National Song:
The song Vande Mataram composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterji has an equal status with Jana Mana Gana. The song was taken from Bankim's famous novel 'Anand Math'. The phrase "Vande Mataram' meaning 'I salute thee, O Mother!' became a source of immense inspiration for all Indians during their fight for Independence from the Imperial British Government.

The National Flag:
The National Flag is of horizontal tri-colour of deep saffron (kesaria) at the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom in equal proportion.
The ratio of the width of the flag to its length is 2:3. In the center of the white band is a wheel, in navy blue. Its design is that of the wheel (chakra) which appears on the abacus of the Sarnath lion capital of Ashoka. Its diameter approximate the width of the white band. It has 24 spokes.
The design of the National Flag was adopted by the constituent assembly of India on 22nd July, 1947. Its use and display are regulated by a code.

National Calendar:
At the time of Independence, the Government of India followed the Gregorian calendar based on the Christian era. The National Government adopted the recommendation of the Calendra reform committee that the Saka era be adopted as the basis of the National Calendar.
The Saka era has the normal 365 days and begins with the Chaitra as its first month. The days of the Saka calendar has permanent correspondence with the dates of the Gregorian calendar. Chaitra 1 falling on March 22 in a normal year and on March 21st on a leap year.
The National Calendar commenced on Chaitra 1 Saka, 1879 corresponding to March 22, 1957 A.D.
The months of the National Calendar, with their days and dates of the Gregorian Calendar corresponding to the first day of the Saka month are given below

Saka & Gregorian Calendars
1 Chaitra 30/31 days	March 22/21
1 Vaisakha 31	April 21
1 Jyaistha 31	May 22
1 Asasha 31	June 22
1 Sravana 31	July 23
1 Bhadra 31	August 23
1 Asvina 30	September 23
1 Kartika 30	October 23
1 Agrahayana 30	November 22
1 Pausa 30	December 22
1 Magha 30	January 21
1 Phalguna 30	February 20

National Animal: Tiger.

National Flower: Lotus.

National Bird: Peacock.