​Who designed the Tricolour, the national flag of India?​

The Indian national flag, called the Tiranga, waves as a symbol of unity, sacrifice, and dreams for over a billion people. Its bold stripes evoke nostalgic emotions, reminding us of the freedom struggle and the nation’s unbreakable spirit.

More than cloth, it is a living emblem of resilience, hoisted high from border outposts to quiet homes. Every colour and spoke carries stories of heroes who fought for independence, turning a simple design into a beacon of hope. But who designed our national flag with such visionary idealism?

The Tiranga gets its name from “Tri,” meaning three, and “Ranga,” meaning colours, forming a horizontal tricolour rectangle. Saffron at the top stands for courage and sacrifice, evoking the bravery of warriors. White in the middle symbolises peace, truth, and purity, a nod to non-violence in the freedom fight. Green at the bottom represents faith, fertility, and prosperity, reflecting India’s lush lands and hopeful future.

At the centre shines a navy blue 24-spoke wheel, the Ashoka Chakra, drawn from Emperor Ashoka’s Lion Capital. Each spoke symbolises progress and the 24 hours of the day, urging constant forward motion under the law of Dharma. Adopted over earlier spinning wheel ideas, it marks India’s shift to governance and justice. This wheel is not just decor; it is a call to ethical living, making the flag a timeless guide for balanced growth and moral strength.

Pingali Venkayya, born on August 2, 1876, near Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh, designed the base of the flag for the Indian National Congress. A freedom fighter, he sketched early versions blending red and green with a spinning wheel. His 1931 prototype evolved through modifications into the 1947 Tiranga. Despite his contribution, Venkayya died poor and largely overlooked in 1963. India later honoured him with a 2009 postage stamp, recognising his quiet genius behind the nation’s proud banner.

The Constituent Assembly adopted the Tiranga on July 22, 1947, finalising it for independence on August 15, 1947. Venkayya’s initial Congress flag underwent several changes during this process. This evolution recognised India’s unity in diversity. From protest marches to the midnight tryst with destiny, it flew as a promise of sovereignty, cementing its place in every Indian’s heart.

The Tiranga must be made of khadi or handspun silk, as per specifications set by the Bureau of Indian Standards. No other materials are allowed, keeping production pure and rooted in India’s freedom struggle. India’s tallest flag soars 360 feet at Atari on the India-Pakistan border, visible kilometres away. Hoisted daily with rituals, it demands dignity, no dragging and proper folding. People stand still, many with hands on their hearts, as it rises. These rules safeguard its sanctity, turning every unfurl into a salute to the motherland’s enduring glory and a reminder of hard-won independence.