National Symbols - 2

National symbol 2   

Though this is very basic for upsc yet it is  one of the imp topics to study as there were three questions asked directly from the "National symbols" in upsc prelim 2014
These topics are available everywhere on internet but are scattered so having everything in one place always saves time... 

 National Emblem

                                                                   

1.  The National Emblem of India is an adaptation from the Sarnath Lion capital of Ashoka.
2. In original , there are four lions , standing back to back mounted on abacus with frieze carrying  sculptures in high relief of an elephant , a galloping horse , a bull and a lion separated by             intervening wheels over a belled shaped lotus
3. Carved out of a single block of polished sandstone , the capital is crowned by wheel of law        (Dharma chakra
4. The original lioned capital was designed by Emperor Ashoka between 242-332 BC  to mark      hallowed spot where Siddharth Gautam (Budhha) first initiated his disciples in the eight fold path of salvation
5. This was adapted as the National Emblem on 26th Jan 1950 by govt. of India (Madhav Shawney)
6. The State Emblem adopted by the govt. has only three lions visible ,fourth being hidden from view.
7. The wheel appears in relief in the center of the abacus with bull on the right and horse on the left  side and the outline of the other wheel on extreme right and left 
8. The lion is the symbol of majesty and disciplined strength ,
9. The bull of steadfastness and hardwork,
10. The horse of  energy , loyalty and speed.
11. The words "Satyameva Jayate " are inscribed below in Devnagari script taken from Mundaka    Upanishad meaning "Truth Alone Triumphs".
12. The Indian National Emblem represents the authority of Govt.

     National Anthem 

1. The song " Jana Gana Mana " ,composed originally in Bengali by R.Tagore, is the National Anthem of India.
2. Its Hindi version was adopted by  Constituent Assembly as National Anthem on 24th Jan 1950.
3. It was first sung on December 27th 1911 at the calcutta session of Indian National Congress.
4.  The complete song consists of five stanzas.The first stanza consists full version of National Anthem.
5.  The playing time is 52 seconds - Full version
6. The playing time is 20 seconds - Short version
7. The song was first published in Jan 1921 under the title " Bharat vidhata" in the Tatva Bodhini Patrika by Tagore
8. The song was translated into english by Tagore in 1919 under the title " Morning song of India"
9. National Anthem is a call to all country men to be strong and united.

  

  Rules with Regards to National Anthem.

1. when played or sung , one must stand at attention and motionless ,to move about or talk is disrespected.
2. One should be able to sing correctly .
3. Show respect everywhere and on all occasions
4. 19th April 2004, Supreme court held that the audience in a cinema hall need not stand when national anthem was sung as part of a movie , a documentary or a running news reel.

    National Song 

1.  Vande Mataram composed by Bankimchandra Chatterji , is the National Song of India.
2. Adopted by constituent Assembly on Jan 24th 1950 along with National Anthem.
3. First sung at the 1896 session of Indian National Congress. 
4. Taken from Bankimchandra Chatterji s Anand Matth , published in 1882.
5. Originally composed in sanskrit was translated in english by Aurobindo.

    National Calendar

1. At the time of independence , the govt. of India followed the Gregorian calendar based on christian era.
2. The National government adopted the recommendations  of the calendar reform committee that the saka era be adopted as the bases of national calendar.
3. The saka year has the normal 365 days and begins with chaitra as its first month.
4. A uniform National calendar based on the saka era which began with vernal equinox   of 78 AD with first month chaitra and last phalguna and a normal year of 365 days was adopted from march 22nd 1957 along with Gregorian calendar.
5. National  calendar is issued for :- 1. Gazette of India 2. News broadcast by all india radio 3. Calendar issued by the govt. of India 4.Govt. communications addressed to the public.
6. The calendar commenced on chaitra 1 saka,1879 which corresponds to 22nd march 1957 AD
7. First six months are of 31 days and rest 30 days ( Chaitra being 30\31  starting with march 22\21).

    National Animal 

1. The magnificent Tiger , Panthera Tigris (Linnacus)  is the National Animal
2. Out of 8 races of the species known , the Indian race , the  Royal Bengal Tiger is found through out the country except the north western region.
3. Also found in Nepal , Bhutan and Bangladesh.
4. Lion was the National Animal of India till 1972.

    National Bird 

1. The Indian peacock , Pavo cristatus (Linnacus) is the National Bird.
2. It is fully protected under the Indian wild life (protection) Act 1972

    National Flower 

1. Lotus
2. It symbolises the truth that a person can rise above the worldly evils and keep himself high above them.

    National Fruit

1. Mango of the tree Mangifena Indica  

   National Tree

1. Banyan Tree Indian fig tree Ficus Bengalenses

   National River

1. The Ganga 
2. Longest river of India flowing over 2510 Kms
3. Originates in the Snow fields of the Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas as the Bhagirathi river.

   National Game 

1. Hockey , won 8 olympic gold medals.
2. 1928-1956--- golden era of hockey in India, when India won six consecutive gold medals in the olympics.
3. In 2008, Indian hockey confederation was changed to Hockey India for bright future.

   National Aquatic Animal

1. In October 2009 , the ganges River Dolphin was declared National aquatic animal.
2. Found in the ganges , Brahmaputra , Meghna rivers in India 
3. It is locally known as "susu"  in Ganges and "Hihu" in Brahmaputra.
4. It is very different in shape ,size and characteristics from the sea dolphin.
5. The gangetic dolphin is a highly endangered species in India and therefore has been included in the wildlife protection act of 1972.

(Source - Internet , TMH)