28 states and 7 union territories 15 August 1947 (from UK) 18 years of age; universal elections: president elected by an electoral college consisting of elected members of both houses of Parliament and the legislatures of the states for a 5-year term Largest Democracy in the World! Population: 1.1 billion

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi ( ) AKA “Mahatma” which means “Great Soul” Refused to be treated as an inferior and began a movement of nonviolent resistance in India which led to the independence from UK. Inspired MLK, JR. and Nelson Mandela Gandhi

Quotes We must become the change we want to see. An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind. A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the souls of its people The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems. Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes. Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. Woman is the companion of man, gifted with equal mental capacities. She has the right to participate in the minutest details in the activities of man, and she has an equal right of freedom and liberty with him.

Aum The most sacred symbol in Hinduism Aum symbolizes the infinite, the universe, and Brahman (GOD)

Yoga Types of Yoga Jnana Yoga- yoga of wisdom and develops the intellect Bhakti yoga- yoga of devotion and the opening of the heart Karma yoga- yoga of service Mantra yoga- yoga of Vedic chanting Swara yoga- yoga of breathing Raja yoga- yoga of meditation Hatha yoga- the yoga of movement

Mendhi- traditional art of adorning the hands and feet with a paste made from the henna plant. Indian mendhi uses fine lines, lacy, floral, and paisley patterns. It is used in ceremonies- engagements, weddings, births, religious holidays, and national holidays. Wedding mendhi developed as a substitute for jewelry for the poor. Traditionally: the darker the design, the more the mother-in-law loves the bride; a deep colored designed is good luck for the couple; the names of the bride and groom are hidden in the design and wedding night cannot begin until the groom has found the names; the bride is not expected to perform housework until the mendhi has faded. Mendhi

Decoration worn by women and girls to represent the “third eye.”

Hawa Mahal The Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds in Jaipur was built in 1799 and built by a regional monarch. Originally built to allow the ladies of the royal household to watch everyday city life

Saris- traditional dress of women made of 6 yards of fabric. The “best” saris are silk and come from Varansi.

Movies are three to four hours long musicals about a “boy meets girl” story (without any kissing or sexual contact), lots of action (though no bloodshed), and always - a happy ending. 14 million Indians go to the movies daily and pay the equivalent to the average Indian's day's wages (US $1-3) Over 800 films are churned out by Bollywood each year. 2 times more than the US. Only Titanic has ever made India's top five list.