National Flag
The National Flag of India is a horizontal tricolour of deep saffron (kesaria) at the top, white in the middle, and dark green at the bottom, in equal proportion. The flag was designed by Pingali Venkayya, who was inspired by the Swaraj flag of the Indian National Congress, and was officially adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on July 22nd, 1947.
The flag features the Ashoka Chakra, a blue wheel in the center of the white band, which represents the teachings of Buddhism and the idea of dharma or righteousness. The Flag Code of India, 2002 governs the display of the national flag and supersedes the Flag Code-India as it existed. As per the provisions of the Flag Code of India, there are no restrictions on display by members of the general public, private organizations, educational institutions, etc., except as provided in the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
State Emblem
The State emblem of India is an adaptation of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka, a pillar erected by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka to mark the spot where he gave up violence and embraced Buddhism. The original capital features four lions standing back-to-back and mounted on an abacus with a frieze carrying sculptures of an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull, and a lion separated by intervening wheels over a bell-shaped lotus. In the Indian state emblem, only three lions are visible, with the fourth hidden from view, and the wheel appears in relief in the center of the abacus.
The words “Satyameva Jayate,” meaning “Truth Alone Triumphs,” are inscribed below the abacus in Devanagari script. The emblem was adopted by the Government of India on January 26th, 1950.
National Anthem
The National Anthem of India, Jana-gana-mana, was composed originally in Bengali by Rabindranath Tagore and adopted in its Hindi version by the Constituent Assembly as the National Anthem of India on January 24th, 1950. The song was first sung on December 27th, 1911, at the Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress. The complete song consists of five stanzas, with the first stanza being the full version of the national anthem. The playing time of the full version of the national anthem is approximately 52 seconds.
National Song
The National Song of India, Vande Mataram, was composed in Sanskrit by Bankimchandra Chatterji and was a source of inspiration to the people in their struggle for freedom. It was first sung at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress and has equal status with Jana-gana-mana as the national song.
National Calendar
The National Calendar of India is based on the Saka Era, with Chaitra as its first month and a normal year of 365 days. It was adopted on March 22nd, 1957, along with the Gregorian calendar for official purposes, such as the Gazette of India, news broadcasts by All India Radio, calendars issued by the Government of India, and government communications addressed to the members of the public. Dates of the national calendar have a permanent correspondence with dates of the Gregorian calendar, with 1 Chaitra normally falling on March 22nd and on March 21st in a leap year.
National Animal
The National Animal of India is the tiger, Panthera tigris, a magnificent predator that is native to the country.
National Bird
The National Bird of India is the Indian peacock, Pavo cristatus, a colorful and magnificent bird that is native to the country.
National Flower
The National Flower of India is the lotus, Nelumbo Nucifera Gaertn
