The People of India
India is the second most populous country in the world with a population of 1.32 billion citizens. In this population two major language families are spoken: the Indoi-Aryan and the Dravidian. Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism are just four of many religions born in India ("India"). India also remains one of the most ethnically and religiously diverse countries in the world, and is home to a nation of people expressing love and harmony to each other daily. Despite their acute differences in religion, practice, and values, each ethnicity lives in peace of one another and respects what keeps their cultures apart (“People & Lifestyle in India.”). Differences in geography and topography can have a massive influence on one's religious practices, cuisine, and even clothing. Women tend to dress stylishly in saris that come in endless arrays of colorful patterns while men stick to traditional items such as kurtas, lungis, dhotis, and pyjamas (“People & Lifestyle in India.”). Men are the head of the household in India, but both parents receive the utmost respect from their children. Respect and love towards your elders is a large part of Indian culture and it is uncommon to find a household with disrespectful children.
India is the second most populous country in the world with a population of 1.32 billion citizens. In this population two major language families are spoken: the Indoi-Aryan and the Dravidian. Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism are just four of many religions born in India ("India"). India also remains one of the most ethnically and religiously diverse countries in the world, and is home to a nation of people expressing love and harmony to each other daily. Despite their acute differences in religion, practice, and values, each ethnicity lives in peace of one another and respects what keeps their cultures apart (“People & Lifestyle in India.”). Differences in geography and topography can have a massive influence on one's religious practices, cuisine, and even clothing. Women tend to dress stylishly in saris that come in endless arrays of colorful patterns while men stick to traditional items such as kurtas, lungis, dhotis, and pyjamas (“People & Lifestyle in India.”). Men are the head of the household in India, but both parents receive the utmost respect from their children. Respect and love towards your elders is a large part of Indian culture and it is uncommon to find a household with disrespectful children.
Famous Festivals of the Country
The people of India are highly spiritual and celebrate a large variety of festivals throughout each year to commemorate their religion and spirituality. Ganesh Chaturthi is the festival honoring the birth of the elephant headed god, Lord Ganesha. This festival is celebrated with large floats, festive music, and dancing. The large floats of Lord Ganesha are brought through the streets to be accompanied by the music and dance, then are submerged in the ocean (“The 8 Most Popular Festivals in India.”). Another world renowned holiday is Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors. The festival of Holi celebrates the victories of good over evil and India's spring harvest season. People take heavily pigmented powder and throw it at each other, and afterwards they dance under water sprinklers (“The 8 Most Popular Festivals in India.”). This festival is especially fun and carefree. Many people visiting India come for the experience of Holi and the joy that is felt in its celebration. These two festivals are two of many and only scratch the surface of Indian culture.
The people of India are highly spiritual and celebrate a large variety of festivals throughout each year to commemorate their religion and spirituality. Ganesh Chaturthi is the festival honoring the birth of the elephant headed god, Lord Ganesha. This festival is celebrated with large floats, festive music, and dancing. The large floats of Lord Ganesha are brought through the streets to be accompanied by the music and dance, then are submerged in the ocean (“The 8 Most Popular Festivals in India.”). Another world renowned holiday is Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors. The festival of Holi celebrates the victories of good over evil and India's spring harvest season. People take heavily pigmented powder and throw it at each other, and afterwards they dance under water sprinklers (“The 8 Most Popular Festivals in India.”). This festival is especially fun and carefree. Many people visiting India come for the experience of Holi and the joy that is felt in its celebration. These two festivals are two of many and only scratch the surface of Indian culture.
Challenges for India
Besides their water crisis, India faces many more worsening challenges. Education remains one of India's largest issues today. Privately owned and operated schools are the leading source of this problem. These schools have steadily rising costs that prevent the majority of working class families from sending their children to school. The other option is an education provided and regulated by the state. State owned schools are poor in quality, and have teachers that are only required to attend one out of five days of the school week (Bouissou). Because the youth has not receiving a proper education, India has developed a working class with 487 million workers who do not have the proper skills for many available jobs (Written). Employers have complained about the lack of skill the working class has but this is no fault of the workers. This holds a threat to the future of India's economy and their ability to develop an educated working class.
Besides their water crisis, India faces many more worsening challenges. Education remains one of India's largest issues today. Privately owned and operated schools are the leading source of this problem. These schools have steadily rising costs that prevent the majority of working class families from sending their children to school. The other option is an education provided and regulated by the state. State owned schools are poor in quality, and have teachers that are only required to attend one out of five days of the school week (Bouissou). Because the youth has not receiving a proper education, India has developed a working class with 487 million workers who do not have the proper skills for many available jobs (Written). Employers have complained about the lack of skill the working class has but this is no fault of the workers. This holds a threat to the future of India's economy and their ability to develop an educated working class.
Sanitation and Health Challenges
Sanitation and health are two more challenges that India faces. Half of the deaths in India are caused by infectious diseases and non-communicable disease. Both of these can be caused by environmental factors such as pollution, contaminated water and food sources, and poor sanitation. The lack of sanitation regulation has proven to take many lives. In 2013 alone, 63 million citizens were affected by cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and type 2 diabetes (Written). The decaying health of their nation poses an economic threat if they do not take action soon. By the year 2030 India will lose $6.15 trillion to non-communicable disease and mental disorders meaning the sanitation and health issues will have grown exponentially (Written). India may be close to digging their own grave if they continue to procrastinate on regulating sanitation and health services.
Sanitation and health are two more challenges that India faces. Half of the deaths in India are caused by infectious diseases and non-communicable disease. Both of these can be caused by environmental factors such as pollution, contaminated water and food sources, and poor sanitation. The lack of sanitation regulation has proven to take many lives. In 2013 alone, 63 million citizens were affected by cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and type 2 diabetes (Written). The decaying health of their nation poses an economic threat if they do not take action soon. By the year 2030 India will lose $6.15 trillion to non-communicable disease and mental disorders meaning the sanitation and health issues will have grown exponentially (Written). India may be close to digging their own grave if they continue to procrastinate on regulating sanitation and health services.
The Beauty of India
India's ethnic and cultural diversity and wide variety of wildlife are the crowning elements of its beauty. Being arguably the largest culturally diverse country in the world, India is the home to two thousand ethnic groups (“Demographics of India.”). The harmony and love observed between each ethnic group combined with the differences in each culture charms and enthralls all who experience it. India's wildlife and nature also continues to stun travelers and visitors. India contains hilly jungle regions, rich agricultural plains, massive mountain ranges, and deserts (Hays). These vast biomes display the marvelous natural loveliness that India has to offer but it doesn't end there. India houses numerous gorgeous and endangered species that are threatened due to poachers. These species include the Asian elephant, the royal Bengal tiger, leopards, rhinoceroses, and the Asiatic lion ( “Can You Name 12 Animals from India?”). The beautiful wildlife in India also attracts an abundance of visitors in conjunction with their stunning landscapes. Other wonders of nature in India include Magnetic Hill, the Valley of Flowers, Floating Lake, living root bridges, and Amarnath Cave. (“20 Natural Wonders In India That Are Incredible!”).
India's ethnic and cultural diversity and wide variety of wildlife are the crowning elements of its beauty. Being arguably the largest culturally diverse country in the world, India is the home to two thousand ethnic groups (“Demographics of India.”). The harmony and love observed between each ethnic group combined with the differences in each culture charms and enthralls all who experience it. India's wildlife and nature also continues to stun travelers and visitors. India contains hilly jungle regions, rich agricultural plains, massive mountain ranges, and deserts (Hays). These vast biomes display the marvelous natural loveliness that India has to offer but it doesn't end there. India houses numerous gorgeous and endangered species that are threatened due to poachers. These species include the Asian elephant, the royal Bengal tiger, leopards, rhinoceroses, and the Asiatic lion ( “Can You Name 12 Animals from India?”). The beautiful wildlife in India also attracts an abundance of visitors in conjunction with their stunning landscapes. Other wonders of nature in India include Magnetic Hill, the Valley of Flowers, Floating Lake, living root bridges, and Amarnath Cave. (“20 Natural Wonders In India That Are Incredible!”).
Works Cited
“20 Natural Wonders In India That Are Incredible!” Holidify, 18 Apr. 2017, www.holidify.com/blog/natural-wonders/.
Bouissou, Julien. “Poor State Education in India Threatens the Futures of Millions of Children.”The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 11 Mar. 2014,
“Can You Name 12 Animals from India?” 12 Animals From India, www.teachindiaproject.org/12_Animals_From_India.htm.
“Demographics of India.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Dec. 2017, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_India.
Hays, Jeffrey. “LAND AND GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA.” Facts and Details, factsanddetails.com/india/Nature_Science_Animals/sub7_9a/entry-4264.html.
“India.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 8 Jan. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India
“People & Lifestyle in India.” People and Lifestyle in India, Lifestyle People India - Go For India, www.goforindia.com/people-lifestyle.html.
“The 8 Most Popular Festivals in India.” TripSavvy, www.tripsavvy.com/most-popular-festivals-in-india-1539299.
Written by Viraj Mehta, Head of Regional Strategies - India and South Asia, Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum Geneva. “India's Top 7 Challenges, from Skills to Water Scarcity.” World Economic Forum, www.weforum.org/agenda/2014/11/seven-key-priorities-indias-future/.
Header borrowed from "CheersBye"
http://blog.cheersbye.com/holi-festival/
“20 Natural Wonders In India That Are Incredible!” Holidify, 18 Apr. 2017, www.holidify.com/blog/natural-wonders/.
Bouissou, Julien. “Poor State Education in India Threatens the Futures of Millions of Children.”The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 11 Mar. 2014,
“Can You Name 12 Animals from India?” 12 Animals From India, www.teachindiaproject.org/12_Animals_From_India.htm.
“Demographics of India.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Dec. 2017, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_India.
Hays, Jeffrey. “LAND AND GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA.” Facts and Details, factsanddetails.com/india/Nature_Science_Animals/sub7_9a/entry-4264.html.
“India.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 8 Jan. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India
“People & Lifestyle in India.” People and Lifestyle in India, Lifestyle People India - Go For India, www.goforindia.com/people-lifestyle.html.
“The 8 Most Popular Festivals in India.” TripSavvy, www.tripsavvy.com/most-popular-festivals-in-india-1539299.
Written by Viraj Mehta, Head of Regional Strategies - India and South Asia, Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum Geneva. “India's Top 7 Challenges, from Skills to Water Scarcity.” World Economic Forum, www.weforum.org/agenda/2014/11/seven-key-priorities-indias-future/.
Header borrowed from "CheersBye"
http://blog.cheersbye.com/holi-festival/