Learn about our National Symbols

Symbols are created to unite people using either a visual vocabulary, or by creating verbal representations of a nation’s goals, values or history. India, for example, is a country that is home to people with diverse backgrounds, religions, cultures and traditions. Binding all these together is our National Anthem and our National Flag. And this is what sets us apart from other nations and gives us a sense of individuality and pride in our motherland.
Symbols should be cherished and preserved by all of us for they are what makes us unique and what makes us proud to be Indian. Here are some facts on some of our other national symbols:
The national animal
The Tiger is symbolic of India’s wealth of wildlife. Its combination of grace, strength, agility and enormous power has contributed to making it our national animal. Sadly however, this magnificent beast is in danger of extinction today.
The national flower
The Lotus symbolises divinity, fertility, wealth and enlightenment. It occupies a unique place in our art and mythology and is held in the hands of numerous Gods and Goddesses. This is a flower that rises above the dark depths of the water to spread its beauty for everyone to see — therefore it is considered a symbol of triumph.
The lotus also symbolises purity of heart and mind.
The national bird
The Peacock is India’s national bird because it is symbolic of beauty, grace, pride and mysticism. Depicted in the company of Gods and Goddesses, the peacock is protected by a Parliamentary statute as well as under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The national fruit
The Mango, cultivated in India since time immemorial, is our national fruit. We have over 100 varieties of the fruit that come in a range of colours, shapes and sizes. Our heritage is full of tales, songs and sketches of the mango tree. The poet Kalidasa sang its praises, Akbar was so taken up by the fruit that he planted a grove of mango trees. The mango tree is also as a symbol of life and is thus used in puja ceremonies or to decorate the doorways of homes. It heralds the season of spring and is considered the Creator’s blessing. And who can forget that the paisley takes its inspiration from the mango?
The national tree
The Banyan tree that towers over its counterparts and has the widest reaching roots of all known trees that in turn have the ability to give birth to new shoots, is our national tree. The Banyan, is capable of regenerating and is therefore thought of as immortal. Old pictures depict our sages sitting under the shade of this leafy tree holding their councils and meetings. It is not surprising therefore, that this is one of our national symbols.

Answer This Question?

Who do you think are the 3 most important people in the world today?
*The three most important people in the world today are the soldier, the doctor and the farmer. Soldiers are fighters who protect our country.
They are ready to die for their country so that we live in peace and dignity. Doctors too lead a stressful life spending all their time in treating us. Farmers feed us.
They are the very soul of our country. That is why the late Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri gave us the slogan: Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.
(Dheeraj V. JessaniSt Stanislaus High School .Mumbai)

*To me, the three most important people in the world are mother, teacher and friend.God exists but cannot be present physically every where. A mother takes care of her young ones even at the cost of her life. She is a child’s constant companion — feeding, clothing, teaching and nurturing. We owe our existence to our mother. Next comes the teacher who gives us knowledge which helps us succeed in life. Thirdly, a true friend who you can depend on is a priceless possession.
(Maranatha Edwin,Delhi Public School)

Today’s inspiration

The tears happen:
Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourself.LIVE while you are alive.

In the blink of an eye

Have you ever wondered why you blink your eyes? If you haven’t, here’s some food for thought. Blinking our eyes automatically supplies them with moisture. In fact, blinking acts like oil would if used on dry skin. Blinking is so fast that the motion does not impair our vision. It lasts only one tenth of a second — all the time needed to clear away those dust particles and to spread lubricating fluids across the eyeball.
Amazing isn’t it? Think about it. One blink later and your eyes are moistened! Our eyelids can be likened to "wind-shield wipers." Their rims are lined with 20-30 sebaceous, oil-producing glands, which are located between our eyelashes, and are invisible to the naked eye. Our eyelids draw on a fluid from the tear duct over our eyeballs to moisturise our eyes. This same fluid flows copiously when we cry.
But apart from keeping our eyes from drying out, blinking also helps to keep the foreign bodies out. Blinking also keeps your eyes safe from situations where you have to confront harsh, bright lights. Blinking causes our eyelids to lower and with this motion our eyelashes serve as dust-catchers. If you look at the camel, for example, you will find that it has huge, thick curly eyelashes. That’s because the camel, also known as the Ship of the Desert, needs protection against the frequent dust storms that it may encounter on its journey through the desert.
And last but not least if you’ve ever wondered why the world around you does not go dark every time you blink, scientists have discovered that the human brain ignores what it perceives to be a momentary blackout.
And now for some interesting expressions associated with the eyes:
* Shalini is the ‘apple of her father’s eye’ (a cherished person).
* My mother did not ‘bat an eyelash’ when we told her we were going to be home late (show surprise).
* We couldn’t ‘believe our eyes’ when we saw our teacher at the party (believe what one sees).
* I tried to ‘catch Anil’s eye’ at the party but he did not see me (attract one’s attention).
* His ‘eyes were bigger than his stomach’ when he went to the restaurant and ordered too much food (take more than what you can eat).
* The teacher has ‘eyes in the back of her head’ and always knows what is going on in the classroom (ability to know what happens when one’s back is turned).
There are many more ‘eye’ idioms like these. Why don’t you see how many you know?

Improve Your Language

Everyone has the right to express him/herself in any way they choose. However, if you do wish to communicate effectively, you must use the right words and in the right context. Here is a rough guide to help you navigate your way through the English language maze.
Common grammatical errors
1 .Accept, except
Correct usage:
* Usha and Ravi accepted my invitation to dinner.
* Everyone went out to dinner except me.Point to remember: Accept is a verb while except is a preposition.
2 .Advice, advise
Correct usage:
* Ravi’s advice was invaluable.
* I was advised to buy a better guidebook.
Point to remember: Advice is a noun while advise is a verb.
3. Affect, effect
Correct usage:
* My mother told me that pollution affects everyone.
* However the word will change when you say ‘The effects of pollution include diseases like asthma.’
* Similarly, ‘Your anger does not affect me.’ But the word changes when you say ‘Your anger has no effect on me.’
Point to remember: Affect is a verb which means to influence; to attack or infect, as a disease, to act on the emotions of; touch or move. Effect could be either a noun or a verb. The verb means to cause; to happen; while the noun means the result.
4 .Almost, most
Correct usage:
* Almost all the dinner I cooked was eaten.
* Most of us are studying hard these days.
Point to remember: Almost is an adverb while most is used to modify a noun and is used to form the superlative.
5 .Already, all ready
Correct usage:
* The paper had already begun by the time we reached the examination hall.
* Ravi, Seema and I were all ready for the examination.
Point to remember: Already means ‘before the specified time’ while all ready means ‘completely prepared.’
6. Altogether, all together
Correct usage:
* The thought of another tsunami is altogether too scary.
* Ravi, Seema and I were all together in the park.
Point to remember: Altogether means ‘completely, thoroughly’ while all together means ‘in a group.’