Monday, August 16, 2004
Indian National Facts
Indian National Facts
A flag symbolising the Indian people's aspiration to nationhood was hoisted in Paris in the early l9OOs by Madame Bhikaiji Cama and her group of exiled revolutionaries. In 1921, during the session of the All-India Congress Committee at Bezwada - now Vijayawada - a student presented Mahatma Gandhi with a flag of red and green, the colours representing the two major Indian communities, the Hindus and the Muslims. Gandhi suggested the addition of a white stripe to symbolise the rest of India's communities, and a charkha (spinning wheel) to symbolize the masses of India.
The tricolour, officially adopted as the national emblem by the Congress at its 1931 Karachi session presided over by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, held no communal undertones. On July 22, 1947 three weeks before Indian Independence, the Constituent Assembly adopted the tricolour as India's National Flag, but replaced the charkha with the Asoka Chakra. Today, 57 years after Independence, the flag continues to stir profound feelings of nationalism.
Here's a look at the other national symbols of India.
NATIONAL GAME- Hockey
The Golden Era of hockey in India was the period from 1928 - 1956 when India won 6 consecutive gold medals in the Olympics. During the Golden Era, India played 24 Olympic matches, won all 24, scored 178 goals (at an average of 7.43 goals per match) and conceded only 7 goals. The two other gold medals for India came in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
NATIONAL FRUIT- Mango
Mangoes, have been cultivated in India from time immemorial. The poet Kalidasa sang its praises. Alexander savoured its taste, as did the Chinese pilgrim Hieun Tsang. Akbar planted 100,000 mango trees in Darbhanga, known as Lakhi Bagh.
NATIONAL TREE- Banyan
Indian national tree is the fig tree, Ficus bengalensis, whose branches root themselves like new trees over a large area.The roots give rise to more trunks and branches. Because of this characteristic and its longevity, this tree is considered immortal and is an integral part of the myths and legends of India.
NATIONAL FLOWER- Lotus
Lotus, prized for its serene beauty, is delightful to behold as its blossoms opens on the surface of a pond.In India the sacred lotus is legendary and much folklore and religious mythology is woven around it.
NATIONAL ANIMAL-Tiger
NATIONAL BIRD- Peacock
The Peacock represents the whole country. Poaching of these birds is strictly prohibited throughout India.
NATIONAL PLEDGE
India is my country. All Indians are my brothers and sisters...
NATIONAL SONG - Vande Mataram
Composed by Bankim Chandra, the National Song of India, appears in the Bengali novel Anand Math. The English translation of this "Vande Mataram" rendered by Shree Aurobindo, is considered to be the official and best. The first stanza of this song has been given the status of our national song.
NATIONAL ANTHEM - Jana Gana Mana
NATIONAL EMBLEM - The Lion Capital
The National Emblem of India is a replica of the Lion of Sarnath, near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. The Lion Capital was erected in the 3rd Century BC by Emperor Ashoka to mark the spot where Buddha first proclaimed his gospel of peace and emancipation to the four quarters of the Universe. The National Emblem is thus symbolic of India's commitment to world peace and goodwill. The four lions (one hidden from view) - symbolising power, courage and confidence, rest on a circular abacus.The abacus is girded by four smaller animals - guardians of the four directions: the lion in the north, the elephant in the east, the horse in south and the bull in the west. The abacus rests on a lotus in full bloom, exemplifying the fountainhead of life and creative inspiration. The motto 'Satyameva Jayate' inscribed below the emblem in Devanagari script means "Truth Alone Triumphs".
NATIONAL FLAG It is a horizontal tricolourflag. The ratio of the width to the length of the Flag shall ordinarily be 2:3. The cloth for the manufacture of the flag is generally handspun and handwoven khadhi, cotton, woolen or silk.The flag is tricolour panel made up of three rectangular panels or sub - panels of equal widths. The colours of the top panels is saffron - kesari, and that of the bottom panel is green, the middle panel is white bearing at its centre the design of Ashoka Chakra in navy blue colour.
A flag symbolising the Indian people's aspiration to nationhood was hoisted in Paris in the early l9OOs by Madame Bhikaiji Cama and her group of exiled revolutionaries. In 1921, during the session of the All-India Congress Committee at Bezwada - now Vijayawada - a student presented Mahatma Gandhi with a flag of red and green, the colours representing the two major Indian communities, the Hindus and the Muslims. Gandhi suggested the addition of a white stripe to symbolise the rest of India's communities, and a charkha (spinning wheel) to symbolize the masses of India.
The tricolour, officially adopted as the national emblem by the Congress at its 1931 Karachi session presided over by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, held no communal undertones. On July 22, 1947 three weeks before Indian Independence, the Constituent Assembly adopted the tricolour as India's National Flag, but replaced the charkha with the Asoka Chakra. Today, 57 years after Independence, the flag continues to stir profound feelings of nationalism.
Here's a look at the other national symbols of India.
NATIONAL GAME- Hockey
The Golden Era of hockey in India was the period from 1928 - 1956 when India won 6 consecutive gold medals in the Olympics. During the Golden Era, India played 24 Olympic matches, won all 24, scored 178 goals (at an average of 7.43 goals per match) and conceded only 7 goals. The two other gold medals for India came in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
NATIONAL FRUIT- Mango
Mangoes, have been cultivated in India from time immemorial. The poet Kalidasa sang its praises. Alexander savoured its taste, as did the Chinese pilgrim Hieun Tsang. Akbar planted 100,000 mango trees in Darbhanga, known as Lakhi Bagh.
NATIONAL TREE- Banyan
Indian national tree is the fig tree, Ficus bengalensis, whose branches root themselves like new trees over a large area.The roots give rise to more trunks and branches. Because of this characteristic and its longevity, this tree is considered immortal and is an integral part of the myths and legends of India.
NATIONAL FLOWER- Lotus
Lotus, prized for its serene beauty, is delightful to behold as its blossoms opens on the surface of a pond.In India the sacred lotus is legendary and much folklore and religious mythology is woven around it.
NATIONAL ANIMAL-Tiger
NATIONAL BIRD- Peacock
The Peacock represents the whole country. Poaching of these birds is strictly prohibited throughout India.
NATIONAL PLEDGE
India is my country. All Indians are my brothers and sisters...
NATIONAL SONG - Vande Mataram
Composed by Bankim Chandra, the National Song of India, appears in the Bengali novel Anand Math. The English translation of this "Vande Mataram" rendered by Shree Aurobindo, is considered to be the official and best. The first stanza of this song has been given the status of our national song.
NATIONAL ANTHEM - Jana Gana Mana
NATIONAL EMBLEM - The Lion Capital
The National Emblem of India is a replica of the Lion of Sarnath, near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. The Lion Capital was erected in the 3rd Century BC by Emperor Ashoka to mark the spot where Buddha first proclaimed his gospel of peace and emancipation to the four quarters of the Universe. The National Emblem is thus symbolic of India's commitment to world peace and goodwill. The four lions (one hidden from view) - symbolising power, courage and confidence, rest on a circular abacus.The abacus is girded by four smaller animals - guardians of the four directions: the lion in the north, the elephant in the east, the horse in south and the bull in the west. The abacus rests on a lotus in full bloom, exemplifying the fountainhead of life and creative inspiration. The motto 'Satyameva Jayate' inscribed below the emblem in Devanagari script means "Truth Alone Triumphs".
NATIONAL FLAG It is a horizontal tricolourflag. The ratio of the width to the length of the Flag shall ordinarily be 2:3. The cloth for the manufacture of the flag is generally handspun and handwoven khadhi, cotton, woolen or silk.The flag is tricolour panel made up of three rectangular panels or sub - panels of equal widths. The colours of the top panels is saffron - kesari, and that of the bottom panel is green, the middle panel is white bearing at its centre the design of Ashoka Chakra in navy blue colour.
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