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INDIA NATIONAL FLOWER

Lotus is the National Flower of India

Lotus scientifically known as Nelumbo Nucifera is the National Flower of India.
A sacred flower occupying a unique position in the customs & traditions, art& mythology and history legends of India. A symbol of divinity, fertility, wealth, knowledge and enlightenment. It grows in murky waters and blooms above the surface, rising on a long stalk. A symbol of triumph, since the lotus is rooted in the mud and can survive to regerminate for thousands of years. It represents long life, honor, and good fortune.

Untouched by the impurity, lotus symbolises the purity of heart and mind. Human beings are instructed by Indian scripture to live a life of non-attachment, which is very hard. The lotus holds additional significance for Hindus, as it is a symbol of God and used often in religious practices. Then in Indian thought, there is the last and final lotus - Charan Kamal or lotus feet of the Almighty. It was this depth of thought that made the founding fathers of modern India enshrine the lotus in the Constitution as the National Flower.

The flower Lotus is regarded with divinity and grace. Often, the Hindu Goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswathi are associated with the flower lotus. Even Lord Shiva, who wanted to escape the wrath of the Lord Saneeswaran, morphed himself into the shape of a bee and took asylum inside a lotus. Buddhists regard this flower as a sacred one.

The Lotus symbolizes purity, beauty, majesty, grace, fertility, wealth, richness, knowledge and serenity. They are found in white and pink colors in general and they grow in shallow and murky waters. The pink one is regarded as the National Flower of India. Some blue colored flowers are also sighted. These flowers enjoy a warm sunlight and intolerant to cold weather. This is why, they are not seen blossoming in the winter. The floating leaves and flowers have long stems, which contains air spaces to maintain the buoyancy.

The Lotus or the Water Lily is an aquatic plant with broad floating green leaves and bright fragrant flowers that grow only in shallow waters. Based on the color of its flower, it is divided into two types, the red lotus flower and the white lotus flower. The beautiful flowers float and have many petals overlapping in a symmetrical pattern. Lotuses, prized for their serene beauty, are delightful to behold as their blossoms open on the surface of a pond.

The Lotus symbolizes spirituality, fruitfulness, wealth, knowledge and illumination. The most important thing about lotus is that even after growing in murky water it is untouched by its impurity. On the other hand the lotus symbolizes purity of heart and mind. The National Flower ‘Lotus’ or water lily is an aquatic plant of Nymphaea species with broad floating leaves and bright aromatic flowers that grow only in shallow waters

The leaves and flowers of the Lotus float and have long stems that contain air spaces in them. The lotus flowers have many petals overlapping in a proportional pattern. The root functions of lotus are carried out by rhizomes that fan out horizontally through the mud below the water. Lotuses, cherished for their tranquil beauty, are delightful to take a look at as their blossoms open on the pond’s surface.
The plant is having various uniqueness attached to it. Though the large leaves of the plant are floating on the surface of the water, even a drop of water is not accommodated on top of the leaves. Perhaps, they are teaching the human beings, to lead a life of non-attachment and avoid the worldly pleasures.

India National Flag

The Constituent Assembly of India adopted the design of the national flag on 22 July 1947. The use and display of the Indian National Flag is regulated by The Indian Flag code. A horizontal tricolor of dark green at the bottom, white in the middle and deep saffron (Kesari) at the top in equal proportion. The ratio of width to length is 2:3. A navy blue wheel with 24 spokes is in the centre of the white band. The design of the wheel is taken from the abacus of the Sarnath Lion capital of Ashoka. The wheel represents the Charka. Its diameter approximates the width of the white band.

The National flag of India has deep saffron (Kesari) representing ‘courage and sacrifice’ at the top, white ‘peace and truth’ in the middle and dark green ‘faith and chivalry’ at the bottom.

Apart from non- statutory instructions issued by the government from time to time, display of the national flag is governed by the Provisions of the Emblem and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950(No. 12 of 1950) and the Prevention of Insults of National Honour Act, 1971(No. 69 of 1971). The Flag code of India, 2002 is an attempt to bring together all such laws, conventions, practices and instructions for the guidance and benefit of all concerned.

As is the history of this great nation, its national flag also crossed many phases to reach the present look. During the colonial rule, a need was felt to have a national flag which could induce a feeling of togetherness and act as a powerful symbol of unity and integrity during the Indian Independence movement. In the year 1916, Pingali Venkayya, designed a flag which was approved by Mahatma Gandhi after incorporation of charkha into it. It was the constituent assembly after the Independence which deliberately discussed and adopted it as flag of this great nation.

There are some rules and regulations upon how to fly the flag, based on the 26 January 2002 legislation. These include the following:

The Do’s:

1. The National Flag may be hoisted in educational institutions (schools, colleges, sports camps, scout camps, etc.) to inspire respect for the Flag. An oath of allegiance has been included in the flag hoisting in schools.
2. A member of public, a private organization or an educational institution may hoist/display the National Flag on all days and occasions, ceremonial or otherwise consistent with the dignity and honour of the National Flag.
3. Section 2 of the new code accepts the right of all private citizens to fly the flag on their premises.

The Don’ts:

1. The flag cannot be used for communal gains, drapery, or clothes. As far as possible, it should be flown from sunrise to sunset, irrespective of the weather.
2. The flag cannot be intentionally allowed to touch the ground or the floor or trail in water. It cannot be draped over the hood, top, and sides or back of vehicles, trains, boats or aircraft.
3. No other flag or bunting can be placed higher than the flag. Also, no object, including flowers or garlands or emblems can be placed on or above the flag. The tricolour cannot be used as a festoon, rosette or bunting.