National Symbols of India
A national symbol is an entity which is a symbolic representation of the rich cultural heritage and national identity of a particular country. These symbols often fills the deep sense of pride among the Indian citizens. They intend to unite the nation in a single string. India have several national symbols which were declared at different times. The article will confer the information about the National symbols of India such as National Anthem, National Flag, National Song, National Animal, National Bird, National Emblem, etc.
National Flag
The Constituent Assembly adopted the format of Tricolor (National Flag) on 22 July 1947. The flag was designed by the Pingali Venkayya. The ratio of its breadth and length is 3:2. The flag has three stripes of equal proportion, which are saffron white and green.
There is a blue circle in the middle of the white band, in which 24 spokes are there. It is taken from the wheel on the pillar of Ashoka at Sarnath.
The saffron color of the national flag symbolizes awakening, valor and sacrifice, white color symbolizes truth and purity and green color of flag symbolizes life prosperity.
According to the Indian Flag Code 2002, all Indian common citizens, private institutions and educational institutions etc. have the right to display the national flag.
In an important judgment on 23 January 2004, the Supreme Court declared that it is a fundamental right of citizens to hoist the national flag under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
National Emblem
On 26 January 1950, the Government of India accepted the replica of the top of the Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath as the state emblem. The four lions depicted on the emblem which are embedded on a circular abacus are a symbol of Power, Courage and Confidence. Out of four lions, 3 lions are visible and one remains hidden at the backside. The abacus is surrounded by the four smaller animals and they are believed to be the Guardians of the four directions, i.e. The Lion in the North direction, The Horse in the West direction, The Bull in the South direction and The Elephant in the East. direction. The abacus rests on a full bloomed lotus. At the bottom of the emblem is inscribed 'Satyameva Jayate' in Devanagari script, which is taken from the Mundakopanishad. The motto 'Satyameva Jayate' means 'Truth Alone Triumphs'.
National Anthem
On 24 January 1950, the Constituent Assembly adopted the 'Jana-Gana-Mana' composed by Rabindranath Tagore as the national anthem of India. The time fixed for the formal rendition of the national anthem is approximately 52 seconds. It was first sung within the Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress on 27 December 1911.
The song 'Amar Sonar Bangla' by Rabindranath Tagore is the national anthem of Bangladesh.
National Song
The 'Vande Mataram' composed by the Bankim Chandra Chatterjee was adopted as the national song of India by the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950. It is taken from Chatterjee's famous novel 'Anandamath'. It is originally in Sanskrit. The national song was first sung at the Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress on 1896. The reason behind the declaration of Vande Mataram as the national song was that it played a historic role in the Indian Independence Movement and served as the source of inspiration to the people during their struggle of freedom. It has been granted an equal honour and status with the Jana Gana Mana.
Flag Song
The flag song of India is 'Vijaya Viswa Tiranga Pyara' which is composed by Shyam Lal Gupta. It was first sung in the Kanpur Congress session of 1925 and it was declared as the national song in the Haripura session of 1938.
National Calendar
The calendar of the Government of India is based on the Saka era and was adopted as national calendar by India on 22 March 1957 for various government purposes. Chaitra is the first month of the national calendar of India. The first day of Chaitra falls on 22 March in a normal year but in case of leap year (366 days) it falls on 21 March.
National Animal
The stunning animal, Tiger (Panthera tigris) is the National Animal of India. The physical appearance of tiger is attractive with thick yellow coat of fur with dark stripes. The tiger is known for its complaisance, agility and immense power which obviously has earned it a pride and status as the national animal of India. The Royal Bengal Tiger was declared as the national animal of India on April 1973 with the inception of Project Tiger. Before 1973, lion was considered as the national animal of India. Basically, Project Tiger was an ambitious project to check and monitor the continuously dwindling populations of tiger in India alongwith protecting the tigers within the boundaries of India. Till now, nearly 27 tiger reserves are established in India under this project.
National Bird
The Indian Peacock (Pavo cristatus) is the national bird of India which is commonly known as Indian peafowl. A peacock is a beautiful and colourful bird possessing a fan-shaped crest of feathers and a long slender neck. The male species is more attractive and colourful than the female with a glossy blue breast and neck and a magnificent brown-green tail. The tail had 200 elongated feathers around it. The female is brownish, somewhat smaller than the male with no tail. It was declared as a national bird in 1963 because of its abundance in almost all the parts of the country such that even common people was familiar with the bird. Secondly, none of the country had peackock as its national bird. A peacock is considered a symbol of beauty and grace.
National Flower
Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) has been adopted as the national flower of India. The flower displays the traditional values and cultural pride of India. It occupies a unique position in the Indian mythology and is a flower of Goddess Laxmi. It symbolizes wealth, fertility, honour, prosperity, wisdom, achievement, long life, good fate, beauty of heart and mind. It is also used throughout the country for religious rituals and practices. Lotus is thus an epitome of purity and sanctity in our nation. The flower of Lotus grows and blooms in filthy and muddy water with its long stalk holding the flower at the top which is quite above the surface of water. Though it grows in impure and muddy water yet it remains untouched by impurity.
National Tree
Banayan tree is considered the national tree of India. The botanical name of Banayan is Ficus bandhalensis. Banyan is an epitome of solidarity and perseverance. Just as people of different religions and castes of India live together, in the same way small or big animals live on the branches of the banyan tree. It depicts the unity among the people of different community and thus is considered as the national tree of India. The tree is huge in physical appearance consisting of an innumerable prop roots which arises gradually over the years. These prop roots appears as the stem to common people which is not so. The lifespan of the banyan tree is longest with an average age of 200-300 years. The tree is considered pious and has special religious significance in Hinduism. It also possesses lots of unique medicinal properties.
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