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Etymology
The name India is derived from Greek Indos, which is derived from the Old Persian word Hindu, the historic local appellation for the region of Indus. The origin of Hindu lies in the Sanskrit term Sindhu, meaning "river" or more specifically "the Indus river"; mentioned several times the Rigveda, the oldest of Hindu
Demographic
Population of 1.12 billion India is the world's second most populous country
and the world's largest democracy.
Government today
The constitution of India, the longest and most exhaustive constitution of any independent nation in the world, came into force on January 26, 1950 The preamble of the constitution defines India as a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic It has three branches of governance: the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary The President of India is the official head of state elected indirectly by an electoral college for a five-year term The Prime Minister is, however, the de facto head of government and exercises most executive powers
The Prime Minister is appointed by the President and, by convention, is the candidate supported by the party or political alliance holding the majority of seats in the lower house of Parliament The legislature of India is the bicameral Parliament, which consists of the upper house called the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the lower house called the Lok Sabha (House of People). The executive branch consists of the President, Vice-President, and the Council of Ministers (the Cabinet being its executive committee) headed by the Prime Minister India has a unitary three-tier judiciary, consisting of the Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice of India, twentyone High Courts, and a large number of trial courts
Economy Today
The Bombay Stock Exchange, in Mumbai, is Asia's oldest and India's largest stock exchange India has the world's second largest labour force, with 509.3 million people, 60% of whom are employed in agriculture and related industries; 28% in services and related industries; and 12% in industry.
Major agricultural crops include rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, and potatoes. Major industries include automobiles, cement, chemicals, consumer electronics, food processing, machinery, mining, petroleum, pharmaceuticals, steel, transportation equipment, and textiles. Despite significant economic progress, a quarter of the nation's population earns less than the government-specified poverty threshold of $0.40 per day.
Indian lawmakers have selected the nation's first female president in a vote seen as a symbolic victory for women contending with widespread discrimination last 2007. Pratibha Patil, the 72-year-old candidate of the governing Congress party and its political allies, took nearly two-thirds of the vote for the largely ceremonial post.
*National Symbols*
The National Symbol of India comes from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Emperor Ashoka. Ashoka ruled the land from 272 BCE to 232 BCE. The original sculpture shows four lions on a pillar with an elephant, horse, bull, and lion separated by a lotus on the base. A Dharma Chakra (wheel of law) is also carved into the stone.
The National Bird is the Indian peacock (Pavo cristatus). Peacocks symbolize grace, pride, and beauty. They are a sign of joy for all who see them. Peacocks are often used in Indian mythology and folk stories
The National Animal is the tiger, officially known as Panthera tigris. It is respected in India for its strength and grace, as well as its incredible power. The Indian tiger is also called the Royal Bengal Tiger.
national fruit. It has been cultivated in India since time immemorial. There are over 100 varieties of mangos in India, in a range of colors, sizes, and shapes
History and Significance of Bindi "A woman's beauty is multiplied 1,000 times when she wears a bindi" -Hindu Proverb
Pronounced Bin Dee, the word bindi is derived from the Sanskrit word bindu, which means "drop". There are two common meanings of bindi throughout India. The first is tied to Hindu religion and the second is social symbol. many believe it is suppose to be representative of the mystic third eye and become the central point of the base of creation Therefore, the traditional red dot (often made with tikka powder or vermillion) can be seen on men and women alike Red was chosen because that color was suppose to bring good fortune into the home of the bride. The red mark made the bride the preserver of the family's honor and welfare. Over time, they also became a fashion accessory and changed in shape and colors. Bindis are fast becoming the accessory of choice for their sensual charm and sparkle.
Shah jahan was the fifth Mughal emperor and most prolific builder in Indian history. Shahjahan ascended to the throne when Mughal Empire had reached its zenith. Son of Jahangir and grandson of Akbar.
the daughter of Asaf Khan. Exquisitely pretty she stole the heart of Emperor Shahjahan. Shahjahan was besotted with her beauty and asked for her hand in marriage.
Humayun's son, Akbar the Great, is conventionally described as the glory of the empire. Akbar reigned from 1556 to 1605, and extended his empire as far to the west as Afghanistan, and as far south as the Godavari river.
Mahatma Gandhi Mahatma Gandhi : Father of the Nation Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in the town of Porbander in the state of Gujarat on 2 October 1869. He studied law at University College, London. In 1891, after having been admitted to the British bar, Gandhi returned to India and attempted to establish a law practice in Bombay, with little success.
Mother Teresa Mother Teresa : Angel of Mercy Universal prayer : Father of all In all clime adored By saint, by savage and by sage Jehovah, Jove, or Lord! From 1931 to 1948 Mother Teresa taught at St. Mary's High School in Calcutta, but the suffering and poverty she glimpsed outside the convent walls and devote herself to working among the poorest of the poor in the slums of Calcutta.
Poori -Very light puffed bread, slightly crisp and flaky, always a
source of delight as it comes to the table in its characteristic balloon shape
Rajma
Dried kidney beans: Red chilli powder: Turmeric powder: Ghe Coriander seeds:Cumin seeds: Fennel seeds:Chopped ginger:Garam masala:Tomatoes (chopped):Fresh coriander (choppedRajma Chawal
Rajma Chawal is a meal in itself, capturing the nutrition and taste of authentic Indian cuisine.
Festivals
Lohri is a popular festival of North India and is mainly celebrated in the states of Punjab, Haryana, parts of Himanchal Pradesh and Delhi. The festival is celebrated on the 13th day in the month of January and marks the end of the cold winter months. Lohri is particularly a happy occasion for farmers. For them it is the time to relax after days of toil of cutting and gathering grains and other food crops
Sweets, eggs, and money are woven into to wedding themes of India. They symbolize, respectively, a sweet life, fertility, and prosperity. The Hindu wedding ceremony includes customary rituals to ward off evil spirits.
RELIGIONS IN INDIA
India known as the land of spirituality and philosophy, was the birthplace of some religions, which even exist today in the world. The most dominant religion in India today is Hinduism. About 80% of Indians are Hindus. Hinduism is a colorful religion with a vast gallery of Gods and Goddesses. Hinduism is one of the ancient religions in the world. These three ancient religions, Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, are seen as the molders of the India philosophy. In 'modern' period new religions were also established in India.
Taj Mahal
Location: Taj Mahal is located in the city of Agra, one of the most powerful cities in the medieval world. An immense mausoleum of white marble, built in Agra between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, Arjumand Banu/ mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal means "Crown Palace" and is in fact the most well preserved and architecturally beautiful tomb in the world.
Ganges River
The Ganges has been a symbol of India's age-long culture and civilization, ever changing, ever flowing, and yet ever the same Ganga. The river has its source in the Himalayas, at Gaumakh in the southern Himalayas on the Indian side of the Tibetan border. Religious Significance: Hindus regard the Ganges as the holiest of rivers. It was named after the goddess Ganga, the daughter of the mountain god Himalaya