1. Current India People, places and events

3. Places Taj Mahal-1700’s Built by Shah Jahan as a tomb for his wife. Shah Jahan was the nephew of a Muslim emperor Taj Mahal cost so much money to build that it drained the empire of money and contributed to the fall of the empire.

4. Mt. Everest Located in the Himalaya Mountains on the boarder of Nepal and China. World’s tallest mountain First successful climb to the top was in 1953 by a man named Edmund Hillary from New Zealand.

5. Current Cost to Climb Mt. Everest Climbing Mount Everest is not cheap. Passports and Visas: $75+ Airfare $2,580 to $8,000 – Round trip : Permits issued in Nepal cost $10,000 $40,000 (Per person for guided trip up North Ridge Route) Oxygen (High quality oxygen and oxygen canisters are essential to the success and safety of climbers.) – $30,000 Helicopter evacuation from Base Camp (in case of emergencies) – $5,000 Equipment and Clothing: $8,000 Estimated total=$70,000 to $100,000

6. Problems facing Mt. Everest Popularity of climbing Mt. Everest has grown. Too much use has caused problems. One is garbage left by visitors. Another is overcrowding. Because so many people are climbing and camping on the mountain, scientist fear that the mountain won’t be able to hold.

8. Events Bollywood –India’s movie industry –Produces hundreds of movies a year

9. Holi Celebrated in March Celebrates the harvest of grain and the beginning of spring Dances, bonfires and fireworks Throw brightly colored powder and water at each other. Represents Krishna’s (god) youth.

10. People Gandhi Peaceful political leader in India Helped India gain its independence from Great Britain through civil disobedience Lived off modest means and traveled all over the world preaching peace through honest truth Often times fasted for self-purification and protest Worked towards civil rights for Indians in South Africa. Later moved to India

11. In 1948 Gandhi was assassinated by a radical Hindu who did not agree with some of Gandhi's movements towards Indian independence He was 79 years old when he died

13. Mother Theresa Catholic nun who worked for charity to help needy and sick children all over the world. She opened missionaries and charities for children with AIDS/HIV, leprosy, tuberculosis. Received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 Died in 1997. She was 87 years old