The Tricolour and the Soul of a Nation: Reflections on National Flag Day
Heramba Nath
In the mosaic of national symbols that define a country’s soul, the flag holds a space of unmatched reverence. It is not just an emblem of statehood or protocol—it is the living, breathing heartbeat of a nation. It flies not with the wind, but with the spirit of the people. In India, the Tricolour—affectionately known as the Tiranga—is one such sacred banner, representing centuries of dreams, sacrifices, revolutions, and aspirations.
Each year, we celebrate our freedom with pomp on Independence Day, and our republican spirit on Republic Day. These occasions are marked with speeches, cultural performances, parades, and political ceremony. But in this national narrative, National Flag Day, observed on 22nd July, remains a relatively quieter, often overlooked observance. Yet, this day deserves to be embraced more thoughtfully, for it was on this date in 1947 that the Indian Constituent Assembly adopted the national flag—less than a month before India attained independence.
To understand the significance of National Flag Day is to look beyond ceremonial rituals and delve into the moral, emotional, and civic fabric of Indian democracy. It is a moment not only to unfurl the flag, but to unfold our national conscience. It is a day to reflect not on what we have achieved as a country, but on how we carry forward the values for which the flag stands. It is about recognising that patriotism is not performance—it is participation.
When the Constituent Assembly adopted the Tricolour on 22nd July 1947, it was not a matter of formality—it was a profound philosophical and symbolic act. The choice of colours, the inclusion of the Ashoka Chakra, and the flag’s overall design were deeply rooted in India’s spiritual legacy, political struggles, and forward-looking vision. It was an emblem not just of sovereignty, but of values—truth, courage, peace, justice, and unity.
The flag we know today evolved through many iterations, each reflecting a phase in India’s awakening. From the first flag hoisted in 1906 at Parsee Bagan Square in Kolkata, to the version unfurled by the Indian National Army under Subhas Chandra Bose, the journey of the flag is as stirring as the journey of the nation itself. It absorbed within its folds the tears of martyrs, the slogans of revolutionaries, the hopes of reformers, and the dreams of ordinary Indians. It is more than three bands of colour—it is the stitched legacy of countless unnamed heroes.
Saffron, the colour that flies at the top of the flag, speaks of sacrifice, courage, and the strength to overcome. It reminds us of Bhagat Singh walking to the gallows with a smile, of Rani Lakshmibai dying with a sword in hand, and of millions who lit the fire of resistance in colonial darkness. It is a hue of selflessness—calling every citizen to rise above narrow interests for the greater good.
White, the peaceful band in the middle, represents truth, honesty, and ethical governance. It reflects Mahatma Gandhi’s principle of Satya—truth that guides action—and Ahimsa—non-violence that guides thought. In a time when truth is often sacrificed at the altar of political expediency, the white band urges us to stay grounded in moral clarity.
Green, the vibrant base, connects us to the land—its fertility, vitality, and ecological richness. It also symbolises hope and prosperity for all. In a country of agrarian roots, green honours our relationship with nature, and silently urges us to preserve the forests, rivers, and soil that have nourished generations.
At the very heart of the Tricolour lies the Ashoka Chakra—a navy-blue wheel with twenty-four spokes, taken from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath. It represents Dharma, or righteous duty. It is the wheel of progress, of continuous motion, of ethical governance. It is a secular and universal symbol that transcends religion, caste, or creed. It reminds us that standing still is not an option in a dynamic republic; we must constantly move forward, guided by justice, compassion, and truth.
But the deeper essence of the national flag cannot be reduced to its colours or iconography. Its true meaning lies in the way we, as citizens, relate to it. Do we embody the ideals it represents? Or do we merely salute it as a symbol while ignoring the values it stands for? National Flag Day is a rare opportunity to confront these questions—not with defensiveness, but with humility.
Unlike other national days, Flag Day is not meant for grand celebrations. It is a day of introspection. It calls for a quieter, more reflective engagement with the idea of India. It asks us not to shout slogans but to whisper truths to ourselves. Are we just citizens by birth, or are we nation-builders by choice? Do we serve the motherland only in words, or do we actively contribute through action?
Educational institutions can play a pivotal role in shaping this reflective culture. Schools and colleges must go beyond textbook definitions and ceremonial flag hoisting. Flag Day can be a platform for dialogue and discovery—for understanding the sacrifices behind the flag, the stories behind its creation, and the duties that come with saluting it. Workshops, heritage exhibitions, creative writing contests, and storytelling sessions with veterans or freedom fighters’ descendants can breathe life into history.
Likewise, media houses, civil society organisations, and local governments can use the occasion to raise awareness about the Flag Code of India, which stipulates proper usage and respectful treatment of the national flag. The proliferation of flags during campaigns like Har Ghar Tiranga is a welcome sign of mass engagement—but it must be accompanied by awareness and etiquette. The flag should never be allowed to touch the ground, be flown below any other flag, or be printed on disposable items. Its dignity must be upheld not just in Parliament or courts, but in every home, school, and office.
In this context, the Ashoka Chakra also deserves deeper understanding. It is not a decorative symbol—it is a call to action. Its twenty-four spokes represent the twenty-four virtues of life such as love, courage, patience, selflessness, and truth. It teaches us that the republic must always be in motion—evolving, correcting, and growing. Stagnation is death in democracy; progress, powered by values, is its lifeblood.
Moreover, the flag’s emotional strength lies in its role during crises. When soldiers return home wrapped in the tricolour, when the flag is raised at global sporting arenas, or when it is hoisted in defiance during mass movements, it becomes a collective cry of hope, resilience, and identity. It binds diverse communities, languages, and religions into a single patriotic rhythm. It silences differences, even if momentarily, and awakens a higher sense of belonging.
One cannot speak of the national flag without remembering those who marched beneath its early avatars. From the Ghadar Party to the Indian National Congress, from Netaji’s INA to the Quit India movement—the flag has been a companion to every act of resistance. Each thread in the flag today is woven from those moments of defiance, each colour dyed with sacrifice. National Flag Day, thus, is not just a day of national pride—it is a memorial of invisible martyrs, a canvas of untold courage.
In times of rising political polarisation, the flag’s universality offers a counter-narrative. It belongs to all Indians—Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Jain, Buddhist, atheist. It shelters every dialect, every food habit, every festival. It judges no one. It asks for no uniformity. Instead, it calls for unity—a unity based on mutual respect and shared destiny. It asks us to be Indians first, not in competition with our cultural or regional identities, but in complement to them.
To ignore National Flag Day is to ignore an essential question: What does it mean to be Indian today? Is it merely a legal status, or is it an ethical identity? Is our loyalty to the flag based on moments of national joy and grief, or is it an everyday commitment—visible in how we vote, how we speak, how we treat others, how we engage with our duties?
Let National Flag Day be a day of civic renewal. Let it be a day when we donate books to a village library, plant trees in a barren patch, clean a neglected public space, or simply listen to someone from a different background. Let it be a day when we promise ourselves to speak the truth, to be fair, to stand up for the voiceless, to protect the environment. Let every act of goodness become a silent salute to the Tricolour.
In a world where patriotism is often claimed as a weapon or brandished as a badge, India’s national flag teaches a gentler truth: true patriotism is lived quietly, consistently, humbly. It is in small daily choices, not just grand pronouncements. It is in building, not breaking; in uniting, not dividing; in questioning, not blindly following. As Tagore once wrote, “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high…”—it is there that the flag truly flies.
And so, as we observe National Flag Day, let us raise not only the flag but also our standards—of civic conduct, of moral integrity, of democratic engagement. Let the Tricolour be more than a fabric—it should be a force. Let it not be confined to poles and pedestals—it should flutter in our hearts.
As the monsoon wind lifts the saffron, white, and green skyward, let it carry with it our silent pledges—to love the country not just with emotion, but with action. For in that flutter lies not only the pride of a sovereign nation, but the promise of a better tomorrow—built by citizens who do not merely admire the flag, but who live by what it stands for.