As Independence Day approaches across India, preparations are in full swing everywhere. But have you ever wondered how our beloved Khadi Tricolour comes to life? Today, we take you on a fascinating journey to Guwahati, Assam, where skilled artisans at the Assam Khadi & Village Industries Board create our national flag with extraordinary dedication and precision.
The process of making the Khadi Tricolour is not just manufacturing – it’s a sacred art form that combines traditional craftsmanship with patriotic devotion. In Guwahati, this is the only place in the entire Assam where authentic Khadi flags are produced, and these flags are then distributed throughout the state. What makes this process truly special is the meticulous attention to every single detail, from the exact measurements to the perfect colour combinations.
Each flag that emerges from this facility carries with it the soul of Indian craftsmanship and the spirit of our freedom struggle. The artisans here don’t just make flags; they create symbols of our nation’s pride and unity, ensuring that every stitch reflects the values our forefathers fought for.
The Art of Creating the Sacred Dharma Chakra
The magic begins with something quite extraordinary – the deep blue Dharma Chakra that sits proudly at the centre of our flag’s white stripe. This isn’t just any ordinary printing process; it’s a carefully guarded technique that ensures the colours remain vibrant and steadfast through every season and weather condition.
The special blue colour preparation involves a unique mixture that includes Toman Blue and kerosene, combined with a special gum binder. The artisans mix these ingredients with surgical precision to create a colour that never fades, whether the flag flies under scorching sun or gets drenched in monsoon rains. This remarkable colour formulation is so perfect that it doesn’t bleed into the fabric or lose its intensity over time.
The printing process itself is closely supervised by officials who ensure that every Dharma Chakra is printed with absolute perfection. What’s truly amazing is that this 24-spoked wheel, taken from Emperor Ashoka’s Sarnath temple from the 3rd century BCE, represents India’s continuous progress and development. The diameter of this chakra is carefully measured to match exactly with the width of the white stripe, maintaining the flag’s sacred proportions that represent our nation’s unity, peace, prosperity, and growth.
Precision Tailoring: Where Every Stitch Matters
Moving beyond the Dharma Chakra printing, we enter the fascinating world of flag tailoring, where skilled craftspeople work with incredible precision to create the perfect Tricolour. This isn’t ordinary sewing—it’s an art form where every measurement, cut, and stitch must be absolutely perfect.
The tailoring section buzzes with activity as workers carefully cut the saffron, white, and green stripes according to strict specifications. The flags come in various sizes – 6×4, 3×2, 4.5×3, and 1.5×1 – but regardless of size, the length-to-width ratio must always be 3:2. This isn’t just a guideline; it’s a sacred rule that cannot be compromised. Ranjan Sharma, who has been crafting flags here and can produce six flags in about four and a half hours. His expertise shows in every fold and seam. Then there’s women artisans Savita Deka, who skillfully creates 12-15 flags daily, handling both small and large sizes with equal finesse.
The precision required is extraordinary – workers like Thun Barman, with 30-35 years of experience, know that even a millimetre’s deviation can affect the flag’s authenticity. These artisans work during the Republic Day and Independence Day seasons. During other times, they create various Khadi products like kurtas, pyjamas, and caps, keeping the traditional craft alive throughout the year.
The Business of Patriotism: Sales and Distribution
The commercial aspect of flag-making reveals interesting insights about our nation’s patriotic purchasing patterns. According to Prakash ji from the Marketing Division, this year’s target is impressive – around 20-21 lakh rupees worth of flags, with over 6,000 flags already produced.
What’s fascinating is the seasonal variation in sales. Independence Day on August 15th generates significantly higher sales, often crossing 25 lakh rupees, while Republic Day sales are comparatively lower, around 16-17 lakh rupees. This difference reflects how Independence Day resonates more strongly with the general public’s patriotic fervour. The distribution network spans across Assam, from Silchar to Karimganj, with outlets in Guwahati, North Lakhimpur, Sivasagar, and Jorhat. The ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, launched two years ago, has boosted demand significantly, though it has also led to open market competition.
However, Prakash ji emphasises that regardless of where flags are sold, they should maintain proper size ratios and, most importantly, be made of Khadi fabric as mandated by our Constitution. The Khadi Board’s commitment to authentic flag-making ensures that every Tricolour maintains the dignity and respect our national symbol deserves, supporting both traditional craftsmanship and constitutional requirements.
Master Craftspeople: The Soul Behind Every Flag
Behind every perfectly crafted Tricolour stands a master craftsperson whose skilled hands have been shaping our national symbol for decades. These aren’t just workers; they’re custodians of a sacred tradition that connects our present with our glorious past.
Take Tulsidas, a master tailor with over 30-35 years of experience at the Khadi Board. He learned his craft at home before joining this prestigious institution, and now he’s not just cutting Tricolour fabrics but also creating various Khadi products like kurtas, pyjamas, and caps. His expertise extends beyond flag-making – he’s a complete Khadi craftsman who understands the soul of traditional Indian textiles. Similarly, many women artisans work here with equal dedication and skill. These experienced hands know exactly how each stripe should be cut, how each seam should be sewn, and how the final product should look.
They work with focused concentration, understanding that they’re not just making a commercial product but crafting a symbol of national pride. During peak seasons like Independence Day and Republic Day, they work extended hours, sometimes earning 10,000-12,000 rupees monthly. Their dedication ensures that every flag that leaves this facility meets the highest standards of quality and authenticity, carrying forward the legacy of Indian craftsmanship and patriotic devotion.
Guwahati’s Unique Heritage in Flag-Making
Guwahati holds a special place in India’s flag-making landscape. It is the sole producer of authentic Khadi Tricolours in the entire state of Assam. This unique distinction makes the city not just a commercial hub but a guardian of our national symbol’s authenticity and traditional craftsmanship.
The Assam Khadi & Village Industries Board’s facility in Guwahati operates as more than just a manufacturing unit – it’s a cultural institution that preserves the traditional methods of Khadi production while meeting modern demands. The choice of Guwahati as the exclusive flag-making centre in Assam isn’t arbitrary; it reflects the city’s strategic importance and its deep connection with India’s freedom movement and traditional industries. From this single facility, authentic Tricolours reach every corner of Assam, ensuring that the entire state receives flags that meet constitutional standards and traditional quality parameters.
The city’s artisans have developed specialised skills over generations, creating a unique ecosystem where knowledge passes from experienced craftspeople to newcomers. This concentration of expertise in Guwahati has created a centre of excellence that maintains the highest standards of flag production. The facility’s role extends beyond commercial production – it serves as a training ground for traditional Khadi crafts, ensuring that these ancient skills survive and thrive in the modern era while contributing to local employment and economic development.
Preparing for National Celebrations
As Independence Day approaches, the entire atmosphere at the Assam Khadi & Village Industries Board transforms into a beehive of patriotic activity. The months leading up to August 15th see unprecedented energy and dedication as artisans work tirelessly to meet the nation’s demand for authentic Tricolours.
The preparation process involves careful planning and resource management. Orders pour in from government institutions, schools, colleges, and private organisations across Assam, each requiring flags of specific sizes and quantities. The facility ramps up production, with artisans working extended hours to ensure timely delivery. Quality control becomes even more stringent during this period, as officials understand that these flags will represent our nation in important ceremonies and celebrations.
Storage and packaging require special attention to ensure flags remain in perfect condition during transportation. The distribution network is active across Assam, coordinating with various outlets to ensure adequate supply reaches every district. This period also sees increased employment opportunities as additional temporary workers join the regular staff. The entire process reflects India’s democratic spirit – from the careful crafting in Guwahati to the proud hoisting across the state, each flag carries the message of unity, integrity, and national pride.
Also Read: Stitching the Nation’s Pride: The Women Behind India’s Tricolour
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