NATIONAL EMBLEM

A first glimpse of the national emblem at the top of new parliament housing coming under up as part of the Central Vista project has been unveiled by the Prime Minister.

About national emblem

• The State emblem of India is the National Emblem of the Republic of India and is used by the Union Government, State Government, and other various government agencies.
• The state emblem is an adaptation from the Sarnath lion capital of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka.
• Four Asiatic lions are part of the national emblem with three lions being visible to the naked eye and the fourth one always hidden from the general view, mounted on an abacus with a frieze carrying sculptures in high relief of an elephant, a galloping horse, a bull and a lion separated by intervening wheels over a bell-shaped lotus.

Emblem adopted

• On 26 January 1950, the state emblem was adopted by the Government of India where only three lions are visible and the fourth is hidden from view.
• The bell-shaped lotus has been omitted.
• The wheel appears in relief in the center of the abacus with a bull on right and a horse on the left and the outline of other wheels on the extreme left and right.

Feature of the national emblem

• It is the official seal of the government of India
• The four animals are shown representing four directions.

• An elephant: East-elephant depicts the dream of Queen Maya, where a white elephant enters her womb.
• A galloping horse: west – it represents the horse Kanthaka, which Buddha is said to have used for leaving his princely life.
• A lion: north- it shows the attainment of enlightenment.
• A bull: south – it depicts the zodiac sign of Taurus, the month in which Buddha was born.
• The word Satyameva Jayate from Mundaka Upanishad, which means truth alone triumphs inscribed below the abacus in Devanagari script.
• The four lions symbolized Buddha spreading dharma in all directions.

Legal provision

• State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act 2005 and the State Emblem of India (Regulation of Use) Rules 2007:
• According to these rules, the National Emblem of India can only be used as per the provisions of the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act 2005, and any unauthorized use is punishable under the law.
• There is strict punishment for imprisonment of up to 2 years or a fine of up to Rs 5000 if someone violates the law

Usage

• On the Currency of India
• On the Passports of India
• The Ashoka Chakra in the National Flag is taken from the National Emblem
• On the Letterheads of the Central Government, State Government, and other government agencies.
• Buildings:
• Rashtrapati Bhawan
• Parliament House
• Supreme Court
• High Courts
• Central Secretariat
• Secretariat Buildings of States and Union Territories
• State Legislature
• Premises of India’s Diplomatic Mission abroad
• Residence of Heads of Missions in the countries of their accreditation