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INDIA A RISING STAR IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM
Contents • India-Introduction • Geography • People • Government • Economy • Religions • Politics • Culture • Great Leaders • Women • Conflict with Pakistan over J&K • Indians in America • Useful Links And Sights of India
INDIA INTRODUCTION The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world, goes back at least 5,000 years. Aryan tribes from the northwest invaded about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier inhabitants created classical Indian culture. By the 19th century, Britain had assumed political control of virtually all Indian lands. Nonviolent resistance to British colonialism under Mohandas Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru led to independence in 1947. The subcontinent was divided into the secular state of India and the smaller Muslim state of Pakistan.
Geography Geography Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan Geographic coordinates: 20 00 N, 77 00 E Map references: Asia Area: Total: 3,287,590 sq km Land: 2,973,190 sq km Water: 314,400 sq km Coastline: 7,000 km
Irrigation, Hazards, Environment Irrigated land:535,100 sq km (1995/96 EST.) Natural hazards: droughts, flash floods, severe thunderstorms common; earthquakes Environment - current issues: Deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; desertification; air pollution from industrial effluents and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage and runoff of agricultural pesticides; tap water is not potable throughout the country; huge and growing population is overstraining natural resources
People People Population:1,029,991,145 (July 2001 EST.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 33.12% (male 175,630,537; female 165,540,672) 15-64 years: 62.2% (male 331,790,850; female 308,902,864) 65 years and over: 4.68% (male 24,439,022; female 23,687,200) (2001 EST.) Sex ratio:At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2001.)
Languages English enjoys associate status but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication, Hindi the national language and primary tongue of 30% of the people,Bengali (official), Telugu (official), Marathi (official), Tamil (official), Urdu (official), Gujarati (official),Malayalam (official), Kannada (official), Oriya (official), Punjabi (official), Assamese (official), Kashmiri (official), Sindhi (official), Sanskrit (official), Hindustani (a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India) note:
Flag description Flag description: Three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a blue chakra (24-spoked wheel) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Niger, which has a small orange disk centered in the white band
Economy : The Indian economy has been catching up quickly in the past two decades, and weathered the global recession well. Wide-ranging reforms and increased investment have lifted potential growth to almost 9%, the highest in Indian history, helped by improvements in infrastructure. The government should step up efforts to restructure public expenditure; reduce the fiscal deficit; relax some of the constraints facing the financial sector and further promote international integration.
Production in India Electricity - production by source: Fossil fuel: 79.41% Hydra: 17.77% Nuclear: 2.52% Other: 0.3% (1999) Electricity -consumption: 424.032 billion kWh (1999) Electricity - exports:200 million kWh (1999) Electricity - imports:1.49 billion kWh (1999)
Agriculture Agriculture - products:Rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry; fish Exports:$43.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000) Exports - commodities: Textile goods, gems and jewelry, engineering goods, chemicals, leather manufactures Exports - partners:US 22%, UK 6%, Germany 5%, Japan 5%, Hong Kong 5%, UAE 4% (1999) Imports:$60.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000) Imports - commodities: Crude oil, machinery, gems, fertilizer, chemicals
Religions in India
BJP: Bharatiya Janata Party is today the most prominent member of the family of organisations known as the "Sangh Parivar".And RSS has always been dubbed "communal", "reactionary”and what not by its detractors. Sanghs of swayamsevaks have of course always shaken off that criticism like so much water off a duck's back. They have never had any doubt that the organisation is wedded to national unity, national integrity, national identity and national strength through individual character and national character. And today this organisation is poised for a gresat leap forward. Even its long- time detractors think and say that now bjp is "unstoppable".What is the story of this national epic?
Congress: The oldest Indian political party, the Indian National Congress was formed in 1885 and was the most powerful force behind the country's struggle for independence. It also held power for most years after independence. The party has also been instrumental in the making or fall of non-Congress governments at the center when it was out of power. However, the party has undergone many splits and its fetish for the Gandhi family has today put it in a tight spot.
CPI(M): The CPI(M) was formed at the Seventh Congress of the Communist Party of India held in Calcutta from October 31 to November 7, 1964. The CPI(M) was born in the struggle against revisionism and sectarianism in the communist movement at the international and national level, in order to defend the scientific and revolutionary tenets of Marxism-Leninism and its appropriate application in the concrete Indian conditions. The CPI(M) combines the fine heritage of the anti-imperialist struggle and the revolutionary legacy of the undivided Communist Party which was founded in 1920. Over the years, the Party has emerged as the foremost Left force in the country.
Culture • Music • Festivals • Art • Architecture • Dance
Music • Music has always occupied a central place in the imagination of Indians. The range of musical phenomenon in India, and indeed the rest of South Asia, extends from simple melodies, commonly encountered among hill tribes, to what is one of the most well- developed "systems" of classical music in the world. Indian music can be described as having been inaugurated with the chanting of Vedic hymns, though it is more than probable that the Indus Valley Civilization was not without its musical culture, of which almost nothing is known. Sometime between the 2nd century BC and the 5th century AD, the Natyasastra, on Treatise on the Dramatic Arts, was composed by Bharata. This work has ever since exercised an incalculable
Festivals: • The festivals of importance are • Diwali • Dussera • Raksha Bandhan etc
Diwali: Diwali: Diwali signifies many different things to people across the country. In north India, Diwali celebrates Rama's homecoming, that is his return to Ayodhya after the defeat of Ravana and his coronation as king; in Gujarat, the festival honors Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth; and in Bengal, it is associated with the goddess Kali. Everywhere, it signifies the renewal of life, and accordingly it is common to wear new clothes on the day of the festival; similarly, it heralds the approach of winter and the beginning of the sowing season. It is colloquially known as the "festival of lights", for the common practice is to light small oil lamps (called diyas) and place them around the home, in courtyards, verandahs, and gardens, as well as on roof-tops and outer walls.
Dussera: On the last day of the festival, young men and small boys, dressed as Rama, his brother Lakshman, Ravana, and other players in the drama, proceed through the streets of the community as part of a float that is sometimes quite elaborate. Rama and Ravana engage in battle; Ravana is defeated. Though known by different Rama over Ravana, or the orces "good" over the forces of "evil". Large effigies of the ten-headed Ravana, the king of Lanka who abducted Rama's wife, Sita, and was subsequently vanquished in battle, are burnt as the sun goes down; on either side of him are the slightly smaller effigies of Meghnada, the son of Ravana, and Kumbhakarna, the full brother of Ravana whose name has become a household word in India for lethargy and laziness.
Raksha Bandhan: The annual "festival" of Raksha Bandhan, which is meant to commemorate the abiding ties between siblings of opposite sex, usually takes place in late August, and is marked by a very simple ceremony in which a woman ties a rakhi — which may be a colorful thread, a simple bracelet, or a decorative string — around the waist of her brother(s). The word "raksha" signifies protection, and "bandhan" is an association signifying an enduring sort of bond; and so, when a woman ties a rakhi around the waist of her brother, she signifies her loving attachment to him. He, likewise, recognizes the special bonds between them, and by extending his wrist forward, he in fact extends the hand of his protection over her.
Indian Art Indian Art is the visual art produced on the Indian subcontinent from about the 3rd millennium BC to modern times. To viewers schooled in the Western tradition, Indian art may seem overly ornate and sensuous; appreciation of its refinement comes only gradually, as a rule. Voluptuous feeling is given unusually free expression in Indian culture. A strong sense of design is also characteristic of Indian art and can be observed in its modern as well as in its traditional forms. The vast scope of the art of India intertwines with the cultural history, religions and philosophies which place art production and patronage in social and cultural contexts.
Architecture One of the most enduring achievements of Indian civilization is undoubtedly its architecture, which extends to a great deal more than the Taj Mahal or the temple complexes of Khajuraho and Vijayanagara. Though the Indus Valley sites of Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, and Lothal provide substantial evidence of extensive town planning, the beginnings of Indian architecture are more properly to be dated to the advent of Buddhism in India, in the reign of Ashoka (c. 270-232), and the construction of Buddhist monasteries and stupas.
Architecture Buddhist architecture was predominant for several centuries, and there are few remains of Hindu temples from even late antiquity. Among the many highlights of Buddhist art and architecture are the Great Stupa at Sanchi and the rock-cut caves at Ajanta. Many other architectures of importance are: Ajanta, Buddhist Architecture, Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram, South Indian Architecture, Khajuraho, Orissan Architecture, Mughal Architecture, Fatehpur Sikri, Taj Mahal, Fort Architecture, Stepwells
Dance There are many types of dance in India, from those which are deeply religious in content to those which are danced on more trivial happy occasions. Classical dances of India are usually always spiritual in content, although this is often true also of Folk dances. The classical dances are Kathakali and Mohini Attam from Kerala. Bharata Natyam from Tamil Nadu.Kuchipudi from Andhra Pradesh Odissi from Orissa ,Kathak from Uttar Pradesh, Manipuri from Manipur Folk Dances:Dumhal of Kashmir ,Bihu of Assam ,Brita or Vrita of West Bengal ,Dalkhai of Orissa,Hikat of Himachal Pradesh
Heroes of India Gandhiji’s life was dedicated to the ideals of Truth, Non-violence and Love. 'The Bhagavad Gita is my mother,' he once said;and the name of Sri Rama was his shield. He was the architect of India's freedom and one of the greatest men of this century. Bal Gangadhar Tilak (29th Couplet) Described by British as "The Father of Indian Unrest " Tilak was born on 23.07.1856. His slogan, "Swaraj (Self Rule) is my birthright", inspired millions of Indians. His book "Geetarahasya"a classic treatise on Geeta in Marathi was written by him, in prison at Mandalay.Great journalist- editor, an authority on Vedas, Sanskrit Scholar, mathematician and a natural leader of India. Died 01.08.1920 "Swaraj is our birthright," thundered Tilak, the Lion of India.He founded schools and published newspapers, all for his motherland. countrymen.
Bhagat Singh : He is the symbol of the heroism of the youth of India. A revolutionary He threw a bomb when the Legislature was in session to warn the British Government. He was put to death but lives in the hearts of his countrymen. Ramaprasad Bismil:A brave revolutionary who gave up his life smilingly for the sake of the Motherland. He was persecuted by an enraged foreign government, hunted by the police and betrayed by follow workers. And yet he lit the fire of revolution to burn down the slavery.He was the brave leader of the Kakori Rail Dacoity episode. His poetry is also a lamp lighted at the altar of the Mother land. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of Independent India and architect of India's foreign policy, grew from a anglicized child into a dedicated nationalist par excellence. .
Rabindranath Tagore was born into a distinguished Bengali family in Calcutta, West Bengal on 1861.In 1901 he founded the famous Shantiniketan near Calcutta. This was designed to provide a traditional ashram and Western education. He began with 5 pupils and 5 teachers (three of whom were Christian). His ideals were simplicity of living and the cultivation of beauty. • Lala Lajpat Rai :A great national leader who came to be called the 'Lion of Punjab.' Worked tire- lessly to improve education, to promote unity among Hindus and to reform society. Rabindranath Tagore Lala Lajpat Rai
Madan Mohana Malaviya :The founder of Benares Hindu University. His boyhood was spent in utter poverty. By his scholarship, pure life and selflessness he won such respect that he collected more than thirteen million rupees for the University. He was the tireless exponent of the greatness of India and her culture. Raja Rammohan Roy has come to be called the ‘Maker of Modern India’. Without giving up what was good and noble in the past, he laid the foundations for a great future. He put an end to the horrible custom of burning the living wife with the dead husband. He was a great scholar and an independent thinker. He advocated the study of English, Science, Western Medicine and Technology. He spent his money on a college to promote these studies.
Dr.M.VISVESVARAYA :One of the makers of modern India. 'MV' was a genius. Perfectly honest and devoted to his work, he set new standards of efficiency. This is the story of a poor boy that became the Grand Old Man of India. Dr.C.V. Raman: The genius who won the Nobel Prize for Physics, with simple equipment barely worth RS. 300. He was the first Asian scientist to win the Nobel Prize. He was a man of boundless curiosity and a lively sense of humor. His spirit of inquiry and devotion to science laid the foundations for scientific research in India. And he won honor as a scientist and affection as a teacher and a man.
Jhansi Lakshmi Bhai: The great heroine of the First war of India Freedom. She lived for only twenty-two years. She became a widow in her eighteenth year. Jhansi, of which she was the queen, was in the grip of the cunning, cruel British. She was the embodiment of patriotism, self-respect and heroism. She was the queen of a small state, but the empress of a limitless empire of glory. Indira Gandhi (1917-1984) was the only child of Kamla and Jawaharlal Nehru. Mrs.. Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India from1966-77 and 1980-84. Mrs.. Gandhi acquired a formidable international reputation as a "statesman", and there is no doubt that she was extraordinarily skilled in politics. She was prone, like many other politicians, to thrive on slogans, and one -- Garibi Hatao, "Remove Poverty" -- became the rallying cry for one of her election campaigns.
Women in India India has always been a relentless champion of the cause of women at all international and national fora. The policy makers realise that real development cannot take roots if it bypasses women, who represent the very kernel around which social change must take shape. The past few years have seen unprecedented changes in the political, diplomatic, economic and ideological spheres, but certain quiet but perhaps more far reaching developments have also taken roots. From growth to growth with equity, from routine delivery of services to people's participation, from economic development to human development and from services endowment to empowerment, the paradigms of development have certainly come a long
Kashmir Controversy Presented by Ven Merja
The Kashmir conflict is a territorial dispute over Kashmir. • There are total 4 parties involved in this dispute – India, Pakistan, China and the people of Kashmir.
Partition and dispute • Before Independence from British in 1947 from 1820, Kashmir was ruled by the Maharaja of Kashmir who was Hindu although the majority of the population were Muslim, except the Jammu region. • The partition was made on religious lines resulting in to the formation of two separate countries – India and Pakistan. Pakistan insisted that Kashmir should be given to it.
Because of its location, Kashmir could choose to join either India or Pakistan. Maharaja Hari Singh was the ruler of Kashmir. Unable to decide which nation Kashmir should join, Hari Singh chose to remain neutral.
Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 • But his hopes of remaining independent were dashed in October 1947, as Pakistan sent in Muslim tribesmen who were knocking at the gates of the capital Srinagar. • Hari Singh appealed to the Indian government for military assistance and fled to India. He signed the “Instrument of Accession”, giving up Kashmir to India on October 26. The Instrument of Accession of Kashmir to India was accepted by Viceroy Lord Mountbatten of Burma.
India and Pakistan fought the first war over Kashmir in 1947-48. India referred the dispute to the United Nations. In a resolution, the UN asked Pakistan to remove its troops, after which India was also to withdraw the bulk of its forces. • India was confident that it will win the referendum, because Sheikh Abdullah, the most influential Kashmiri mass leader, was firmly on its side. Hence an emergency Govt. was formed on October 30, 1948 with Sheikh Abdullah as the “Prime Minister”.
LOC – LINE OF CONTROL • Pakistan ignored the UN mandate and continued fighting, holding on to the portion of Kashmir under its control. On January 1, 1949, a ceasefire was agreed, with 65 % of the territory under Indian control and the remaining 35% with Pakistan. • The ceasefire was intended to be temporary, but the Line of Control remains the military control line between the Indian and Pakistani-controlled parts of the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
Tashkent agreement • In 1957, Kashmir was incorporated into the Indian Union. It was given a special status under Article 370 of India's constitution, which ensures, among other things, that non-Kashmiri Indians cannot buy property there. • Fighting broke out again in 1965, but a ceasefire was established. Indian Prime Minister, Lal Bhadur Shastri, and Pakistani President, M Ayub Khan, signed the Tashkent agreement on January 1, 1966. • They resolved to try to end the dispute, but the death of Mr Shastri and the rise of Gen Yahya Khan in Pakistan resulted in stalemate (deadlock).
Simla Agreement • In 1971 a third war, resulting in the formation of Bangladesh was broken out and India declared war on December 3, 1971. When Indians entered 50 km into the area of Pakistan, a ceasefire was reached. • In 1972 Indira Gandhi, the Indian prime minister, and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto signed the Simla Agreement, which repeated the promises made in Tashkent.
Infiltration of Pakistani guerrillas • The status quo was maintained until 1989. Thereafter Pakistani guerrillas struck in the Indian Kashmir valley. They established a reign of terror and drove out almost all the Hindus from the valley. Meanwhile Indian and Pakistani troops regularly exchanged fire at the border. • India and Pakistan both tested nuclear devices in 1998, and then in 1999 test-fired missiles. When the Indian Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, visited Lahore by bus in 1999, the world felt that such a genuine effort at friendly neighborhood relations would lower the tension along the LOC.
Kargil War & Cross-border troubles • But, again the cross-LOC firing in Kargil began during the mid-1998. Indian forces drove them out fighting bravely. The death toll, including both soldiers and civilians, was more than 30,000. • India argued that the infiltrators were trained and armed by Pakistan, and based in "Azad Kashmir" with the full knowledge of the Pakistani government. Pakistan said that they were freedom fighters (!) from Kashmir and that it was giving only moral support.
A Few Questions to Ponder over • Was Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru mainly responsible for the Kashmir issue? • Why India always takes soft stand? Shouldn’t we be offensive rather than defensive? • Shouldn’t the Article 370 of India's constitution be removed? • Isn’t Kashmir our Natinal Pride ? Shall we allow Pak to snetch it from us ?– NEVER.
