Let Us Know Our Country India: For Grade 3 Students
India is a land of wonders and surprises. It is a country where people of many different religions, languages, and cultures live together. India is one of the oldest civilizations in the world, with a rich history and a bright future. From the majestic Himalayas in the north to the vast Indian Ocean in the south, from the Thar Desert in the west to the green forests in the east, India’s geography and culture are as diverse as its people.
This lesson will help us learn more about India, its national symbols, diversity, festivals, food, and why it is such a special place in the world.
Geographical Features of India
India is a big country with many kinds of landforms. Let us explore some of its geographical features:
Mountains:
The Himalayas in the north are the tallest mountain range in the world. They protect India from cold winds and are the source of rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra.
Rivers:
Rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, and Kaveri flow through India, providing water for drinking, farming, and electricity generation.
Deserts:
The Thar Desert in Rajasthan is a hot and sandy region. People here use camels for transportation.
Forests:
India has dense forests in the north-east and central parts. They are also home to leopards, tigers and elephants.
Seas and Oceans:
On one side, it is bounded by the Arabian Sea, to the east by the Bay of Bengal and further south by the Indian Ocean, all of which have the potential for trade routes and ocean fare.
National Symbols of India
There are a lot of symbols that showcase India as a country. Here are some:
National Flag (Tiranga):
It carried three colors, saffron (for courage), white (for peace) & green (for growth). The centre disc of Ashoka Chakra is a symbol of progress.
National Animal (Tiger):
Tiger – This is one of the best symbols related to Power & Conquer. Also known as the “King of the Jungle.”
National Bird (Peacock):
The Indian peafowl is a magnificent bird with multicolored feathers. You are a wise creature, an otherworldly herald.
National Flower (Lotus):
Lotus stem grows from dirty water, thus represents purity & strength.
National Anthem:
Our national anthem, “Jana Gana Mana,” by Rabindranath Tagore. Our hearts brim with pride.
Diversity in India
There are many forms of people, languages, festivals & culture, thereby all together India is called the Land of Diversity.
Languages:
India recognizes 22 official languages, running from Hindi, Bengali & Tamil to Telugu and Punjabi. In total, people speak over 1,600 different regional languages!
Religions:
Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, & Jainism are among the many religions that originated in or were brought to India. All religions ultimately teach kindness toward others, respect for others.
Festivals:
Diwali is the festival of lights, celebrated with diyas & crackers.
Eid is celebrated with prayers & feasts.
In Christianity, Jesus Christ is God; the birthday of Jesus Christ is Christmas; Christmas needs cakes & lights.
Tamils celebrate Pongal, where farmers offer gratitude to Nature for a good harvest.
Clothing:
Women in India mostly wear sarees, salwar kameez, & lehengas.
Males don dhotis, kurtas & sherwanis.
The region you represent will carry your own way of dressing.
Food:
Northern India is all about roti & parathas and butter chicken.
Dosa, idli, sambhar are the popular ones in South India.
In East India, rice with fish curry is the norm.
Others, the favoured ones are: dhokla, thepla & pav bhaji in the West India.
Real-Life Examples
A Family Trip:
Riya’s family then went to Kerala, where they stayed on a houseboat, drank coconut water & watched a Kathakali dance performance.
Friends from Different States:
Arjun has friends from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu & Punjab. They celebrate each other’s festivals - Ganesh Chaturthi, Pongal, Lohri together.
Food Festival at School:
There was a food festival at Arya’s school. Students brought food from various states. Arya ate Hyderabad biryani, Gujarat dhokla & Kerala appam.
Learning New Words:
Sneha said namaskara, learning to say “hello” in Kannada when she visited her grandparents in Karnataka.
Fun Facts About India
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The game of chess started in India & was known as Chaturanga.
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Aryabhata, an ancient mathematician discovered the Zero in India.
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The world’s largest postal network exists in India, including a post office in a floating boat in Kashmir!
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India's National Flag was hoisted the first time on August 15, 1947, when it got independence.
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Karnataka's Bandipur National Park is among the finest places for a wild tiger & elephant sighting.
Why Should We Learn About India?
Learning about India helps us:
- Get to know its culture & history.
- Much to love about the diversity of its people, faiths, traditions.
- Train respect for the environment: Rivers, forests, animals.
- Be proud of being part of a nation with so many achievements.
Activities for Students
Draw and Color the National Symbols:
Make drawings of the tiger, peacock, lotus, & the Indian flag & color them.
Storytelling About India’s Festivals:
Share a story or memory about how you celebrate Diwali, Holi, Eid, or Christmas with your family.
Learn a Song:
Singing of “Jana Gana Mana” and/or another song of patriotism like “Saare Jahaan Se Achha.”
Make a Mini-Map:
Try to memorize geography of India by drawing its map and writing rivers, mountains & cities on the map.
Language Fun:
Learn how to greet in three different languages in India from “Namaste” (Hindi) to “Vanakkam” (Tamil) & the “Sat Sri Akal” (Punjabi).
Conclusion
India is not only a kingdom but a gorgeous combination of history, cultures, & diversity. It reminds us to live in unity & embrace our differences. So, as young Indians let us learn to see something unique in our country and enjoy the accomplishments of the past & present.
Pledge to honour each other & together make India even better!
FAQs
Q: How will you introduce your country India?
A: India is a land of diversity and beauty with a rich culture, history, and tradition.
Q: What is your knowledge of India as a country?
A: India is the seventh-largest country in the world and the second-most populous.
Q:What is the slogan of our country India?
A: The national slogan is Satyameva Jayate, which means "Truth Alone Triumphs."
Q:Why is India famous?
A: India is famous for its festivals, spices, the monuments like Taj Mahal, and cultural diversity.