The official raising of the Indian national flag at the United Nations, 1947
Lake Success, New York
Courtesy of the Library of Congress, P&P-NYWTS-Biog-Pillai, P&P, DR of India (II)
Dr. Padmanabha Pillai, recently appointed Representative of India to the United Nations, raised the country’s new national flag to join fifty-four other member states. At the ceremony, Dr. Pillai explained to the crowd the significance of the tri-color bands: saffron representing courage and sacrifice; white symbolizing peace and truth; and green signifying faith and chivalry.