FAST FACTS

India

As of 2001, the total population of India was 1.027 billion (USA is about 301 million), which is 16.7% of the world population. The country has a current GDP growth rate of 9.1%, while the US GDP is currently growing at 2.3% (with major crisis in the financial markets).  India’s inflation rate, is at a 13 year high of 11% (US inflation rate is 5.3% as of August). Unemployment for India is 7.8% compared to America at 4.8%.  India’s currency is the Rupee (1 USD = 46.52 INR) — will be packing the calculator…

India (Republic of India/Bharatiya Ganarajya) is a federal republic with 28 states and 7 territories.  New Delhi is the capital (my first stop).  The country gained its independence from the UK Aug 15, 1947 and passed its Constitution on Jan. 26, 1950.  The government operates with an executive, legislative and judicial branch, and its legal system is based on English common law. (Separate personal law codes apply to Muslims, Christians and Hindus.)  The current chief of state is President Pratibha Patil (since July 07) and Vice President Hamid Ansari (since Aug 07).

India is 80.5% Hindu, 13.4% Muslim, 2.3% Christian, and 1.9% Sikh. English is the primary language, but Hindi is the national language and spoken by 41% of the population. There are 14 other official languages as well.

The service sector is the country’s major source of economic growth, but 3/5ths of the work force is in the agriculture sector.  India produces the following agriculture products:  rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes, cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry and fish.  Major industries are:  textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery and software.  Major exports: petroleum products, textile goods, gems and jewelry, engineering goods, chemicals and leather.  It’s largest export partner?  The US at 15.1% of total India exports. The country’s largest import partner?  China at 10.7% and the US at 7.8% of total commodities.

Dharamsala

…means “Rest House” and is a town in the northern region of India, in the state of Himachal Pradesh.  It has been the capital of the Central Tibetan Administration since 1960. – Yes, the current headquarters, “government-in-exile”, for the 14th and current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. (McLeod Ganj, which is where I’ll be!).  McLeod Ganj is also referred to as “Little Lhasa” after the Tibetan capital city.

India Caste System

There are thousands of castes and subcastes in India (although, the constitution forbids negative public discrimination on the basis of caste).  In reality,  it’s still very much a part of everyday culture.  There are five different levels (varna):  Brahma (priest), Kshatriya (ruler, warrior, landowner), Vaishya (merchants), Shudra (artisans, agriculturalists) and Harijan (untouchables – outside the caste system).  Each of these catergories has castes (jatis) within which people are born, marry and die.  Seriously, you can’t marry outside your caste – which is really hard for me, an American to understand.  Nonetheless, this system is a big part of life in India, so I’m thinking…where would I fit in?  Today, women still don’t have a lot of choice and are not considered equals in many ways.  Marriages are still arranged by parents/families, a foreign concept for an American, but something that has been a tradition for thousands of years.

Attire

So, I must come back with a few sari,the common choice of clothing for Indian women. (It will be such a challenge tucking and pleating it..hmm…they don’t use pins or buttons and it’s one piece…).  It’s worn with acholi (tight-fitting blouse) and a drawstring petticoat. (“hmm”).  Or I could go with the salwar kameez, the traditional dressliketunic and trouser combo with a dupatta (long scarf).  I do know the fabrics are amazing, so I’m really looking forward to clothes shopping!

Note on Bindi Dots

The traditional bindi, or dot on the forehead is a Hindu tradition.  If a Hindu women is married, she has a red dot to signify that she is “not available”.  (Also called a “Tilak“).  However, the dot has become a fashion item among young women and you can get a peel-and-stick bindi in any shade and color – of course, I’ll be collecting some pink ones….

Tidbits

- An Indian wife never says her husband’s name aloud, it is considered disrespectful.

-Take your shoes off when entering a residence (as common in many cultures – leave your dirty shoes at the door.)

-An Indian style toilet is basically a hole in the ground (most middle-class families have Western-style lavatories), and there is no toilet paper.  Water is considered cleaner….hence the reason for the next tidbit…

-The left hand is considered the “dirty hand”, don’t offer it in a handshake, etc.

-Common greeting is “namaste“.

-Tea (chai) is the number one beverage.

-There are 400 million cows in India – one for every two people.  In Hindu, the cow is considered sacred.

-Strong belief in karma – “what goes around, comes around”.

-Most eating is done with your fingers.

-Never point with your finger, it’s considered rude; point with a jerk of your chin. 

-Beckon someone with the palm down and fingers pulling inward.

-Whistling and winking are impolite.

-Grasping your ears signifies repentance or sincerity. (Head and ears are considered sacred, feet are considered unclean.)