INDIA

The subcontinent of India lies in south Asia, between Pakistan, China and Nepal. To the north it is bordered by the world's highest mountain chain, where foothill valleys cover the northernmost of the country's 26 states. Further south, plateaus, tropical rain forests and sandy deserts are bordered by palm fringed beaches .

Climate in India Climate is hot or warm all year due to Himalayan Mountains keep out cold winds from the north. Monsoons – seasons winds that blow from the same direction for months and influence the climate. During the rainy season (June – September), moist air from the Indian Ocean comes in heavily.

5,000 year old civilization 325 languages spoken – 1,652 dialects 18 official languages 29 states, 5 territories 1,155,347,678 people in 2009

Parliamentary form of Government Secular democratic constitution World’s largest democracy 4th largest economy Fastest growing economic super power

Current Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh ਮਨਮੋਹਨ ਸਿੰਘ

Green Revolution India raises most of the food it needs today. Bengal Famine – in 1943, 4 million died of starvation The Green Revolution is a result of that loss. Farmers planted more than 1 crop per year. Government built dams to collect & store water and then irrigate it and farmers then planted 2x per year.

Ganges River The Ganges River is one of the most polluted rivers in the world due to industrial waste, pesticides, and chemicals used to destroy insects as well as the funeral rites of the dead. It is also considered the most holy and a form of the Goddess, Herself as life giver and sin cleanser.

HISTORY

India's history goes back to 3,200 BC when Hinduism was first founded. Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism. Judaism. Zoroashtrianism, Christianity and Islam all exist within the country today.

THE TRINITY Generates-Brahma Observes-Vishnu Destroys-Shiva

Longest Epic in world literature with 100,000 two-line stanzas The Great Indian Epics Mahabharata Ramayana Longest Epic in world literature with 100,000 two-line stanzas The first Indian epic

Indus Valley Civilization- one of the world’s first great urban civilizations. Harappa Civilization- 2700 BC

World’s first university in Takshila –700 B.C Ayurveda- earliest school of medicine known to humans Sanskrit Language – most suitable for computer programming

Yoga- Made in India Origin –5000 BC Documented by 200 BC – 300 AD

Origin of Martial arts – 200 BC Kalarippayat

1700’s BRITISH INVASION

15th August , 1947 Indian Independence 26th January , 1950 Republic- India

“Truth alone triumphs” National Emblem “Truth alone triumphs”

National Bird - Peacock NATIONAL ANIMAL National Bird - Peacock

National Flower - Lotus

Amazing Indians

Aryabhatta Invented the Zero

Embodiment of Non- Violence Mahatma Gandhi Father of the nation Embodiment of Non- Violence

Indra Ghandi was the 3rd Prime Minister of the Republic of India for three consecutive terms from 1966 to 1977 and for a fourth term from 1980 until her assassination in 1984, a total of fifteen years. India's only female prime minister to date, she is the world's longest serving female Prime Minister. She was not related to Mohandas Ghandi.

Mother Teresa 1979 – Nobel Prize in Peace

7 Classical Dance forms Bharata Natyam Odissi Mohini Attam Kathak Kuchipudi Kathakali Manipuri

More than 60 music instruments More than 15 vocal forms More than 60 music instruments

primary: Hinduism & Buddhism Large Hindu Festival: Diwali India’s Religions – primary: Hinduism & Buddhism Large Hindu Festival: Diwali Diwali, Divali, Dewali, Deepavali (Buddhism, Hindu, India) Diwali is a five day Hindu festival which occurs on the fifteenth day of Kartika. Diwali means "rows of lighted lamps" and the celebration is often referred to as the Festival of Lights. During this time, homes are thoroughly cleaned and windows are opened to welcome Laksmi, goddess of wealth. Candles and lamps are lit as a greeting to Laksmi. Gifts are exchanged and festive meals are prepared during Diwali. The celebration means as much to Hindus as Christmas does to Christians.

Important Sites

World’s richest temple Tirumala - Tirupati World’s richest temple

Saint Thomas Cathedral Statue of Virgin Mary brought from Portugal in 1543

The Golden Temple

The biggest mosque in India Jamma Masjid The biggest mosque in India

Modernistic structures to observe the movement of stars Jantar Mantar – 1716 Modernistic structures to observe the movement of stars

Illuminated by 97,000 light bulbs Mysore Palace Illuminated by 97,000 light bulbs

Largest monolithic statue in Asia Buddha Statue Largest monolithic statue in Asia

Jewel in the crown of Kashmir Dal Lake Jewel in the crown of Kashmir

The Taj Mahal

Calcutta – City of joy

Cherrapunji Wettest place on earth