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Travel Guide: India
03/02/20
World
Maps
Asia
Biggest continent in the world
Continent
India
India
Cities and States
States and Cities
Government and Politics
Government
India's Government
Government
- India's form of government is a a parliamentary democratic republic, that resides over 29 states and 7 territories
- Ram Nath Kovind is the current president, which means he is also Head of State. Narendra Modi is the current prime minister, he is responsible for running the federal gov. ,which grants him more executive power.
- There are two houses, The Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the people (Lok Sabha).
Structure
Structure
- The Central Government is formed by the party holding the majority of seats at the Lok Sabha.
- Each state is also governed by State Governments elected through State Legislative assembly elections.
- The power to govern the states is divided between the state and the central governments.
- The Ministries and departments of the Central gov. help govern the nation, much like our government
Political Parties
There are 8 national parties recognized in India; The All India Trinamool Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party, Communist Party of India, Marxist Communist Party of India, Indian National Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, National People's Party, and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Parties
Religion
Religion
Popularity and Impact
- The most dominant religion in India is Hinduism by a huge margin, with about 80% of the population in practice.
- Islam is second most practiced with about 13%, with Christians, Sikhs, Buddhist and Jainists making up the rest of the population
Impact
Religious Architecture
- The Taj Mahal is one of the greatest structures ever built, and it was modeled after religious beliefs, as it is a muslim tomb.
- The finial atop the dome is uniquely Indian, recognizing the region's religious diversity. The finial incorporates a crescent moon, the symbol of Islam.
Architecture
Treatment of visitors
Within India they are very welcoming and enjoy hosting foreigners, they love rich culture and appreciate diversity. The people of India are not all very wealthy so stumbling upon a lot of people who are just trying to get tourists to buy things is very common. On the other hand the people who aren't are very open about India and its societal values.
For Visitors
History
Languages and Historical Events
Languages
Linguistic India
As of 2011, there are approximately more than 19,500 languages spoken in India. Twenty-two of those are the official languages spoken. Babbel Magazine classifies these as: Bengali, Hindi, Maithili, Nepalese, Sanskrit, Tamil, Urdu, Assamese, Dogri, Kannada, Gujarati, Bodo, Manipur (also known as Meitei), Oriya, Marathi, Santali, Telugu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Malayalam, Konkani and Kashmiri.
Leaders
Significant History and Leaders
Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Mahatma Gandhi
Indira Gandhi
Known as the "Father of the Indian Revolution", Bal Gangadhar Tilak helped lay the foundation for Indian swaraj (self-rule).
Internationally known for his non-violent protesting against British rule, Mahatma Gandhi fought for the independence of India.
The daughter of India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi was known for being the first female prime minister and revitalising the farming industry.
Wars
Major Wars and Rebellions
Panipat (1526)
- Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, invaded the Delhi Sultanate with 24 pieces of artillery.
- Set up the next 300 years for the Mughal Empire's lifetime.
- Babur was outnumbered by about 10,000 against 40,000.
First battle of Panipat
Babur, the founder of the Monghul E
Talikota (1565)
- Seized on January 26th, 1565
- The Vijayanagara Empire was "the largest, most well-organized, and most militaristic Hindu state in southern India yet, formed in direct response to Islamic incursions deep into India. "
- "The net result was that it weakened southern India and was integrated into the Mughal Empire. "
- "South India’s distinct political and cultural autonomy ended and Islamic states became politically dominant across most of South Asia."
"The Horrifying Betrayal of the Battle of Talikota" - Post Card News
Karnal (1739)
- February 24th, 1739
- The Mughal Empire was weakened after their victory in battle.
- Though they won the battle, the Mughal Empire was required to pay a heavy sum in order to continue their reign.
- The Mughal Empire eventually descimated into smaller governments, losing their powerful grip.
Nader Shah in battle. By Adel Adili - CC BY-SA3.0
Plassey (1757)
- June 23rd, 1757
- This battle started the British Empire in India.
- By 1757, the British East Indian Company (EIC) was set up in Bengal, setting up a trading post in Calcutta.
- "The Nawab of Bengal, Siraj ud-Daulah, was allied with the French, who were fighting the British all over the world in the course of the Seven Years War."
- The British won due to strategic officers, not by having a large amount of soldiers.
An oil-on-canvas painting depicting the meeting of Mir Jafar and Robert Clive after the Battle of Plassey by Francis Hayman
Kohima (1944)
- April 4th, 1944 - June 22nd, 1944
- Occuring during WW2, involving the United Kingdom, the British Raj, the Empire of Japan, and the Kingdom of Nepal.
- In close quarters with the British Empire in India, Japan wanted to gain control of the land and move Britain out.
- The British Empire saw India as a vital part of WW2 due to its resources and wealth.
- Britain succeeds and pushes the Japanese forces out into China.
A painting of the battle by Terence Cuneo (Picture Kohima Museum).
National
Holidays
National
Holidays
Independence Day
Independence
Day
- Celebrated on August 15 annually
- represents the ending of british rule in 1947 creating a free Indian nation
- Typical activities during the holiday is flag-raising, kite flying, singing of the national anthem, and an Armed Forces march in Old Delhi
- The Prime minister also addresses the nation with a speech outlining the accomplishments the country has made over the past year
National Anthem
"Jana Gana Mana"
Lyrics to “Jana Gana Mana” (India’s National Anthem)
Jana-gaṇa-mana adhināyaka jaya hē
Bhārata-bhāgya-vidhātā.
Paṁjāba-Sindhu-Gujarāta-Marāṭhā,
Drāviṛa-Utkala Baṁga
Viṁdhya Himācala Yamunā Gaṁgā,
ucchala jaladhi taraṁga
Taba Śubha nāmē jāgē,
taba śubha āśiṣa māṁgē
gāhē taba jaya gāthā.
Jana gaṇa maṁgala-dāyaka jaya hē,
Bhārata bhāgya vidhātā.
Jaya hē, Jaya hē, Jaya hē,
jaya jaya jaya jaya hē.
National
Anthem
Thou art the ruler of the minds of all people,
Dispenser of India's destiny.
Thy name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sindh,
Gujarat and Maratha,
Of the Dravida and Odisha
and Bengal;
It echoes in the hills of Vindhya and the
Himalayas,
Mingles in the music of Ganga and Yamuna
and is chanted by
The waves of the Indian sea.
They pray for thy blessings and sing thy praise.
The saving of all people waits in thy hand,
Thou dispenser of India's destiny.
Victory, victory, victory to thee.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yMvU73Wr7Q
Republic Day
Republic
Day
- Celebrated on January 26th and marks the day the Constitution of India came into effect
- begins with the Prime minister placing a wreath on the Indian Gate to commemorate armed forces that have lost their lives
- Members of the armed forces and general are given honor awards for acts of bravery
- Much like Independence Day an armed forces parade occurs with shows of artillery and tanks, portraying India's military power
Celebrations
Celebrations
Weddings
- Indian weddings are commonly hindu ceremonies with a little variation between states
- The weddings are a celebration that lasts three or more days
- They are traditionally decorated with vibrant colors
- Held under a large colorful canopy called a Mandap
more on weddings
Holi
Holi
- celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Phalguna(March 10, 2020), which is also the transition from winter to spring
- Day to remember the triumph of good over evil
- Festivities include the throwing of colorful waters and powders in the streets, and lighting bonfires on the night before Holi among family and friends
Diwali
Diwali
- Diwali is known as the festival of lights due to the common activity of lighting candles around homes and setting off fireworks to drive out evil
- Occurs between mid-October and mid-November annually
- Is a 5 day celebration filled with worship and self care
- It is also a time of self reflection and enlightenment
Popular Music of India
Music
Ravi Shankar
Indian Classical Music
- Known for composing Indian Classical Music and playing the Sitar(a stringed instrument)
- He was the founder of the National Orchestra of India
- Also credited for helping bring Western appreciation to Indian music
Ravi Shankar playing the Sitar
Sitar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmOIh1lqWzc
Hindi Film Music
Hindi Film Music
- Music of Bollywood is a more recently popularized genre of Indian Music
- The genre includes songs that are made for movies in the Bollywood industry
- The songs are made to be danced to and easily remembered
- This genre of music accounts for about 70% of all music sales in India
- Credited for adding popularity to Bollywood by providing music for important dance numbers
Famous People of India
Famous
people
Milkha Singh
Milkha Sing
- Was an Indian track and field athlete that ran sprints(200m & 400m)
- Was the first Indian male to reach the final of an Olympic athletics event (placed 4th in the1960 Olympics)
- was awarded the Padma Shri in 1959 which is a high civilian honor award
- After retirement he held a position as the director of sports in Punjab
Ela Bhatt
Ela Bhatt
- Founded the Self-employed Women Association(SEWA)
- SEWA is a trade union for self-employed female Indian textile workers
- Also cofounded Women's World Banking(WWB) a microfinancing organization that helps poor women acquire small loans all over the world
- Was appointed to the Rajya Sabha or Counsel of States which is part of India's Parliament
The Basics
PROTOCOL
Protocol
https://create.kahoot.it/share/india-trivia/687cfb89-b30e-44f2-a593-62e598233f5e
Greetings and Gestures
- Protocol varies greatly nationwide
- Handshakes are mostly acceptable (not between men and women)
- "Namaste"
- Do NOT touch someone else's head
- Pointing with a finger is rude
- Do not point your feet at another person
Business
Business
- Doing business is seen as highly personal
- Punctuality is appreciated but not always practiced. flexibility while scheduling meeting is expected.
- Bargaining is a big part of the Indian culture
- Business transactions are not to occur during religious holidays
FORMS OF ADDRESS
Titles
- Titles are highly valued in the Indian culture
- when referring to someone in a professional setting use "Mr.", "Mrs." and "Miss."
- don't refer to someone by their first name unless you are asked to or you are close friends
- Traditionally, surnames are not common but rather are referred to as the son or daughter of their father's first name
Dining Etiquette
- you must eat with only your right hand as using your left hand was traditionally seen as only for hygienic purposes and is considered unclean
- when serving food, women and men are not to directly touch the food as it is seen as impure
- if you are invited to dinner, it is common that you arrive 15 to 30 minutes late
- Don't say "thank you" to your hosts after a meal as it is insulting because it is seen as a form of payment
Dining
How to Dress
Dress
- Business:
- Men: suit and tie
- Women: conservative dress or pantsuit
- Casual wear:
- Men: short-sleeved shirts and long trousers, no shorts
- Women: must cover upper arms, chest, back, and legs
- Wearing leather is offensive to many Hindus
ORIGINAL DESIGN
INDIA'S NATIONAL FLAG
Monuments
Flag
DRASTIC CHANGES
FIRST DRAFT
FIRST NATIONAL FLAG
FLAG OF 1917
SWARAJ FLAG OF 1935
UNOFFICIAL FLAG OF 1921
TIRANGA
- SAFFRON - Strength and courage of the country
TRICOLOR MEANING
- WHITE - Peace and truth with Dharma Chakra
- GREEN - fertility, growth and hopefullness of the land
TRAVEL
Travel
Currency in India
The Indian Rupee is the National Currency.
Currency
As of Feb 23, 2020, 1 dollar = 71.89 Indian Rupees (Data provided by Morningstar for Currency and Coinbase for Cryptocurrency)
-Contact your bank to see if they have the currency
o Use https://www.xe.com/ to find current exchange rates.
o Compare rates
Places to Visit in India
Where to go?
- Taj Mahal
- Amritsar
- Ladakh
And More!
What to avoid in India
Must avoid Jumma and Kashmir due to terrorism and civil unrest
- Satellite phones are banned
- watch out for panhandlers
- Avoid areas with a large population
Be Wary
Local
Transportation
Transportation
International Transportation
- India has 128 airports in total (15 are international airports) all throughout the country
- On average, flights from the United States to India can cost $700 - $1,200
- As a Tourist, you need your U.S passport and Indian visa in order to travel in and out of India
international
travel
Incase of Emergencies
Emergencies
- Be Informed - Learn About the Country Before you go
- Be Prepared - Have essentials ready
- Be Connected - Have important info written down
- Be Safe - Have an exit strategy
- Enroll in STEP
- How to Contact Police?
Websites to Help with Emergencies
Websites
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies.html
- https://step.state.gov/step/
- https://in.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/emergency-contact/
US Embassies
US
Embassies
U.S Embassy In New Delhi
New Delhi
- Shantipath, Chanakyapuri New Delhi – 110021
Tel: 011-91-11-2419-8000
- Hours: 8:30-5:00pm
U.S Consulate General In Hyderabad
Hyderabad
- Paigah Palace
1-8-323, Chiran Fort Lane Begumpet
Secunderabad 500 003
India: 040-4625-8222; 0120-484-4644
- Hours: 8:30-5:00pm
U.S Consulate General in Kolkata
Kolkata
- 38A, J.L.Nehru Road
Kolkata 700 071, West Bengal, India
Tel: 91-33-3984-6300
- Hours: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
U.S Consulate General In Mumbai
Mumbai
- C-49, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex
Bandra East, Mumbai 400051
Phone: (91-22) 2672-4000
- Hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm
U.S Consulate General In Chennai
Chennai
- Gemini Circle
Chennai 600 006
Phone: 044-2857-4000
- Hours: 9:30am - 5:00 pm
Embassies Websites
Websites
https://www.usembassy.gov/#results
Kenneth I. Luster
US Ambassador
Kenneth I. Luster
- U.S Ambassador Since November 3rd 2017
- Appointed by President Trump
- https://in.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/our-ambassador/
Luster
Technology In India
Technology
Phones In India
- Xiaomi
- Samsung
- Vivo
- Realme
- Oppo
Phones
WIFI + Internet
- They have internet/WIFI
- Bring a HotSpot
- Over 560 million internet users, India is the second largest online market in the world, ranked only behind China
WIFI
Voltage
- 220 Volts
- Alternating At 50 cycles
Voltage
Entertainment
Entertainment
Bollywood
The film empire of India
The Industry
Bollywood
- Style developed in the 1930's
- Centered in Mumbai (Bombay)
- Many sub-genres exist within Bollywood
- Almost 1,000 films produced annually
Shah Ruhk Khan
Priyanka Chopra
- Driven by stars and melodrama instead of complicated plots
- Fight scenes
- Intricate and flamboyant costumes inspired by traditional clothing
- Large, colorful dance numbers
Characteristics
Sachin Tendulkar
- Introduced to India by English colonies in the 18th Century
- By end of 20th century, India became a hub for cricket
- Indian Premier League (IPL) established in 2008
- IPL turned cricket into a very lucrative industry across the country
Cricket
Sunil Gavaskar
Ritus
Seasons
Vasant Ritu
- Springtime, mild and pleasant weather
- 2019 Season: Feb 18 - April 20
- Festivals: Vasant Panchami, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Holi, Rama Navami, Vishu, Bihu, Baisakhi, Puthandu, and Hanuman Jayanti
1
Vasanta Ritu: A Spring Scene. ExoticIndia Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
Grishma Ritu
- Summer, very warm weather
- 2019 Season: April 20 - June 21
- Ends on the solstice, known as Dakshinayana
- Festivals: Rath Yatra and Guru Purnima
2
Grishma Ritu: A Summer Scene. ExoticIndia Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
Varsha Ritu
- Monsoon season, heavy rains
- 2019 Season: June 21 - August 23
- Beginning of season marked by the solstice
- Festivals: Raksha Bandhan, Krishna Janmashtami, and Onam
3
Varsha Ritu: A Monsoon Scene. ExoticIndia Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
Sharad Ritu
- Autumn, temperatures cool from summer's heat
- 2019 Season: August 23 - October 23
- Festivals: Navaratri, Vijayadashami, and Sharad Purnima
- Autumnal Equinox, known as Sharad Vishuva occurs at midpoint of the season
4
Sharat Ritu: An Autumn Scene. ExoticIndia Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
Hemant Ritu
- Pre-winter season, most moderate and pleasant weather of the year
- 2019 Season: October 23 - December 21
- Ends on the solstice, Uttarayana, the shortest day of the year
- Festivals: Diwali, Bhai Dooj
5
Hemant Ritu: A Pre-winter Scene. ExoticIndia Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
Shishir Ritu
- Winter, coldest weather of the year
- 2019 Season: Dec 21 - Feb 18
- Begins with the winter solstice
- Festivals: Lohri, Pongal, Makar Sankranti, Shivratri
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Shishir Ritu: A Winter Scene. ExoticIndia Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
Development
Today
PM Modi with President Trump
The Economy
Economy
- 2020: 5th largest economy in the world
- In process of becoming open-market
- GDP: $2.94 trillion
- GDP per capital: $2,170
- Unemployement: 3.5% in 2018
- 393.7 million people are underemployed
- 76% of Indians consider lack of employment as a major concern (Pew)
Education
Education
Gender
- World's 2nd largest school system
- 2015-2016: 1.5 million schools and 260 million students
- Public education compulsory for children 6-14
- 2013: 47 million children out of school
- 70.04% literate
- Men 82.14%
- Women 65.46%
(Quick) Current Events
Current
Events
- 2014: Narendra Modi becomes PM
- Sept 2019: Internet "blackout" in Kashmir
- Oct 2019: Kashmir's autonomy revoked; state's constitution, penal code, and flag nullified
- Dec 2019: Citizenship Amendment Act, massive protests