National Symbols of India for Kids
National Symbols of India for Kids
NATIONAL EMBLEM
State emblem of India is an adaptation from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka. It was adopted by the Government of India on January 26, 1950. In the adapted form, only three lions are visible, the fourth being hidden from the view. The wheel (Dharma Chakra) appears in relief in the centre of the abacus with a bull on the right and a horse on the left.
The bell-shaped lotus has been omitted. The words ‘‘Satyameva Jayate’’ meaning ‘‘Truth alone triumphs’’ are inscribed below the Emblem in Devanagari script.
NATIONAL FLAG
The National Flag of India is a horizontal tricolour of deep saffron (Kesari), white and dark green in equal proportion. In the centre of the white band there is a wheel in navy blue colour. It has 24 spokes. The ratio of the length and the breadth of the flag is 3 : 2. Its design was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on July 22, 1947.
NATIONAL ANTHEM
Rabindranath Tagore’s song ‘Jana-gana-mana’ was adopted by the Constituent Assembly as the National Anthem of India on January 24, 1950.
Jana-gan-mana-adhinayaka jaya he, Bharata-bhagya-vidhata Punjab-Sindh-Gujarat-Maratha-Dravida-Utkala-Banga Vindhya-Himachala-Yamuna-Ganga Uchhala-jaladhi-taranga. Tava subha name jage, Tava subha asisa mange,
Gahe tava jaya gatha,
Jana-gana-mangala-dayak, jaya he Bharata bhagya vidhata, Jaya he, jaya he, jaya he, Jaya jaya jaya, jaya he.
NATIONAL SONG
Bankim Chandra Chatterji’s ‘Vande Mataram’ which was a source of inspiration to the people in their struggle for freedom, has been adopted as National Song. It has an equal status with the National Anthem.
Vande Mataram
Sujalam, suphalam, malayaja-shitalam,
Shasya shyamalam, Mataram
Shubhrajyotsna,pulkita yaminim,
Phulla kusumita drumadalashobhinim,
Subhasinim sumadhura—bhashinim,
Sukhadam, Varadam, Mataram.
NATIONAL CALENDAR
It is based on the Saka era with Chaitra as its first month and a normal year of 365 days. It was adopted from March 22, 1957. Dates of the national calendar have a permanent correspondence with dates of Gregorian calendar as Chaitra I falls on March 22 in a normal year and March 21 in a leap year. In official communications, both Saka and Gregorian calendar dates are written. Months of the national calendar are Chaitra, Vaishakha, Jaishtha, Ashada, Shravan, Bhadra, Ashvina, Kartika, Margashirsha, Pausha, Magha and Phalguna.
NATIONAL ANIMAL
The magnificent tiger — Panthera tigris (Linnaeus) is the national animal of India. Tiger is found in several parts of the country and is known for its grace, strength, agility and enormous power. ‘Project Tiger’ was launched in 1973 to check their dwindling population in India.
NATIONAL BIRD
The Indian Peacock — Pavo Christatus (Linnaeus) is the national bird of India. It is a colourful, swan-sized bird with a fan-shaped crest of feathers on its head and a long-slander neck. The male species is more colourful with blue breast and a spectacular bronze-green train of around 200 elongated feathers.
National Flower—Lotus
National Tree—Banyan
National Fruit—Mango
National Currency—Rupee ‘`’ (One Rupee = 100 Paise)
National Aquatic Animal—Dolphin
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