“It will be necessary for us Indians — Muslims, Christians Jews, Parsis, and all others to whom India is their home-to recognise a common flag to live and to die for.” – Mahatma Gandhi
When the National Anthem is sung and the Tri-colour hoisted, a feeling of pride runs through us. We are proud and grateful to be citizens of this country. The fight to win our independence was long and arduous. It took the courage and steadfastness of many brave people to secure it for us.
By law, the Tricolour has to be made of khadi. Only the Khadi Development and Village Industries Commission has the right to manufacture the flag. They in turn, allocate it to regional groups.
The flag is a symbol of freedom. India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru called it a flag not only of freedom for ourselves, but a symbol of freedom for all people.
The Indian national flag has been hoisted in some rare and exotic places around the world. On May 29, 1953 it was hoisted on Mount Everest, along with the Union Jack and the Nepalese national flag. It also went to space on board the Apollo-15 in 1971.
It was only in January, 2002 that Indian citizens were allowed to fly the flag through the year. Earlier, they could do so only special days like Republic Day and Independence Day. The Delhi High Court ruled that displaying the Indian flag was a part of the fundamental right to freedom of expression.
