Welcome dear students! Today we are going to learn about National Symbols and National Day Celebration from Class 6 Social_Science. Let us begin our journey by understanding the introduction to this chapter. This lesson introduces National Symbols, our National Flag, the speciality of the National Flag, the National Flag Code, the National Anthem, our National Song, our National Emblem, the National Animal, Bird and Flower, National Festivals, and the celebration of important days. Our learning objectives are to understand the uniqueness of the National Flag, comprehend and appreciate the details and importance of the National Emblem, understand the background and importance of the National Anthem, and comprehend the importance of National Festivals and Celebrations of important days. [CHECKPOINT]
Now, let us explore what National Symbols are. Usually a country uses some special symbols that reflects the uniqueness of its culture and heritage. They are called National Symbols. National Flag and National Emblem are the main National Symbols of a country. Every country has its own national anthem. India also has its own national anthem. India has a national animal and national bird. These help to inculculate patriotism and feeling of integration in the citizens.
Let us move on to Our National Flag. A flag is a symbol of a nation. The national flag is a symbol of freedom, patriotism, unity and loyalty. Every citizen’s heart swells with pride when the national flag is hoisted. Now, let us look at the description of the Tricolour Flag of Independent India. Ours is a Tricolour flag. Saffron is on top, white is in the middle and green is at the bottom. There is a blue coloured wheel in the centre of the white colour. There are twenty four spokes in the wheel. The diameter of the wheel is equal to the width of the white stripe. The flag is rectangular in shape. Its aspect ratio is 3:2. The three coloured bands are in equal proportions. The fabric of the flag should be cotton or silk. And it should be hand woven. Its thread must be handmade. [CHECKPOINT]
What do the colours of our national flag indicate? This is a very important question. Saffron symbolizes selflessness and sacrifice, while White symbolizes truth, peace and purity. Green symbolizes the green earth; a sign of prosperity in agriculture and industries. The wheel is a replica of the wheel on the Ashoka pillar at Saranath. Ashoka chakra signifies Dharmachakra. Ashoka Chakra is also a symbol of continuous movement and progress.
Next, we will learn about the National Flag Code. Please remember these rules carefully. The National Flag should not be dirty or torn. Always the saffron colour should come on top, while hoisting the flag. No other flag should be placed higher than the national flag. The flag should be lifted up to tip of the pole and then hoisted. Always national flag should be hoisted after the sunrise and brought down before sunset. It should be kept folded. During the time of National mourning, the flag has to be hoisted halfmast. While walking, the flag has to be held in right hand. The National Flag should not be touched to the ground. Plastic flags should not be used. [CHECKPOINT]
Let us now turn our attention to Our National Anthem. Jana gana mana is India’s National Anthem. This was written by Rabindranath Tagore in Bengali language in 1911 C.E. The constituent assembly that was held on 24th January 1950 C.E accepted one stanza of the song, out of five stanzas, as the National Anthem. The time duration to sing the anthem is 52 seconds. Only first and last lines are sung, in some occasions. This might take around 20 seconds. Every Indian’s duty is to pay homage, which means respect, to the National Anthem. Disrespecting and causing interruptions to singing, results in severe punishments as per rules. We should stand upright while singing the National Anthem. The pronunciation should be error free.
Moving on to Our National Song. According to our constitution, Vande Mataram which is given as much respect as our National Anthem is considered as our National song. The song Vande Mataram was written by a famous writer Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. Before independence, this song was considered as the National Anthem, which was extracted from his novel Anandamath. The people who sacrificed their lives to protect this nation sang this song Vande Mataram till their last breath. [CHECKPOINT]
Now, let us look at Our National Emblem. Once take a look at our National Emblem. It is an other version of the capital, or head, of Ashoka’s stone pillar at Saranath. Since there are lions in this capital its called Lion capital. The Lion capital of Saranath is our national emblem or seal. In the original sculpture, there are four lions set back to back, facing four directions, standing on a circular pedestal. The pedestal is having wheels, one on each direction. Between those wheels there are images of an elephant, a bull, a horse and a lion. The wheel on the pedestal is also called Dharmachakra. Our national flag also has this wheel symbol placed in the centre of the white stripe. The Government of India accepted this as our national emblem on 26th January 1950 C.E. In the picture, we see only three lions. There is a quote from Mundaka Upanishad, seen at the bottom of the pedestal in Devanagari script, Satyameva Jayate, which means Truth alone triumphs.
Let us quickly note our National Animal, Bird and Flower. Tiger is our national animal. Peacock is India’s national bird. Lotus is our national flower. [CHECKPOINT]
Next, we will study the National Almanac, also known as panchanga. There are many types of almanacs in use all over India. The Government of India launched the National Almanac on 22nd March 1957 to have a uniform almanac applicable to the nation for daily use. The famous scientist late Meghnad Saha played a vital role in preparing this almanac. The National Almanac has adopted the Shaka era. This Shaka era begins 78 years after the Common Era. The first month in National Almanac is Chaitra masa. The year starts on March 22nd and in a leap year it starts on 21st March. The Government of India uses dates of both the National Almanac and Christian Calendar for its correspondence and documents.
Now, let us explore National Festivals. The festivals that are universally celebrated all over the nation is called National Festivals. First is Republic Day. The constitution of the Republic of India came into effect on 26th January 1950. To commemorate this event, 26th January is celebrated as Republic Day every year, all across India. On that day, those who have served the nation in various fields are given awards. The President, in the presence of the chief guests, hoist the flag and then the procession starts. The procession, organized in New Delhi, the capital of our nation, will be very grand. Major programs are held on this occasion in all the state capitals. [CHECKPOINT]
Second is Independence Day. Independence Day is celebrated in our country on 15th August, every year. A special function will be organized at Red Fort in Delhi. This is where the tricolour flag was hoisted when India was declared Independent. Every year on 15th of August Prime Minister of our country hoist the flag on the Red Fort. The Prime Minister addresses the whole nation and also those who come to be a part of the function. Independence Day is a festival celebrated all over the nation. People hoist the National Flag and salute it.
Third is Gandhi Jayanthi. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, is known as Mahatma across nations. India’s Independence Movement gained new strength under his leadership. In his memory, Gandhi Jayanthi is celebrated throughout the nation on October 2nd. The United Nations has declared October 2nd, Gandhi’s Birthday, as International Day of Non Violence. On the same day, we also celebrate the birthday of Lal Bahadur Shastri.
Let us now learn about some important commemorative days. First is Ambedkar Jayanthi. Dr. Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar’s birthday is celebrated on 14th of April, every year. He was the person who was the chairman of the drafting committee of the constitution of Independent India. Ambedkar strongly believed that political freedom without social freedom is meaningless. He studied caste discrimination and led many agitations to abolish it. He headed the movements called Mahad and Kalaram. He participated in three round table conferences and gave valuable suggestions. [CHECKPOINT]
Next is Teachers Day Celebration. The second President of India, Dr. Radhakrishnan was a great scholar. Since, Radhakrishnan was a great teacher and philosopher, we celebrate his birthday on 5th September as Teacher’s Day. He worked at Mysore University in Karnataka.
Then comes Children’s Day Celebration. Children’s Day is celebrated on 14th of November on the birthday of India’s First Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. Nehru was a nature lover. Red rose was his favourite flower. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru entered the freedom struggle with the Home Rule Movement. He was the President of Lahore Session in 1929 C.E. First Prime Minister Nehru is considered as the architect of modern India and industrialization. After Independence he became the proponent of Panchasheel, the non alignment policy a foreign policy and the five year plans.
Now, Swami Vivekananda and National Youth Day Celebration. Swami Vivekananda lived from 1863 to 1902 C.E. He became indomitable spirit and inspiration to Youth and took the entire nation in a new direction. He tried to get rid of superstition in the name of religion, propagated revolutionary ideas and founded the Ramakrishna Mission. It was Swami Vivekananda who gave a new dimension of social service to monastic life. He said, Let the poor, the ignorant, the illiterate and the sick be your God. Know that serving them is the greatest religion. The central government has declared his birthday on 12th January as National Youth Day. The government of Karnataka has announced a new policy to encourage the youth on this occasion. [CHECKPOINT]
Finally, let us learn about Karnataka Rajyotsava Day. November 1 is the day. Karnataka was formed on November 1st, 1956 by unifying the Kannada regions of Bombay, Madras, Hyderabad and Kodagu provinces with Mysore province. It was called the Mysore State. In commemoration of this event, November 1st of every year is celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava with great enthusiasm. On November 1st 1973, the then Chief Minister, Devaraj Urs renamed the Mysore State as Karnataka.
Now, let us practice with the exercises to make sure you have understood everything perfectly.
Exercise One: Fill in the blank with a correct word. Question one. The white colour in our National Flag symbolizes truth, peace and purity. Question two. Our National Song was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. Question three. Mysore state was named as Karnataka in the year 1973. Question four. The one who hoists our national flag on the Red fort is the Prime Minister of our country.
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Exercise Two: Answer the following questions. Question five. Which are our National Symbols? Answer: National Flag and National Emblem are the main National Symbols of a country. Every country has its own national anthem, national animal, and national bird. These help to inculculate patriotism and feeling of integration in the citizens.
Question six. What are the features of the national flag code? Answer: The features of the national flag code are as follows. The National Flag should not be dirty or torn. Always the saffron colour should come on top while hoisting. No other flag should be placed higher than the national flag. The flag should be lifted up to the tip of the pole and then hoisted. It should always be hoisted after sunrise and brought down before sunset, and kept folded. During national mourning, it is hoisted halfmast. While walking, it must be held in the right hand. It should not touch the ground, and plastic flags should not be used.
Question seven. Which are our national festivals? Answer: Our national festivals are Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi Jayanthi. These are universally celebrated all over the nation.
Question eight. Name some commemorative days celebrated in schools. Answer: Some commemorative days celebrated in schools are Ambedkar Jayanthi on April 14th, Teachers Day on September 5th, Children’s Day on November 14th, and National Youth Day on January 12th.
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Finally, let us look at the activities suggested in your textbook to deepen your learning. First, collect national flags of different countries. Second, listen to the National Anthems of different nations. Third, memorize the National song and sing it. Fourth, know the local festivals celebrated in your village. These activities will help you connect with the rich cultural heritage of our country and the world.
I hope you enjoyed this lesson on National Symbols and National Day Celebration. You have learned about our flag, anthem, emblem, national festivals, and important commemorative days. Keep revising these facts and dates regularly. Thank you for listening! Keep revising and practicing. Goodbye! [CHAPTER_COMPLETE]