National Flag
The National Flag of India is a horizontal tricolor of deep saffron (Kesari), white
and dark green in equal proportion. In the center of the white band there is a wheel
in navy blue to represent the Chakra which indeed symbolizes the Dharma Chakra.
Use of Flag
A Pamphlet entitled Flag Code-India has been issued by the Government of India to
ensure the proper use and display of the Flag.
National Flower
Lotus - It is a sacred flower and occupies a unique position in the art and mythology
of ancient India and has been an auspicious symbol of Indian culture since time
immemorial.
National Emblem
In the National Emblem, adopted by the Government of India from the Sarnath Lion
Capital of Ashoka on January/26/1950, only three lions are visible, the fourth being
hidden from view. The wheel appears in relief in the center of the abacus with a
bull omitted. The words "Satyameva Jayate" meaning – "Truth alone triumphs", are
inscribed below the Emblem in Devnagri script.
National Anthem
Rabindranath Tagore’s song 'Jana Gana Mana' was adopted as the National Anthem of
India on January/24/1950.
Lyric & Meaning
Jana-gana-mana-adhinayaka, jaya he
Bharata-bhagya-vidhata.
Punjab-Sindh-Gujarat-Maratha
Dravida-Utkala-Banga
Vindhya-Himachala-Yamuna-Ganga
Uchchala-Jaladhi-taranga.
Tava shubha name jage,
Tava shubha asisa mange,
Gahe tava jaya gatha,
Jana-gana-mangala-dayaka jaya he
Bharata-bhagya-vidhata.
Jaya he, jaya he, jaya he,
Jaya jaya jaya, jaya he!
The following is Tagore’s English rendering of the anthem
:
Thou art the ruler of the minds of all people,
dispenser of India’s destiny.
Thy name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sind,
Gujarat and Maratha,
Of the Dravida and Orissa and Bengal;
It echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas and Himalayas,
mingles in the music of Jamuna and Ganges and is
chanted by the waves of the Indian Sea.
They pray for thy blessings and sing thy praise.
The saving of all people waits in thy hand,
thou dispenser of India’s destiny.
Victory, victory, victory to thee.
National Song
Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's 'Vande Mataram' which was a source of inspiration to
the people in their struggle for freedom, has as equal status with 'Jana Gana Mana'.
Lyric & Meaning
Vande Mataram!
Sujalam, suphalam, malayaja shitalam,
Shasyashyamalam, Mataram!
Shubhrajyotsna pulakitayaminim,
Phullakusumita drumadala shobhinim,
Suhasinim sumadhura bhashinim,
Sukhadam varadam, Mataram!
The English translation of the stanza rendered by Sri
Aurobindo in prose is :
I bow to thee, Mother,
richly-watered, richly-fruited,
cool with the winds of the south,
dark with the crops of the harvests,
The Mother!
Her nights rejoicing in the glory of the moonlight,
her lands clothed beautifully with her trees in flowering bloom,
sweet of laughter, sweet of speech,
The Mother, giver of boons, giver of bliss.
National Calendar
The national calendar based on the Saka Era, with Chaitra as its first month and
a normal year of 365 days was adopted from 22 March 1957 along with the Gregorian
calendar for the following official purposes: (i) Gazette of India, (ii) news broadcast
by All India Radio, (iii) calendars issued by the Government of India and (iv) Government
communications addressed to the members of the public.
Dates of the national calendar have a permanent correspondence with dates of the
Gregorian calendar, 1 Chaitra falling on 22 March normally and on 21 March in leap
year.