INDORE

India is the 7th largest nation in the world in terms of land area. It is the 2nd largest in terms

of population; making it the largest democracy in the world.

The Indian Subcontinent is bordered by Pakistan in the West; China, Nepal and Bhutan in

the North; Myanmar and Bangladesh in the East; Sri Lanka and Maldives in the South.

However if the Andaman Nicobar Islands are considered, then Indonesia and Thailand

neighbour in the further East.

The Indian Peninsula is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal in the East, Indian Ocean in the

South and the Arabian Sea in the West.

Home of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, it is one of the oldest nations in the world;

long identified with vast wealth and riches throughout the ages. India is the birthplace of

Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism – 4 of the major religions of the world. Other

major religions such as Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Islam and Judaism are also found here

giving India it’s rich and diverse culture; which exerted tremendous influence around the

world, as evident by linguistic, literature, mythologies and traditions; from as far East as

Japan to as far West as Ancient Rome.

The Indian National Flag is tricolored. It has 3 horizontal lines with a disc in the

centre:

The colour at the top is : which represents Sacrifice and Deep Saffron

Courage.

The colour in the middle is : which represents Truth and purity.

The colour at the bottom is Green: which represents Peace and

Prosperity.

The Blue disc in the centre is the Ashok Chakra: which represents the

Laws of Dharma (righteousness) adopted from the Pillars erected by the

Mauryan Emperor Ashoka the Great.

The LION CAPITAL is the national emblem of India. It consists of 4 lions sitting at 90* to

each other, each facing in one of the four cardinal directions.

At the base of the lions’ feet is located the WHEEL OF DHARMA or Ashok Chakra: the wheel

found on the Indian Flag.

On either side of the wheel is a galloping horse, bull (visible view), an elephant and a lion

(far side) relief.

Erected at around 250 BCE at Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh province, the original pillar can still

be seen in its original location, but the Lion Capital is located at Sarnath Museum. Also the

original Wheel crowning the 4 lions has been lost. This wheel can be seen in the intact

second pillar of Ashok located in Thailand (pictured above: left).

The Motto of the Indian Republic (pictured above: right) is SATYAMEV JAYATE, which

means “Truth Alone Triumphs”. Another feature adopted from the Mauryan heritage.

FATHER OF THE NATION: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (2 October 1869 – 30 January

1948) also known as “mahatma” which means “Great Soul” [“maha = Great” and “Atma =

Soul”]. He led Colonial India to independence from the British Empire using Non-Violent

Resistance and inspiring millions across the world such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Nelson

Mandela, Aung San Suu Kyi, John Lennon and many others.

The ever graceful is National land animal of India. Symbol of Bravery, India has Bengal Tiger

the largest number of tigers in the world, and nearly a dozen Tiger Reserves to protect this

endangered animal. 5 of these reserves are in the Central Indian Province of Madhya

Pradesh, of which Indore is the commercial capital.

The INDIAN LOTUS (Nelumbo

Nucifera) is the National flower

of India. It symbolizes divinity,

fertility, wealth, enlightenment

and knowledge. It is also

regarded as a symbol of

perseverance and triumph as it

can survive in harsh conditions

(muddy waters and swamps)

and can survive to germinate for

thousands of years.

The Blue Peafowl or Indian Peacock is the National bird of India, noted for its magnificent

blue plumage and feathers.

The South Asian River

Dolphin or Gangetic

Dolphin is the National

Aquatic Animal. They’re

different than other

dolphins in that they swim

on their sides. They’re

found in the Brahmaputra

and Ganga (Ganges) rivers

while another species of

these dolphins can be

found in the Indus River

and its tributaries; Beas and Sutlej.

Ficus Benghalensis or simply the is the National tree of India. Also known as Banyan Tree

the Indian Fig, this tree is noted for sprouting aerial roots that grow downwards. Once one

of these roots reaches the ground, it grows to become a woody trunk. The largest Banyan

tree in Asia is located in the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, Howrah

(Kolkatta). It is 250yrs old with a 1km circumference and 3300 aerial roots descending

down.

The Indian Mango is the

National fruit of India, referred

to as the KING OF FRUITS. India

is the world’s largest producer

mangoes and accounts for a

third of global production.

However less than 1% is

accounted as international

trade as India consumes most

of its own production