"To other countries, I may go as a tourist. But in Bharat, I may come as Pilgrim."

"Uttaram Yat Samudrasya himadrescaiva odaksinam . Vasam tad bharatam nama bharati Yatra santatih."

It means: The country that lies north of the ocean and south of the snowy mountains is called Bharatam there dwells the descendants of Bharatha.

Bharat, a Sanskrit word, literally translates into ' to bear/ to carry ' and means ' one who is in search of light/ knowledge '. India has been historically known as Bharat, which means one in search of light or knowledge.

Bharat represents "Unity in diversity ".Our country is a mixture of cultures, regions, traditions, diversity in food, languages etc. Our people of Bharat are so polite, understanding and helpful in nature. The national bird of Bharat is a peacock and is very beautiful. Bharat is so incredible, and is full of colour and has a tiger as it's national animal, hockey as it's national game etc the national language or mother language of our country is Hindi.

We need to work towards giving our future generations a competitive nation which has the following characteristics:

1. A nation that is prosperous, healthy, secure, peaceful and happy.
2. A nation where the rural-urban divide has been reduced to a thin line.
3. A nation where there is an equitable distribution of energy and quality water.
4. A nation where agriculture, industry and the service sector work in symphony, absorbing technology, thereby resulting in sustained wealth generation leading to a higher employment potential.
5. A nation which is the best education for the most talented scholars and scientists all over the world.
6. A nation where the best of health care is available to the entire population.
7. A nation where the governments use the best of technology to be responsive, transparent, easily accessive of simple on their rules, and thereby free of corruption.
8. A nation where poverty has been totally alleviated, illiteracy and crime against women are eradicated, and no one in society feels alienated.
9. A nation that is one of the best places to live on Earth and brings similes to a billion faces.

'Atithi Devo Bhava' - the most famous saying means guests are like God and it is the spirit of the Bharat tradition and culture when they welcome their guests. It really reflects the rich and cultural heritage and warm hospitality of the people of Bharat. With a civilization of more than 5000 years old, Bharat is a country with an amazing wealth of diversity. Bharat stretches from the eternal snows of the Himalayas in the north to the peninsulas of the South from the arid desert of the west the humid deltas to the east from the dry heat and cold of the central plateau to the cool forest foothills and the golden beaches. Thus, it offers an incredible choice of destinations for a visiting tourist and enjoy

Physical Features of Bharat:- Bharat is marked by a diversity of physical features. It has many mountains, plains, plateaus, coasts and islands. In the north, it has a

beautiful Kashmir, which has the snow-capped Himalayas. It is a famous tourist place, and popular hill stations are situated here.

The Northern planes lie to the south of the Himalayas, which are flat. These are formed by the alluvial deposit laid down by the Indus, the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers and the tributaries. These plains are fertile areas and are best for cultivation. Due to this reason, the population of this area is denser.

In the western part of Bharat lies the great desert. This place is hot, dry and sandy stretch of land. It has very little vegetation. To the west of the Western Ghats and to the east of the Eastern Ghats lies the coastal plains. River Mahandi, Godavari Krishna and Kaveri drain into the Bay of Bengal. Two groups of islands also form part of Bharat. Lakshadweep islands are located in the Arabian Sea.

These are coral islands located at the cost of Kerala. The Andaman and the Nicobar Islands lie to the east of the Bharat mainland in the Bay of Bengal.

Bharat as a Country:

Bharat is the seventh-largest country by geographical area and is located in South Asia. The beauty surrounds a country from each and every aspect. Bharat is also known by two other names India and Hindustan and the people of Bharat are known as Indians. The National anthem of our country is" Jan gan Man" and the national song of a country is "Sare Jahan se Achcha".

Bharat is a democratic country where people themselves choose the leaders and live with freedom ie they can do anything the wish to within the limits of the law. If any citizen of Bharat tries to harm any other person, there are also rules and regulations to punish him in order to make him realize his mistake.

The country is also incredible because of its beautiful mountains, lakes, forests, seas, oceans etc many foreigners each year visit Bharat to see the beauty of a country that is rich in historical temples, it's traditions, it's language, it's heritage, etc.

Festivals:

Bharat being a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious society, celebrates holidays and festivals of the various regions. Major festivals include the Diwali, Durga Puja, Holi, Ganesh puja, Navratri Ratha Yatra etc are there on the year.

Bharat is a land of various religions and cultures, which teach us to live in harmony with everyone. Every festival celebrates brotherhood. Every religion has its own culture and religious beliefs. Celebrating festivals together with family and friends is a moment of joy and happiness. We forget the enmity and hatred and only remember the love and respect we have to each other. National festivals are celebrated among the people of the country, irrespective of any social denomination. The festival is celebrated to pay tribute to the heroes of the country and to remind us of the rich and exceptional history of our country.

Monuments of Bharat:

Bharat is a country rich in history and culture. This is reflected in the numerous monuments found across the nation. These monuments are a testament to Bharat's glorious past.

The Taj Mahal, located in Agra is one of the Bharat's most famous monuments. It's an ivory-white marble mausoleum built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife.

In Delhi, Qutub Minar stands tall. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the world's tallest brick minaret, showcasing the architectural brilliants of the Mughal Era.

Red fort is located in old Delhi. Built-in the mid-17th century by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, the Red Fort is a sprawling complex that features a number of buildings and gardens. It was the main residence of the Mughal emperors for nearly 200 years and served as the centre of the Mughal Empire until it was captured by the British in 1857.

Golden temple. The holiest shrine and pilgrims' place located in Amritsar is the golden temple known as the Haramandir Sahib. This is the most famous and sacred sikh gurudwar in Punjab, India adorned with rich history and good-glided exterior.

Monuments and National Identity:

Monuments also contribute to the formation of national identity. They remind us of historical events, instilling a sense of pride and unity. The India Gate, a war memorable in Delhi, is one such monument that evokes nationalistic sentiments.

Monuments of Bharat are more than just architectural structures, they are tangible links to the country's rich past, reflecting the diverse cultures, traditions, and historical events that have shaped the nation's identity.

Food:

Bharatiyas food is a compilation of cuisine that has so many ingredients. It is as diverse as India. Indian recipes use numerous ingredients and deploy a wide range of food preparation Styles, cooking techniques, and culinary presentation. The taste of the same food like salad, sauces vegetables, meat, and deserts vary from region to region.

Epics of Bharat Culture:

The Mahabharata, Ramayana, Raghuvamsa, Budhacharita, Shishupala, Vadha, Kiratarjuniya, Manimekalai, Silappadikaram, Kumarasambava and Ramcharitmanas are among the ten most famous epics. All of them have stories that have a very calming effect on life.

Epics teaches us why we should pursue the duties assigned to us. It tells us what wrong can happen when we speak a lie or when we commit a sin. It shows how people can betray their own family members to fulfil their selfish desires. There are many lessons which we can learn from these epics.

Beauty of Bharat:

Bharat is also a land of diverse climatic conditions. The four seasons of Summer, autumn, winter and spring prevail throughout the year and in most parts of the country. Places like Cherrapunji and Mawsynram receive maximum rainfall throughout the year. Then we have the Himalayan region in the north of the country, which serves as a border as well as a natural barrier to the bitterly cold Siberian winds. The coastal areas like Mumbai, Daman and Diu and Kolkata have tropical warm climates throughout.

The Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the west, and the Bay of Bengal on the east bound mainland of India. The country is bordered by Pakistan to the west, Bhutan, the people's Republic of China and Nepal to the north, and Bangladesh and Burma to the East.

Besides all the variation, all Indians sing the same National anthem, rejoicing together when the country wins a cricket match. Even the history of Independence has proved that people of all different cultures and religions participated in the country's freedom struggle.

Conclusion:

We are proud of our cultural distinctiveness. We are proud to be the inhabitants of India. It is our duty to maintain its unique features. We have to think beyond the pretty interests and work for the broader goals of bringing prosperity and progress in society.

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