It is essential to follow certain important rules while hoisting and lowering the national flag under the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign. This maintains the dignity of the flag.
Independence Day 2025: Like every year, India is going to celebrate its Independence Day on August 15, 2025. This occasion is not only a matter of national pride but also an opportunity to spread the spirit of patriotism to the masses. The Government of India's "Har Ghar Tiranga" campaign has allowed ordinary citizens to hoist the national flag in their homes, thereby demonstrating the unity and integrity of the country.
The aim of this campaign is to further strengthen the feeling of respect and pride for the tricolor. But there are also specific rules on how to keep the tricolor after hoisting it and then lowering it, which every citizen is duty-bound to follow. The Government of India and the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) have clearly communicated these rules to the public.
What is Har Ghar Tiranga?
"Har Ghar Tiranga" is a government initiative that encourages people to hoist the national flag at their homes, shops, and institutions. This campaign was started in 2022 and is now celebrated on a large scale on Independence Day and Republic Day.
This year, in 2025, citizens across the country will display their patriotism by hoisting the tricolor. But along with this honor, it is also necessary that the national flag is used with full dignity and in accordance with the rules.
Why are the rules for hoisting and lowering the national flag necessary?
The national flag is a symbol of the dignity and identity of any country. The three-colored stripes and the Ashoka Chakra of India's tricolor are symbols of unity, sacrifice, peace, and progress. In such a situation, it becomes our responsibility to use it correctly.
If negligence is exercised in hoisting and lowering the flag, or if it is misused, it falls under the category of insult. To prevent this, the Government of India has issued special guidelines.
How to lower the national flag after hoisting it?
According to the guidelines shared by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) on the social media platform 'X' (formerly Twitter), the process of safely storing the tricolor after hoisting it respectfully is as follows:
1. Place the tricolor horizontally: Place the flag horizontally on a flat surface so that there is no crease or tilt.
2. Fold the edges inward: Fold the saffron and green stripes of the flag under the white stripe in the middle in such a way that only the Ashoka Chakra is visible.
3. Fold the white stripe so that only the chakra is visible: Fold the folded flag in such a way that only the Ashoka Chakra remains on top and the other parts of the flag are contained inside.
4. Hold in your hands and keep in a safe place: Now take this folded tricolor in your hands and keep it in a clean and safe place. Take care not to keep it anywhere where it may fall or be dishonored.
Why is it necessary to fold and keep the tricolor?
Keeping the tricolor folded and safe maintains its dignity and makes it suitable for reuse. With this, you can use the same tricolor again on January 26 or the next August 15. This is not only economically beneficial but also an environmentally responsible step.
Can the tricolor be washed or re-ironed?
According to the guidelines of the Government of India, if a flag made of cloth has become dirty, it can be cleaned, but with full care and respect. Also, the tricolor should never be dropped on the ground nor should it be kept in an impure place.
Independence Day 2025: Which Independence Day will this be?
India will celebrate its 79th Independence Day on August 15, 2025, while it will be the 78th anniversary. On this day, the national flag will be hoisted across the country by government, non-government institutions, and ordinary citizens. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation from the Red Fort on this occasion and hoist the flag.
Some important facts related to the national flag
- The size of the tricolor should be in the ratio of 3:2, i.e., the ratio of length to width.
- Colors of the tricolor – Saffron (sacrifice), white (peace), and green (prosperity).
- The Ashoka Chakra in the middle is blue in color, which has 24 spokes.
Essential rules under the Flag Code of India
In India, the "Flag Code of India" was issued in 2002 regarding the use of the tricolor. According to this:
- The tricolor should never be hoisted upside down.
- The flag should not be placed on the ground or in water.
- The flag should never be used to cover any part of the body.
- The tricolor is allowed to be hoisted at night only when it is kept in adequate light.
