AIESEC Indore | Discover India an AIESEC India Initiative AIESEC India-31 Years of Glorious Existence | www.aiesec.in

Discover India Conference

2012

AIESEC Indore | Discover India an AIESEC India Initiative AIESEC India-31 Years of Glorious Existence | www.aiesec.in

INDORE

AIESEC Indore | Discover India an AIESEC India Initiative AIESEC India-31 Years of Glorious Existence | www.aiesec.in

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.

AIESEC Indore | Discover India an AIESEC India Initiative AIESEC India-31 Years of Glorious Existence | www.aiesec.in

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

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

The colour in the middle is White: 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.

AIESEC Indore | Discover India an AIESEC India Initiative AIESEC India-31 Years of Glorious Existence | www.aiesec.in

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.

AIESEC Indore | Discover India an AIESEC India Initiative AIESEC India-31 Years of Glorious Existence | www.aiesec.in

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.

AIESEC Indore | Discover India an AIESEC India Initiative AIESEC India-31 Years of Glorious Existence | www.aiesec.in

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

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.

AIESEC Indore | Discover India an AIESEC India Initiative AIESEC India-31 Years of Glorious Existence | www.aiesec.in

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.

AIESEC Indore | Discover India an AIESEC India Initiative AIESEC India-31 Years of Glorious Existence | www.aiesec.in

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

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.