Hamara Bharat — Incredible India!
Bharat has been known
worldwide as a land of wise
and heroic individuals. Its
rich and diverse culture has
attracted numerous travellers
since ancient times. The
people here live in unison,
presenting to the world unity
in diversity. Bharat is a land
rich with rivers, lakes, and
high mountains. Its green
forests are home to many
plants, insects, birds, and
animals. All these elements
ensure that Bharat prospers
and is respected globally. As
its inhabitants, we need to
continue working hard and
make sure that it prospers.
“So, are you ready to meet your friends from all over the country?”
the teacher asked the students sitting in the big hall.
“Yes!” was the loud answer from the class.
“Can someone tell me for which programme are we here?”
the teacher asked.
“Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat”, the students answered together
again.
“Please raise your hand to tell me what it is all about,” the
teacher said.
Many hands went up and some were jumping to answer. The
teacher asked Renu. With a smile on her face, she said, “It is to
know that we all belong to one nation and that is the bond we
share. And our unity in diversity makes us the most wonderful
country in the world.”
The teacher smiled at her as everyone clapped. Just then, Bala
pointed out, “Look! The video has started!” The big screen now
had little windows each with a smiling child. Each child had
something to share.
Pranam!
am
Aakansha
from
Uttarakhand. I am
going
to
tell
you
about Aipan, our folk
art, that we draw on
family functions and
festivals. It is done
with white rice flour
paste
on
brick-red
walls coloured with geru. It is made on floors
and walls of puja rooms, and outside the main
door of the home. It is an art form made by
the women in the family. The designs are very
beautiful and mathematical, and are based on
our cultural traditions, and observations of
nature.
Suprabhat!
am
Priyaranjan from Odisha.
My tribe practises a
4000-year-old metal craft
named Dhokra. To begin,
we make a figure with
clay, dry it, and cover
it with a layer of wax.
Then, we carve the fine
details on the wax. After that, we cover the figure
with clay, and put it in the fire. The wax melts and
comes out of small openings. Next, brass scrap
is melted and poured into the empty space. The
liquid metal takes the same shape as the wax.
geru: red clay
used as colour
scrap: small
unwanted pieces
carve: to make
design with
sharp tool
Aipan—Folk art
Dhokra
Finally, we remove the outer layer of clay and
finish the metal figure as we want.
Suprabhaatam!
am
Chitra from Kerala. I want
to tell you about coconut
shell craft. First, we clean
the outside and inside of a
brown coconut shell. After
that, we make it smooth by using sandpaper or
a machine. Then we give it the shape we want,
and make it stable by fixing a base under it.
At last, we polish it using wood polish to make
it shine. We make household things like bowls
and even jewellery from the coconut shells. It
is a biodegradable craft.
Subhodayam!
am
Balamurali
from
Andhra
Pradesh.
want to tell you about
the 400-year-old art
of making toys in my
village,
Kondapalli.
To make the toys, we
take soft wood from
the nearby hills. After
that, we carve each part of the toy separately.
Then, we use makku—a paste of tamarind
seed powder and sawdust to join the pieces
together. Next, we add details and finish the
toys. Finally, we use oil and water-colours or
vegetable dyes and enamel paints to colour
them. These toys are based on folk stories,
animals, birds, bullock carts, rural life, etc.
tamarind: an
edible sour fruit
stable: not able
to move
biodegradable:
something that
will not harm the
environment
sawdust: dust of
wood
dyes: colours
enamel: paints
that form a
protective layer
Coconut shell craft
Kondapalli
The Kites
Up in the air
See the kites fly,
Like coloured birds
In the wind-whipped sky.
I wish I were small
And light as air,
I would climb on a kite
And sail up there.
Then I would drift upon
The paper wings,
And hear the songs
That the wild wind sings.
What fun it would be
To look right down,
Over the park
And the rooftops of town.
The people below
Would stand and stare,
And wish they were me
High, high in the air.
Daphne Lister
Ila Sachani: Embroidering Dreams with her Feet
1. When you enter a tiny room in Moti Vavdi village, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, you will see lots of bright colours. There are many lovely things like cushions, bedcovers, pillows, and more, with beautiful designs. Ila Sachani, a wonderful lady with a big smile, makes all these using a shiny needle to create these designs. She is very good at Kathiawar embroidery—a style that needs a lot of skill. 2. Ila Sachani’s journey began in the quiet settings of Amreli, Gujarat, where she was born into a farmer’s family. From the beginning, life presented its challenges, as Ila was born with her hands hanging loose by her sides. Unlike other children, she could not use her hands in the usual way. While other small hands drew figures in the sand or plucked wild flowers, she wondered why she could not join them. She too wanted to hold a chalk in her hands and draw figures on a slate. 3. Ila’s mother and grandmother encouraged the little girl and were single-minded to help her overcome her challenge. They were skilled in the traditional art of Kathiawar embroidery and decided to share this art with Ila. They taught her to create many
challenges:
difÏculties
single-minded:
focused
Ila Sachani beautiful patterns using her feet! It was certainly not an easy task, but Ila accepted the challenge with determination. Her parents also helped her learn to do things with her legs, like eating and combing her hair. 4. Threading a needle was hard, but Ila did not give up and became an expert at a young age. Her younger brother and sister helped her too. She learned many styles, even ones from outside Gujarat—Kachhi, Kashmiri, Lucknawi and others. 5. For Ila, embroidery became a way to express herself. At first, she crafted fine designs only for her family and friends, who were awestruck by her talent. They talked about those designs to others. Soon, the people in the village, too, discovered Ila’s special skill and the admiration for her work began to spread. 6. Word reached the government ofÏce in Surat. They were moved by Ila’s story and impressed by her work. They decided to display some samples of her embroidery at a state exhibition. This experience opened new doors for Ila. People observed the beauty woven by her feet and readily purchased the creations. Ila was no more a hidden talent, but famous!
awestruck:
amazed
determination:
will power 7. Encouraged
by
this
popularity,
Ila participated in more exhibitions, not just within the state but at the national level. She received many awards and honours, not just for her art but also the willpower and creativity that her work showed. Ila Sachani, once a farmer’s daughter facing a tough challenge, worked hard and became a celebrated artist and receiver of the President’s Medal. 8. The most important change for Ila was the new independence. Through her skill, she not only earned a regular income but also found joy in doing what she loved. She proved, through her creations, that challenges can be turned into victories with focus, hard work, positivity and never giving up. 9. Her embroidery, created with her feet, reminds us that art has the power to rise above physical boundaries and touch the soul.
popularity:
fame
Kachhi embroidery
National War Memorial
In Bharat’s heartland, a grand sight to behold,
The National War Memorial, honours brave stories retold.
With respect and grace, it stands with pride,
Each name etched, each stone, each story to confide.
From battle fields to skies, and to oceans wide,
They stand for Bharat, side by side.
The eternal flame, in silence it glows,
Paying homage to their courage that shows.
Their sacrifice, always in our mind,
In blessed memory, forever remind.
With pride and respect, let’s always remember,
At the National War Memorial, their sacrifice forever.
National War Memorial
Amar Jawan Jyoti