The Tiranga, or Indian national flag, is not merely pieces of fabric waving in the air. It symbolizes freedom, struggle, ideals, and country-wide harmony.
Each crease in the flag is filled with million of sacrifices it underwent to achieve freedom.
It reminds each Indian that they are duty-bound to guard the honor of the country and be a part of its development.
In this blog, we’ll dive into the history, significance, and the profound meaning behind the three colors of the Tiranga.
The History of the Tiranga
The history of Tiranga is the history of India’s fight to remain free at all times.
The existing form of the Indian flag was adopted on 22nd July, 1947, a day prior to India’s independence from British colonial control.
It was evolved from the Swaraj Flag, which was the emblem of the Indian National Congress in their freedom fight.
It was designed by Pingali Venkayya, and it was modified in a number of different ways before it became the one that we fly high today.
It was meant to symbolize the dreams of a newly independent nation and the harmony of its various cultures and communities.
The Colors and Their Meaning
Tiranga is made up of three horizontal stripes of contrasting colours with saffron, white, and green tints, and Ashoka Chakra of Navy Blue colour in between.
Each colour has a significance which is highly symbolic and speaks a unique story of India’s ideals and spirit.
Saffron (Top Stripe): It is a vibrant color that represents sacrifice and courage. It honors the freedom fighters and martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the nation.
It motivates citizens to be selfless, courageous, and dedicated to the welfare of all.
White (Middle Stripe): White signifies peace, truth, and harmony. White demands honesty, transparency, and harmony with the multi-diversified nation of the country.
White signifies an appeal to Indians to remain peaceful and harmonize among themselves despite their difference of castes, religions, and languages.
Green (Bottom Stripe): Green represents the country’s natural resources growing in fertility and abundance.
Green reflects India’s agrarian heritage, living in harmony with nature, and hopes of a future of more prosperity. Green reflects advancement and sustainability with a natural flavor.
Ashoka Chakra (Middle Wheel): The 24-spoke wheel borrowed from the Ashoka Lion Capital represents the wheel of law and justice (Dharma) in a cycle shape.
It represents march forward and progress, and reminds all Indians that going back is in the wrong direction and the country has to work day and night for progress, equality, and justice.
Why Tiranga is more than a flag
To all Indians, Tiranga is a symbol of national pride. It is unfurled on national days such as Independence Day, Republic Day, and on international days to represent the nation at the international level.
The sight of the flag fluttering high gives rise to a sense of belongingness, respect, and thankfulness for the sacrifices made in the making of the nation.
The Flag Code of India also provides for the manner in which the Tiranga is to be treated with respect.
For example, the flag shall always precede other flags and never brought to the ground, and kept folded at all times when put into repositories. These are aligned with the way Indians treat their national flag.
The Tiranga in Modern India
The Tiranga continues to be a symbol that unites Indians across states and communities even now. It reminds the country of its struggle, triumph, and aspirations.
Be it cheering for Team India in an international sports event, celebrating a scientific discovery, or rallying behind the nation during times of adversity, the Tiranga comes together in people’s pride and unity.
There have been initiatives such as Har Ghar Tiranga initiatives that have recently been urging people to hoist the flag in their homes,
instilling once more that national pride is not only confined to public life but a part of daily living.
Conclusion
The Tiranga is a living testament to India’s odyssey — an odyssey of resilience, solidarity, and optimism.
Understanding the history of the flag and what it stands for lends meaning to the feeling of patriotism, reminding all Indians the responsibility of constructing the nation’s future.
Showing respect to the Tiranga and its values is how we bring alive the dream of a dynamic, inclusive, and prosperous India.
And the next time you catch a glimpse of Tiranga fluttering high above, spare a moment to reflect upon what it symbolizes.
Let that fill your heart with a sense of responsibility, loyalty, and unwavering devotion to the nation we call home.
Jai Hind!
