2. National symbols
Generally, a country adopts certain
symbols to represent its culture, traditions and
values. These are called national symbols.
The national flag and the national emblem are
the main national symbols of a country.
Similarly, every country has its own
national anthem. Some countries have a
national animal, national bird and also a
national flower. All these symbols inspire and
promote feelings of patriotism and unity in the
citizens.
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3. Our National Flag
The flag is an emblem of the
country. It is a symbol of freedom,
patriotism, unity and loyalty. The heart
of every citizen is filled with pride
when he/she sees the flag flying high
on the flag-mast.
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5. Code of the National Flag
• The flag should not be dirty or torn.
• When hoisting the flag, care should be taken to ensure
that saffron color is at the top.
• No other flag should fly higher than the National Flag.
• The flag should be hoisted upto the top of the flag pole.
• The National Flag should be hoisted after sunrise, and
should be lowered before sunset, and thereafter kept
folded.
• The flag should be flown at half-mast at the time of
national mourning.
• The flag should be held in the right hand while marching.
• The flag should not touch the ground.
• Plastic flags should not be used.
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6. Our National Emblem
It is an National Emblem adaptation
from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka.
Capital means top part of a pillar.
Since there are lions at the top of
Ashoka's pillar, the capital of the pillar is
known as Lion capital. The lion capital of
Sarnath pillar is our National Emblem.
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8. Our National Anthem
The song Jana-gana-mana is our
National Anthem. It was composed by
Rabindranath Tagore in 1911 in Bengali
language.
Only the first five stanzas of this lengthy
song were adopted as the National
Anthem by the Constituent Assembly on
24 January, 1950.
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9. Our National Song
Vande Mataram is given
importance equal to the National Anthem
in our Constitution. During national
programmes, Vande Mataram is sung as
a prayer in the beginning and Jana-gana-
mana is sung at the end. Vande Mataram
was composed by the famous writer
Bankimchandra Chatterji.
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10. National Animal, Bird and Flower
The tiger is our National Animal. It is very
attractive and enormously powerful.
The peacock is our National Bird. With a
glistening blue breast and neck, and a
fan-shaped crest of feathers in bronze-
green, it is an attractive and colourful bird.
The lotus, which occupies a special place
in Indian culture, is our National Flower
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12. National Festivals
The festivals that are uniformly celebrated all
over the country are known as National
Festivals.
• Republic Day
• Independence Day
• Gandhi Jayanti
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13. Celebrations
• Ambedkar Jayanti
• Teacher’s Day
• Children’s Day
• The Youth Day
• Karnataka Rajyotsava
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