By Syeda Khatija.

Khatija enjoys studying the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care at BCCI. Here she writes about her home country, India, so that we may learn more about her culture and our students' heritage.

India is the seventh-largest country by area and the second-most populous country in the world, situated in Asia. India got independence on 15th August 1947. Now there are 29 states and 7 union territories in India and it shares land with Nepal, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China and Myanmar. The national flag of India is horizontal in shape, and it is tricoloured, with a deep saffron colour at the top, white in the middle and a hard green colour at the bottom. An Asoka chakra is situated in the middle of the white.

India is a very beautiful country. It extends from Kashmir in the north to Kanyakumari in the south. India is a peninsula island as it is surrounded by water from three sides. It is a land of great patriots who fought for our motherland and gave us freedom. India is also called Bharat and Hindustan.

The national animal of India is the tiger and the national bird is the peacock. Our national flower is the lotus and the national fruit is mango. India's climate is of different types in different regions. The northern part of our country is cold and the southern part is hot. We get most of the rain in summer.

It is a land full of diversity. People of different states speak different languages, wear different clothes and eat different varieties of food. Many festivals are celebrated in our country with great enthusiasm and joy. India has many deities and great people. People respect each others' values and traditions. All regions coexist in our society. People are bound by love for their motherland.

India is a country rich in culture and heritage. It is also known for its monuments and relics, and is the home of the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. I love my country!