1. India
A few things about me.

2. Religion – Hinduism World's oldest religion No specific founder
Vedas are the oldest readings of Hinduism
330 Million Gods
Hindu Deities
Brahma – Creator
Vishnu – Preserver
Shiva – Destroyer

3. Hinduism
Hinduism is the religion of approximately 83% of the Indian population.
Two major points to know about the Hindu religion:
Hindus believe in reincarnation, which teaches a person is born, lives, dies, and is reborn again many times.
Hindus believe in karma, which states a person’s social position in the next life depends upon his or her conduct in the present life.

5. India – Geography India is considered a subcontinent
a large area of land separated from the rest of a continent by a natural barrier

6. India – Geography Himalayan Mountains Natural barrier
Limits the movement of people
Contains Mt. Everest
Origins of Ganges and Indus Rivers

7. India Ganges River is sacred to Indians who follow the Hindu religion
It is holy and is where the dead are cremated.

8. India’s History
2000 BCE – Invasion of Indus Valley by the Aryans from Central Asia. Aryans brought with them the Hindu religion and Caste System
600 BCE – Ganges River Settlements

9. India’s History 1626-1707, the Mughal Empire brought Islam to India
Akbar’s grandson built a magnificent mausoleum to his wife, now known as the Taj Mahal

10. Taj Mahal Trash

11. India’s History After WWII: India divided into East and West Pakistan
Pakistan (Islam) and India (Hinduism) had a combined 12 million refugees
Still conflict between the two: Religious differences and Territorial disputes (Kashmir)

12. India: Relations with China
India invaded Tibet 1950
In 1959 China violently put down the revolt and the Dalai Lama was forced to flee to India for safety
Spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism and – until the establishment of Chinese communist rule – the spiritual and temporal ruler of Tibet
China took territory from India in 1962
China supported Pakistan in India-Pakistan War

13. Statistics in India
1.22 billion in India – 2nd largest populated nation in the world. It is 1/7th of the world’s population of 7.3 billion, around 17%.
One million births each month, which is a strain on their natural resources

14. India: Lifestyle Family: Large family units live together
Arranged marriages Dating/divorce are rare
Male oriented society women submit & obey
Recreation: Hockey, cricket, soccer, rugby
Rice, curry, chai tea (many vegetarians)
Cows are sacred: No leather in a temple
Do not touch women – sign of respect
Remove shoes when entering home
Bindi – red dot on forehead, lots of jewelry
India makes most the movies in the world
Eat with their hands, women eat after guests, men, and children
No backslapping, winking, whistle, or public displays affection