1. Chapter at a Glance

India is a country of many differences. People speak different languages, wear different clothes, eat different food, play different drums and dance in different styles. Yet all of us share one flag, one Constitution and the same national symbols.

The chapter begins with a Republic Day celebration at school and the grand parade in New Delhi. It explains why we celebrate Independence Day on 15 August and Republic Day on 26 January. Then it shows how a simple currency note tells us a lot about India: its languages, monuments, national emblem and the Clean India Mission.

We also learn about our national symbols, the many languages of India, and different headgear, drums, music and dances. The chapter ends with the idea of unity in diversity: like a forest with many kinds of plants and animals, India’s differences make it stronger. Old traditions and new technology live side by side, and all of us should care for our country.

2. Word Meanings

3. Important Topics

A. Republic Day

• It is celebrated every year on 26 January.
• Schools hold flag hoisting and sing the National Anthem together.
• In New Delhi, a grand parade shows the Army, Navy, Air Force, fighter jets, state tableaux and cultural programmes.

B. Meaning of the Flag’s Colours

C. Independence Day and Republic Day

A country needs rules to run smoothly and keep everyone safe, just like a game needs rules. That is why India made its Constitution.

D. India in Our Currency Notes

• There are two pictures of Mahatma Gandhi on each note. The second is a watermark, seen against light.
• The round spectacles are the sign of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, because Gandhi ji cared a lot about cleanliness.
• The value is written in many Indian languages.
• Each note shows a monument from a different state.
• Some notes have raised prints for people who cannot see. The MANI app also helps them identify notes.

E. National Emblem and Symbols

• The National Emblem shows three lions on a round base with the Ashoka Chakra below.
• It stands for strength, courage and confidence, and appears on documents like the Aadhaar card.
• Lions once lived across India. Today they are found in the wild only in the Gir forest of Gujarat. Their number fell to a few dozen but has grown to several hundred because of protection.
• National animal: Tiger. National bird: Peacock.
• Every state has its own animal, bird, tree and flower.

F. Languages of India

• More than a thousand languages are spoken in India.
• Each language has its own history, songs and stories.
• Example: mango is aam in Hindi, maampazham in Tamil, amba in Marathi and aam in Bengali.
• Mobile translation apps help us learn other languages.

G. Headgear

• Headgear shows where a person comes from, their beliefs or their work.
• Examples: safa or pagdi in Rajasthan, topi in Himachal Pradesh, turban in Punjab.
• It is important at weddings and formal occasions.
• Helmets are worn for safety by soldiers, miners, construction workers and riders. A helmet is compulsory on two-wheelers.

H. Drums, Music and Dance

• Music and dance are ways to celebrate, pray, tell stories and bring people together.
• Drums differ from region to region: dhol, dholak, tabla, mridangam, pakhawaj, thavil, idakka, khol, khanjira, nagara.
• Carnatic music uses the mridangam. Hindustani music uses the sitar and shehnai.
• Different dance forms come from different states, such as Bhangra (Punjab), Garba (Gujarat), Bihu (Assam), Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu), Kathakali (Kerala) and Odissi (Odisha).

I. Unity in Diversity

• A garden with few plants needs constant care. A forest with many plants and animals looks after itself and grows stronger.
• In the same way, diversity makes India stronger and more self-sufficient.
• India is like a fabric woven from many different threads.
• We have an old heritage, like yoga, ayurveda and meditation, and a modern side, like rockets, fast trains and digital payments. The new adds colour to the old; it does not replace it.
• As citizens, we should care for our country.

4. Question-Answers

Very Short Answer Questions

1. When is Republic Day celebrated?
On 26 January.

2. When did India become independent?
On 15 August 1947.

3. What is the Constitution?
The special rule book of our country.

4. When did India start following its Constitution?
On 26 January 1950.

5. What does the saffron colour of our flag stand for?
Strength and courage.

6. What does the Ashoka Chakra represent?
Duty (dharma).

7. Whose picture is printed on our currency notes?
Mahatma Gandhi’s.

8. What are the spectacles on the currency note a symbol of?
The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission).

9. Where are lions found in the wild today?
In the Gir forest of Gujarat.

10. What is the national animal of India?
The tiger.

11. What is the national bird of India?
The peacock.

12. How many languages are spoken in India?
More than a thousand.

13. Which app helps people with visual impairment identify currency notes?
The MANI app.

14. Which monument is shown on the ₹10 note?
The Sun Temple of Konark, Odisha.

15. What is India’s currency symbol?
₹ (rupee).

Short Answer Questions

1. Why do we celebrate Republic Day on 26 January?
On 26 January 1950, India started following its Constitution, the rule book of the country. That is why we celebrate this day as Republic Day every year.

2. Why does a country need rules?
Without rules, there would be confusion and people could get hurt. Rules help a country run smoothly and keep everyone safe and happy.

3. What can we see at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi?
We can see marching soldiers of the Army, Navy and Air Force, fighter jets in the sky, tanks, colourful state tableaux and cultural programmes.

4. What are the meanings of the colours of our National Flag?
Saffron stands for strength and courage, white for peace and truth, and green for growth and prosperity. The blue Ashoka Chakra in the centre stands for duty.

5. Why is the Swachh Bharat symbol based on Gandhi ji’s spectacles?
Gandhi ji believed everyone should keep their surroundings clean. People in his ashram followed strict rules of cleanliness, so his spectacles were chosen as the symbol of the Clean India Mission.

6. How do currency notes help people with visual impairment?
Some notes have raised prints and symbols that can be felt by touch. The MANI app also helps them identify notes.

7. What does the National Emblem show and represent?
It shows three lions on a round platform with the Ashoka Chakra below. It represents strength, courage and confidence.

8. Why is India proud of its lions?
Lions once lived across India, but their number fell to only a few dozen. Because of great efforts to protect them, India now has several hundred lions in the wild.

9. What can headgear tell us about a person?
Headgear can tell us where a person is from, what they believe in or what work they do.

10. Why is headgear worn for protection?
Helmets protect soldiers, construction workers and miners from injury. Riders on two-wheelers wear helmets to prevent serious head injuries.

11. Name the musical instruments used in Carnatic and Hindustani music.
The mridangam is used in Carnatic music. The sitar and shehnai are used in Hindustani music.

12. Why do drums look and sound different in different parts of India?
Each drum is shaped by local culture, traditions and the materials available in that area.

Long Answer Questions

1. How is India like a forest and not a garden?
A garden usually has few kinds of plants and needs constant care and watering. A forest has many kinds of plants, trees, animals, birds and insects. They support each other, so the forest looks after itself and becomes stronger. India is like a forest. Its many languages, cultures, clothes and traditions make it stronger and more self-sufficient.

2. What can we learn about India from a currency note?
A currency note shows Mahatma Gandhi’s picture, and a second picture seen as a watermark against light. It has the Swachh Bharat spectacles, the National Emblem and the value written in many Indian languages, which shows India’s diversity. Each note has a monument from a different state, like the Sun Temple of Konark on the ₹10 note. Some notes also have raised prints for people who cannot see.

3. “India is a shining example of the spirit of togetherness.” Explain.
India has many languages, religions, clothes and traditions, yet people live together and help each other. Each region has its own story, and all these stories are woven together like threads into one strong, colourful fabric. India has an old heritage of yoga, ayurveda and meditation, along with modern progress like rockets, fast trains and digital payments. The new things do not replace old traditions but add more colour to them.

Textbook Exercise Answers

Name some rivers and mountain ranges mentioned in the National Anthem.

Riddles: Guess the national symbols.

• Riddle 1 (orange with black stripes): Tiger, the national animal
• Riddle 2 (dances in the rain with green and blue feathers): Peacock, the national bird

Write five rules followed at your school. Suggest one new rule.

• Come to school on time.
• Wear a clean uniform.
• Keep the classroom clean.
• Raise your hand before speaking.
• Respect teachers and classmates.

New rule: One “no plastic” day every week.

What are some traditional Indian musical instruments?
Sitar, tabla, veena, flute (bansuri), shehnai, sarangi, mridangam, dhol and harmonium.

Which monuments do you see on different currency notes?

Identify India’s currency symbol. Which other symbols can you identify?
India’s symbol is ₹ (rupee). The others are:

Identify the great people shown and write about their contributions.

• Bhagat Singh: A brave young freedom fighter who gave his life for India’s freedom.
• Subhas Chandra Bose: Led the Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) to fight for India’s independence.
• Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: A great scientist, called the “Missile Man of India”, who later became the President of India.
• Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan: A great teacher and the second President of India. Teachers’ Day is celebrated on his birthday, 5 September.
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: A brave Maratha king known for his courage, good governance and strong navy.
• The woman freedom fighter: Identify her from the picture with your teacher’s help and write about her contribution.

If we had to choose a national fruit, which would you suggest and why?
Sample: Mango, because it grows in many states, has many varieties and is loved by almost everyone.