INDIAN TRADITION AND CULTURE Child Guidance Centre Hyderabad, 2010

A NAMASTE TO ALL! Namaḥ, to bow Namaḥ, to bowbow te, "to you." te, "to you." namo: stu te namo: stu te "let there be a salutation to you” "let there be a salutation to you”

GARLANDING There are basically two reasons behind the garlanding tradition of India. Firstly, it showcases one's happiness at receiving the particular guest and secondly, it is a form of publicly acknowledging the guest's importance.

The National Flag The flag's saffron color symbolizes courage and sacrifice The flag's saffron color symbolizes courage and sacrifice white stands for peace and truth, white stands for peace and truth, and green is for faith and chivalry, and green is for faith and chivalry, blue represents the color of the sky and the ocean. blue represents the color of the sky and the ocean. The 24 spokes of the wheel (Ashoka Chakra), correspond with the 24 hours of the day, implying that there is life in movement and death in stagnation. The 24 spokes of the wheel (Ashoka Chakra), correspond with the 24 hours of the day, implying that there is life in movement and death in stagnation.

There are 28 states and 7 Union Territories in India

Total population: 1.06 billion people Total population: 1.06 billion people 72% in Rural areas 72% in Rural areas Religion: Hindu 81.3%, Muslim 12%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other groups including Buddhist, Jain, Parsi 2.5% ( AC TO 2000 ss report) Religion: Hindu 81.3%, Muslim 12%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other groups including Buddhist, Jain, Parsi 2.5% ( AC TO 2000 ss report) 41.6% of the total Indian population in India are Below Poverty Line. 41.6% of the total Indian population in India are Below Poverty Line. 75% of the poor are in rural areas, most of them are daily wagers, self- employed householders, and landless labourers. 75% of the poor are in rural areas, most of them are daily wagers, self- employed householders, and landless labourers.

1,652 mother tongues (languages) in India. National Language is Hindi 1,652 mother tongues (languages) in India. National Language is Hindi Official languages are English and Hindi Official languages are English and Hindi There are four Major Castes in India the Brahmins (teachers, scholars and priests), the Kshatriyas (kings, warriors and administrators), the Shudras (service providers, laborers) and Vyshyas (agriculturists and traders) which have evolved to 1000 more castes and sub castes. There are four Major Castes in India the Brahmins (teachers, scholars and priests), the Kshatriyas (kings, warriors and administrators), the Shudras (service providers, laborers) and Vyshyas (agriculturists and traders) which have evolved to 1000 more castes and sub castes.

The National Tree Indian fig tree, whose branches root themselves like new trees over a large area. Indian fig tree, whose branches root themselves like new trees over a large area. The roots then give rise to more trunks and branches. The roots then give rise to more trunks and branches. This tree is considered immortal and is an integral part of the myths and legends of India. This tree is considered immortal and is an integral part of the myths and legends of India. Even today, the banyan tree is the focal point of village life and the village council meets under the shade of this tree. Even today, the banyan tree is the focal point of village life and the village council meets under the shade of this tree.

The National Flower It is a sacred flower and occupies a unique position in the art and mythology of ancient India and has been an auspicious symbol of Indian culture since time immemorial. It is a sacred flower and occupies a unique position in the art and mythology of ancient India and has been an auspicious symbol of Indian culture since time immemorial.

The National Animal-Tiger

The National Bird

The National Fruit

Dining Etiquette Indian cuisine relishes in its flavors and spices. Indian cuisine relishes in its flavors and spices. Much Indian food is eaten with the fingers. Much Indian food is eaten with the fingers. The guest of honour is served first, followed by the men, and the children are served last. The guest of honour is served first, followed by the men, and the children are served last. Women typically serve the men and eat later. Women typically serve the men and eat later. You may be asked to wash your hands before and after sitting down to a meal. You may be asked to wash your hands before and after sitting down to a meal. Always use your right hand to eat, whether you are using utensils or your fingers. Always use your right hand to eat, whether you are using utensils or your fingers. Take off your shoes before entering the house. Take off your shoes before entering the house.

Indian Attires

Ethnic Wear

Wedding Attires

Indian tradition The uniqueness of Indian culture lies in its strong social system and family values. The uniqueness of Indian culture lies in its strong social system and family values. The elders are considered the driving force and so are respected and loved. The elders are considered the driving force and so are respected and loved. The guests are considered as gods and are treated with respect and love, even if by foregoing some of the personal pleasures. The guests are considered as gods and are treated with respect and love, even if by foregoing some of the personal pleasures.

TOUCHING FEET TOUCHING FEET

Name Protocol Younger never uses the proper name of their elders. (eg: Anna, Akka etc.) Younger never uses the proper name of their elders. (eg: Anna, Akka etc.) Only people of the same age will address each other by first name. Only people of the same age will address each other by first name. A Hindu wife never speaks the name of her husband. A Hindu wife never speaks the name of her husband. CAUTION WITH FOOTWEAR: It is very important to apologize immediately if one touches someone with his or her shoe or sandal CAUTION WITH FOOTWEAR: It is very important to apologize immediately if one touches someone with his or her shoe or sandal

DISPLAYING AFFECTION: Married Hindu couples do not hug, hold hands or kiss in public. Even embracing at airports and train stations is considered not wise. Men, however, frequently walk hand in hand. DISPLAYING AFFECTION: Married Hindu couples do not hug, hold hands or kiss in public. Even embracing at airports and train stations is considered not wise. Men, however, frequently walk hand in hand. MODESTY: Interaction in public between men and women is much more restrained in Hindu culture than in Western culture. In Hindu culture, for the most part, men socialize with men, and women with women. Men never touch women in public unless the lady is very elderly or infirm. MODESTY: Interaction in public between men and women is much more restrained in Hindu culture than in Western culture. In Hindu culture, for the most part, men socialize with men, and women with women. Men never touch women in public unless the lady is very elderly or infirm.

WOMANLY RESERVE: In mixed company especially in the presence of strangers, a Hindu woman will keep modestly in the background and not participate freely in conversation. This, of course, does not apply to situations among family and close associates. WOMANLY RESERVE: In mixed company especially in the presence of strangers, a Hindu woman will keep modestly in the background and not participate freely in conversation. This, of course, does not apply to situations among family and close associates. SERVING AT MEALS: At meals women follow the custom of serving the men first before enjoying their own meal. SERVING AT MEALS: At meals women follow the custom of serving the men first before enjoying their own meal.

CHAPERONING: It is customary for a woman to always be accompanied when she leaves the home. Living alone, too, is unusual. CHAPERONING: It is customary for a woman to always be accompanied when she leaves the home. Living alone, too, is unusual. WOMEN IN PUBLIC: Generally it is improper for women to speak with strangers on the street and especially to strike up a casual conversation. WOMEN IN PUBLIC: Generally it is improper for women to speak with strangers on the street and especially to strike up a casual conversation. HOME VISITS: Close friends can visit one another anytime without being announced or making arrangements first. When they drop in, at least a refreshing drink is always served. HOME VISITS: Close friends can visit one another anytime without being announced or making arrangements first. When they drop in, at least a refreshing drink is always served. WIFE HOME ALONE: If the lady of the house is in home alone and a male visitor comes to see her husband, it is not proper for her to invite him in, nor for him to expect to enter. Rather, he will leave a message and depart. WIFE HOME ALONE: If the lady of the house is in home alone and a male visitor comes to see her husband, it is not proper for her to invite him in, nor for him to expect to enter. Rather, he will leave a message and depart.

Family Systems in India Bondage of love and affection is abundantly found in Indian family system. Bondage of love and affection is abundantly found in Indian family system. Parents do not let their child to live independent life until they get a marriage match. Parents do not let their child to live independent life until they get a marriage match. Culture and tradition of India does not support love-marriages and the divorce between a husband and a wife. Culture and tradition of India does not support love-marriages and the divorce between a husband and a wife.

The Dowry System The Dowry System Class (Upper, Middle, Low) Class (Upper, Middle, Low) Purdah system Purdah system Tribes Tribes Transport(Bullock, Tonga etc) Transport(Bullock, Tonga etc)

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