rules to follow while flying the flags, all other restrictions have been removed. Now Indians can proudly display the national flag any where and any time.

There are some rules and regulations upon how to fly the flag, based on the 26 January 2002 legislation. These include the following:

The Do's

1. The National Flag may be hoisted in educational institutions (schools, colleges, sports camps, scout camps, etc.) to inspire respect for the Flag. An oath of allegiance has been included in the flag hoisting in schools.
2. A member of public, a private organization or an educational institution may hoist/display the National Flag on all days and occasions, ceremonial or otherwise consistent with the dignity and honour of the National Flag.
3. Section 2 of the new code accepts the right of all private citizens to fly the flag on their premises.

The Don'ts

1. The flag cannot be used for communal gains, drapery, or clothes. As far as possible, it should be flown from sunrise to sunset, irrespective of the weather.
2. The flag cannot be intentionally allowed to touch the ground or the floor or trail in water. It cannot be draped over the hood, top, and sides or back of vehicles, trains, boats or aircraft.
3. No other flag or bunting can be placed higher than the flag. Also, no object, including flowers or garlands or emblems can be placed on or above the flag. The tricolour cannot be used as a festoon, rosette or bunting.

Interesting Facts About Our Indian Flag:
1. Our national flag was hoisted on Mt. Everest, the highest peak in the world, on May 29 1953, along with the Union Jack and the Nepalese National flag.
2. In 1971, the Indian flag, went into space on board Apollo-15. It flew into space as a medallion on the spacesuit worn by Cosmonaut Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, during the Indo-Soviet joint space flight in April 1984.
3. On January 9 1982, the first Indian Antarctica Expedition planted the first Indian flag over Dakshin Gangotri. It was hoisted for the first time on the South Pole on January 17, 1989, by Colonel J.K. Bajaj.
4. On April 21, 1996, at 0352 hrs (IST), the first Indian and perhaps the first in Asia, Sqdn. Ldr. Sanjay Thapar, holder of many national and international records in parajumping and skydiving, jumped from an altitude of 10,000 ft from an MI - 8 helicopter and hoisted the Indian tricolour on the North Pole.
5. On Sept 28, 1985, the Tiranga set out on an around the world sailing expedition on board Trishna under Colonel T.P.S. Chowdhry and successfully returned home on January 10, 1987, cruising the high seas of the world and covering over 30,000 nautical miles in 470 days.