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India (Bharat)

India country with diverse terrain, is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. It is known for its cultural wealth, long history and rich cultural heritage.

Key data

*GDP per capita (PPP based in 2021 prices) is a crucial economic metric that measures a country's economic output per person. It's calculated by converting a nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) into international dollars using Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) exchange rates, which reflect the actual cost of living within a country. This adjusted GDP figure is then divided by the total population to determine the average economic output per individual.
World Economics measures variation in the quality of both GDP and population data, by the GDP Data Quality Ratings (GDP DQR) and the Population Data Quality Ratings (PDQR) respectively and employs both scores to assess the overall accuracy of GDP per capita data. [Source: worldeconomics.com]
**Globally, remittance flows are estimated to be USD 905 billion in 2024 and India received maximum Inward remittance, followed by Mexico and China.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs report updated on 26 November 2024, there are 35.4 million non-resident Indians (NRIs) and People of Indian Origins (PIOs) (including OCIs) residing outside India. Every year 2.5 million (25 lakhs) Indians migrate overseas, which is the highest annual number of migrants in the world. The Indian diaspora has been the largest in the world and is a powerful resource for India's government.

Location: Longitudes 68° 7' and 97° 25' East and latitudes 8° 4' and 37° 6' North.
Highest point: Mount Kanchenjunga 8,598 metres and the lowest point is Indian Ocean.
Coastline: 7516.6 km encompassing the mainland, Lakshadweep Islands, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Neighbouring Countries: Shares its borders with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Nepal and Bhutan. India is seperated from Sri Lanka by a narrow channel of sea. Ethnic Groups: All the five major racial types - Australoid, Mongoloid, Europoid, Caucasian, and Negroid find representation among the people of India.
Flag: The Indian National Flag is a horizontal tricolour of deep saffron (kesaria) at the top, white in the middle, and dark green at the bottom in equal proportion. At the centre of the white band is a navy blue wheel, which is a representation of the Ashoka Chakra at Sarnath.
National Days: 26th January (Republic Day); 15th August (Independence Day); 2nd October (Gandhi Jayanti; Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday)

Indian Government

India is a federation with a parliamentary system governed under the Constitution of India, which came into effect on 26 January 1950. Federalism in India defines the power distribution between the union and the states.
The Government of India comprises three branches:
(1) The executive of the Indian government consists of the president, the vice president, and the Union Council of Ministers—with the cabinet being its executive committee—headed by the prime minister.
(2) The legislature of India is the bicameral parliament. Operating under a Westminster-style parliamentary system, it comprises an upper house called the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and a lower house called the Lok Sabha (House of the People).
(3) Judiciary comprising the supreme court, headed by the Chief Justice of India, high courts, and a large number of trial courts.

India is the member of the (British) Common wealth of Nations, a political association of 56 member states. Purpose is to work towards shared goals of prosperity, democracy and peace. It is not a military alliance.Every two years the meeting is held in a different member state and is chaired by that nation's head, who becomes the Commonwealth Chair-in-Office until the next meeting. In 1983, chairperson was Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi.

India is the member of United Nations (UN) and other UN bodies like UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation); and WHO (World Health Organization).

India is also member of many International Organizations such as: BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa); SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation); SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) and NAM (Non-Aligned Movement).

India is also member of many International agencies such as: ADB (Asian Development Bank); IMF (International Monetary Fund); IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency); and ITU (International Telecommunication Union).

Climate

The climate of India can broadly be classified as a tropical monsoon one. But, in spite of much of the northern part of India lying beyond the tropical zone, the entire country has a tropical climate marked by relatively high temperatures and dry winters. There are four seasons:
winter (December-February)
south-west monsoon season (June-September)
post monsoon season (October-November)

Places

Administrative Divisions: 28 States and 8 Union Territories. There are a total of 739 districts in India.
The capital city is New Delhi. Other major cities include Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore.
The mainland comprises of four regions: the great mountain zone; plains of the Ganga and the Indus; the desert region; and the southern peninsula. Extending from the snow-covered Himalayan heights to the tropical rain forests of the south. Bounded by the Great Himalayas in the north, it stretches southwards and at the Tropic of Cancer, tapers off into the Indian Ocean between the Bay of Bengal on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west.
Lying entirely in the northern hemisphere, measures about 3,214 km from north to south and about 2,933 km from east to west.

languages

The 1961 census of India listed 1,652 languages, and 220 Indian languages have died in just the last half-century, with out a trace. Some estimates that one language/dialect is lost every month.
The big six languages - Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil and Urdu - are each spoken by more than 50 million people.
A total of 122 languages are each spoken by more than 10,000 people. India has 22 official languages. Schools teach in 58 different languages. There are newspapers in 87 languages. And, about a dozen major scripts are used to communicate in these languages.
India doesn't have a national language. Hindi and English are both official languages. Indian languages belong to four of the world's major language groups: Indo-European, Dravidian, Austro-Asiatic and Tibeto-Burman.

Religion

Four major world religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism originated there, while Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam arrived in the first millennium CE and shaped the region's diverse culture.
India has the second (or third) highest population of Muslims in the world. The first Muslims in India are thought to have been traders who came to Kerala during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad.
The oldest European church and synagogue in India are in the city of Cochin. Jews and Christians have lived continuously in India since 200 B.C. and 52 A.D. respectively.

Economy

Agriculture is the mainstay of India as it employs more than 50% of the Indian population; the rest are employed in industrial and services sectors. India is among the top five producers of tea, silk, spices, sugar, cotton, rubber, coffee and fish in the world. The Agriculture sector in India accounts for 13.7 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Natural Resources are Coal, iron ore, manganese ore, mica, bauxite, petroleum, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, magnesite, limestone, arable land, dolomite, barytes, kaolin, gypsum, apatite, phosphorite, steatite, fluorite, etc.
India is the largest producer of nitrogenous fertiliser. India ranks 3rd among the coal producing countries. Cement Plants are large consumer of energy and the main source is coal. The iron and steel industry is the largest consumer of energy in the industrial sector using electricity.
India is aggressively working towards establishing itself as a leader in industrialisation and technological development. Significant developments in the nuclear energy sector are likely as India looks to expand its nuclear capacity. Moreover, nanotechnology is expected to transform the Indian pharmaceutical industry.
India has the world's largest film industry. More than 1,100 movies are produced, on average, each year, twice as many as the American film industry and ten times as many as Britain produces.

Trade

In FY2023-24, India imported in 678.21 billions USD, more than 437.07 exports billions USD. Total trade value was 1.12 trillion USD. Top trading partners are: 1) USA (10.73%); 2) China (10.62%); 3) UAE (7.50%); 4) Russia (5.87%); 5) Saudi Arabia (3.85%); and 6) Singapore (3.19%);

Natural dangers

Natural HazardsMonsoon floods, flash floods, earthquakes, droughts, and landslides. Environment - Current IssuesAir pollution control, energy conservation, solid waste management, oil and gas conservation, forest conservation, etc.

Science & Technology

The Government aims to invest 2 per cent of the country’s GDP on research and development (R&D) in its 12th Five-Year Plan period (2013-17). At present, the country has a total of 16 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), 30 National Institutes of Technology (NITs), 162 universities awarding about 4,000 doctorate and 35,000 post-graduate degrees, and about 40 research laboratories run by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Modern India is one of the few nations to have gone into outer space. The country has regularly undertaken space missions, including missions to the moon and the famed Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). 27 satellites including 11 that facilitate the communication network to the country are operational. The space budget includes funds for Aditya-1, India’s first satellite to study the Sun, and is intended to launch after 2017.
India is gradually becoming self-reliant in nuclear technology. Recently, the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project Unit-1 (KKNPP 1) with 1,000 MW capacity was commissioned, while the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project Unit-2 (KKNPP-2) with 1,000 MW capacity is under commissioning.
India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) aims to study the properties of atmospheric neutrinos, which are subatomic particles produced by the decay of radioactive elements. An initiative Marine Advanced Simulation Training (MAST) centre is among the world’s most advanced simulation centres, and would be a part of the ongoing efforts of MOL and its partner Synergy Group, a ship management firm with over 100 vessels under its management, to step up recruitment of seafarers from India.
There are plans to establish an Indian Innovation Centre (IIC) and all states of the country will be its members.
MNCs have shifted or are shifting their research and development (R&D) base to India. In India, Global Capability centers (GCCs) of more than 1,400 MNCs (multinational corporations) employ 1.3 million highly skilled people with a revenue of USD 36 billion in 2021. Nasscom projects that by 2025 India could have 2,000 GCCs employing 2 million people and generating USD 60 billion of revenue.
India is also expected to witness strong growth in its agriculture and pharmaceutical sectors as the government is investing large sums to set up dedicated research centres for R&D in these sectors. The Indian IT industry is also expected to add to the development of the R&D sector.
National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), an autonomous organisation under the Union Ministry of Culture, is engaged in the establishment of Science Centres across the country.

Electronics, IT and Telecom Industry

  1. Telephone Subscriber Base 1,190.66 million [Sep 2024]
  2. Tele density 84.69 [Sep 2024]
  3. Internet Subscribers 971.50 million [Sep 2024]
  4. Broadband subscribers 944.39 million [Sep 2024]
  5. Mobile Internet Subscribers 926.86 million [Sep 2024]
  6. Active Internet users 886 million [2024 estimate]
  7. eCommerce 123 billion USD [2024]
  8. Production of Electronics Sector 8.2 trillion Rupees [FY 2022-23]
  9. IT-ITeS industry Revenue 282.6 billion USD [FY 2024-25 est]
  10. IT-ITeS export Revenue 223.7 billion USD [FY 2024-25 est]
  11. Employment in IT-ITeS Industry 5.8 million [FY 2024-25 est]

History

India had broken off from an ancient supercontinent Gondwanaland and was moving slowly northwards. About 50 million years ago, the India continental plate collided with Asia, buckling the coastal area of both continents and creating the Himalayas - the world's youngest and the highest mountain range. Evidence of this is provided by fossilised sea shells that can still be found high in the mountains. The plate on which the subcontinent rests continues to press slowly northwards, and is the reason why the height of Mount Everest increases slightly every year.
Indus/Sarswathi civilization, Vedic, early Tamil sangams age – 7000-4000 BC
Indo-Iranian, Dravidian civilisation – 3000-2000 BC
Mass migration – evolution of Indian/Hindu culture – 1500BC - 700AD *Hindu refers to culture of people east of Indus.

Who are we Indians?
Difficult to say, with so much of invasion, immigration and interaction with rest of the world. Many empires have disappeared, with out a trace including last British empire after second world war. Today, India is a plural society and a repository of multiplicity of cultures and more than thousands of tribes..
Indian maritime history dates back 5,000 years. The first tidal dock is believed to have been built at Lothal around 2300 BC during the Indus Valley Civilisation. The Rig Veda written around 1500 BC, credits Varuna with knowledge of the ocean routes and describes naval expeditions. There is reference to the side wings of a vessel called Plava, which give stability to the ship under storm conditions. The earliest known reference to an organisation devoted to ships in ancient India is to the Mauryan Empire from the 4th century BC. Powerful militaries included those of the Maurya, Gupta, Satavahana, Chola, Vijayanagara, Mughal and Maratha empires.

Ancient Indian empire

Indian subcontinent has seen some of the greatest and vast empires in the ancient world. Most of the time, Indian subcontinent had many independent kingdoms, with few large ones. Large empires was very rare (15% of the time). Borders were also changing, like any other country in the world. For any country's border, one has to specify when, and during whose rule.
Ten large Indian empires in million Sqkm (period or year) are:
1 ) Mauryan Empire 5.0 [250 BCE]
2 ) British India 4.5 [1911 CE]
3 ) Mughal Empire 4.0 [1690 CE]
4 ) Gupta Empire 3.5 [400 CE]
5 ) Indian Republic 3.29 [Present]
6 ) Delhi Sultanate 3.2 [1312 CE]
7 ) Maratha Empire 2.5 [1760 CE]
8 ) Kushan Empire 2.0 [200 CE]
9 ) Harsha Empire 1.0 [648 CE]
10) Gurjara-Pratihara 1.0 [860 CE]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_empires_in_India

Large 10 Global Empires in million Sqkm (period or year) are:
1 British Empire 35.5 [1920 CE]
2 Mongol Empire 24.0 [1270/1309 CE]
3 Russian Empire 22.8 [1895 CE]
4 Qing dynasty 14.7 [1790 CE]
5 Spanish Empire 13.7 [1810 CE]
6 French colonial empire 11.5[1920 CE]
7 Abbasid Caliphate 11.1 [750 CE]
8 Umayyad Caliphate 11.1 [720 CE]
9 Yuan dynasty 11.0 [1310 CE]
10 Xiongnu Empire 9.0 [176 BC]

European Influence

Dates/Years are approximate.

Indian Republic

Starting with the Portuguese, Spanish, French and British tried to get the best trading rights from the ruling Mughals and other rulers in the 17th century. As native Indian empires declined, they took territories like Goa, Pondicherry, Calcutta and slowly many parts of India (traders becoming landlords/rulers). After second world war, these countries left their colonies or oversea territories. Indian Republic and Pakistan was born in 1947 from the land vacated by European powers.

People and Population

Ancient India had more hunter gathers. But with agriculture, our resources as well as population expanded.
Indian Subcontinenet population was around 30 million during Mauryas (300 BCE). Grew to 70 million during medieval era (1000 AD). 150 million during Mughal era. In the early 18th century, the average life expectancy in Mughal India was 35 years. Compared to 34 years in England, 30 years in France, and about 25 years in Prussia. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_India]

There were thousands of tribes and languages in India accounting for more than 85% of population, reduced to 8.6% (as per the 2011 Census). Many tribes were assimilated, including their language. The tribal people throughout the country have rich traditions, cultures and heritage with unique lifestyles and customs. Commemorating the sacrifice of Tribal freedom fighters and marking their legacy, the Union Government decided to observe the birth anniversary of one of the great Freedom Fighters, Bhagwan Birsa Munda, as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas with effect from 15 Nov 2021. This declaration acknowledges the glorious history of tribal communities and recognizes their efforts towards the preservation of cultural heritage. There are many initiatives, for bringing the tribal communities into the mainstream while honouring their cultures, legacies and ways of life. India will prosper when our tribal communities prosper, Welfare of tribal communities is our foremost priority. [pib.gov.in]
Droupadi Murmu born to a tribal Santali family won the 2022 presidential election. She was a former teacher, first president belonging to a tribal community and the first president born in independent India. She is also the youngest person to occupy the post (at 64).

According to the Indian census, carried out in 2011, the population of India was exactly 1,210,193,422, which means India has crossed the 1-billion mark. This is the second most populous country of the world after China and the various studies have projected that India will be world’s number-1 populous country, surpassing China, by 2025.

Indian dress

Along with western dress, Turkish/Arbian dresses like pyjama and kurtha have been accepted as Indian dress. Traditional saree is still popular.
Traditional Sarongs/dothis/lungis, less popular in India, are worn by both men and women in many parts of the world, especially in south and southeast Asia. Sarongs are extremely comfortable, striking, and versatile.

Men and women used to dress similar in Ancient times. Lower garment is Sarong or Dhoti. Upper garment is draped in various styles. Stitched garments are not encouraged and derided as “Mlechha” dress. Due to influence of Persians a small number of western parts of India started adopting trousers as a part of the dress. In many South Indian temples and religious rituals, it is tradition to wear cloths without any type of stitching.

Unique to India

National Songs: Lyrics in English and Tamil:

National motto of India: सत्यमेव जयते satyam-eva jayate
Means Truth alone triumphs or in Tamil வாய்மையே வெல்லும்)
It is inscribed in Devanagari lipi at the base of the national emblem, which is an adaptation of the Buddhist Lion of Asoka at Sarnath

National Anthem

Vande Mataram by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay

Vande Maataram, vande maataram
Sujalam sufalam malayaja-shitalaam
Shashya-shyaamala maataram! Vande maataram
வந்தே மாதரம்! வந்தே மாதரம்!
சுஜலாம் சுபலாம் | மலயஜ சீதலாம்
ஷஸ்ய ஷியாமளாம் | மாதரம் | வந்தே மாதரம்
I bow to thee! Rich with thy hurrying streams, bright with orchard gleams, Cool with thy winds of delight, Dark fields waving Mother of might!

Shubhra-jyotsna-pulakita yaaminim
Phulakusumati-drumadala shobhinim
Suhaasini sumadhur bhaashinim
Sukhada varada maataram| Vande maataram
ஷுப்ர ஜ்யோத்ஸன புலகித யாமினிம்
புல்லகுஸுமித த்ருமதல ஷோபினிம்
சுஹாசினிம் சுமதுர பாஷினிம்
சுகதாம் வரதாம் மாதரம் | வந்தே மாதரம்
Glory of moonlight dreams, Over thy branches and lordly streams, Clad in thy blossoming trees, Mother, giver of ease Laughing low and sweet! Mother I kiss thy feet, Speaker sweet and low! Mother, to thee I bow.

Koti Koti Kantha Kalakalaninada Karaale
Koti Koti Bhujaidhritakharakaravale
Abalaa Keno Maa Eto Bale
Bahubaladharinim Namami Tarinim
Ripudalavarinim Maataram | Vande Mataram
கோடி கோடி கண்ட கலகல நினாத கராலே
கோடி கோடி புஜைர் த்ருத கர கரவாலே
அபலா கெனோ மா நமாமி தாரிணீம்
பஹுபல தாரிணீம் நமாமி தாரிணீம்
ரிபுதல வாரிணீம் மாதரம் வந்தே மாதரம்
Who hath said thou art weak in thy lands When the sword flesh out in the seventy million hands And seventy million voices roar Thy dreadful name from shore to shore? With many strengths who art mighty and stored, To thee I call Mother and Lord! Though who savest, arise and save! To her I cry who ever her foeman drove Back from plain and Sea And shook herself free.

Tumi Vidyaa Tumi Dharma
Tumi Hridi Tumi Marma
Tvam Hi Pranah Sharire Baahute Tumi Maa Shakti
Hridaye Tumi Maa Bhakti
Tomaara Pratima Gadi | Mandire Mataram | Vande Mataram
துமி வித்யா திமி தர்ம
துமி ருதி துமி மர்ம த்வம் ஹி ப்ராணா சரீரே
பாஹுதே துமி மா சக்தி
ருதயே துமி மா பக்தி
தோமாரயி ப்ரதிமா கடி | மந்திரே மாதரம் | வந்தே மாதரம்
Thou art wisdom, thou art law, Thou art heart, our soul, our breath Though art love divine, the awe In our hearts that conquers death. Thine the strength that nervs the arm, Thine the beauty, thine the charm. Every image made divine In our temples is but thine.

Tvam Hi Durga Dashapraharanadharini
Kamala Kamaladala Vihaarini
Vani Vidyadayini Namami Tvam
Namami Kamalam Amalam Atulam
Sujalam Suphalam Maataram
Shyaamalam Saralam Susmitam Bhushhitam
Dharanim Bharanim Maataram | Vande Mataram...
த்வம் ஹி துர்கா தசப்ரஹண தாரிணீம்
கமலாம் கமலதல விஹாரிணீம்
வாணீ வித்யா தாயினீம் நமாமி த்வாம்
நமாமி கமலாம் அமலாம் அதுலாம்
சுஜலாம் சுபலாம் மாதரம் வந்தே மாதரம்
ச்யாமளாம் சரளாம் ஸுஸ்மிதாம் புஷிதாம்
தரணீம் பரணீம் மாதரம் | வந்தே மாதரம் | வந்தே மாதரம்
Thou art Durga, Lady and Queen, With her hands that strike and her swords of sheen, Thou art Lakshmi lotus-throned, And the Muse a hundred-toned, Pure and perfect without peer, Mother lend thine ear, Rich with thy hurrying streams, Bright with thy orchard gleems, Dark of hue O candid-fairIn thy soul, with jewelled hair And thy glorious smile divine, Lovilest of all earthly lands, Showering wealth from well-stored hands! Mother, mother mine! Mother sweet, I bow to thee, Mother great and free!

Bharata Maata Ki Jay!!!
பாரத மாதா கீ ஜெய்

Paarukkulae nalla nadu

பாருக்குள்ளே நல்ல நாடு பாரத நாடு
சரித்திர பழம்பெரும் நாடு
அரசியல் நெறிவளர்த்த ஆன்மிக நாடு
மக்கள் ஒன்றுகூடி வாழ்ந்த (வாழும்) நாடு
இதை கவிதையிலே உணர்த்தியவர் பல பேரு

Paarukkulae nalla nadu Song by Bharathiyar:
பாருக்குள்ளே நல்ல நாடு - எங்கள் பாரத நாடு.
ஞானத்திலே பரமோனத்திலே - உயர்
மானத்திலே அன்னதானத்திலே
கானத்திலே அமுதாக நிறைந்த
கவிதையிலே உயர் நாடு - இந்தப் (பாருக்குள்ளே)
My India is a great and good country in the world,
In wisdom, in divine thought,
In respectability, in charity and feeding all
In music and in poetry drenched with nectar,

தீரத்திலே படை வீரத்திலே - நெஞ்சில்
ஈரத்திலே உபகாரத்திலே
சாரத்திலே மிகு சாத்திரங் கண்டு
தருவதிலே உயர் நாடு - இந்தப் (பாருக்குள்ளே)
In bravery, in valour, in helping and compassion,
In spirituality and science, It is a great country.

நன்மையிலே உடல் வன்மையிலே - செல்வப்
பன்மையிலே மறத் தன்மையிலே
பொன்மயிலொத்திடும் மாதர்தம் கற்பின்
புகழினிலே உயர் நாடு - இந்தப் (பாருக்குள்ளே)
In goodness , in physical strength, in wealth,
in patriotism, in the chastity of women or virtue of women,
who are like golden peacock, It is a great country.

ஆக்கத்திலே தொழில் ஊக்கத்திலே - புய
வீக்கத்திலே உயர் நோக்கத்திலே
காக்கத் திறல்கொண்ட மல்லர்தம் சேனைக்
கடலினிலே உயர் நாடு - இந்தப் (பாருக்குள்ளே)
In creativity, job skills, financial knowledge
In sea like army of brave people capable of protecting the country,
It is a great country.

வண்மையிலே உளத் திண்மையிலே - மனத்
தண்மையிலே மதி நுண்மையிலே
உண்மையிலே தவறாத புலவர்
உணர்வினிலே உயர் நாடு - இந்தப் (பாருக்குள்ளே)
In strength , in greatness and clarity of mind
In intellect, In truth and in fairness of poets, It is a great country.

யாகத்திலே தவ வேகத்திலே - தனி
யோகத்திலே பல போகத்திலே
ஆகத்திலே தெய்வ பக்திகொண்டார்தம்
அருளினிலே உயர் நாடு - இந்தப் (பாருக்குள்ளே)
In nature worship/rituals, in penance , In the art,
in yoga , in physical and mental recreations,
In belief in divine and faith, It is a great country.

ஆற்றினிலே சுனை யூற்றினிலே - தென்றல்
காற்றினிலே மலைப் பேற்றினிலே
ஏற்றினிலே பயன் ஈந்திடுங் காலி
இனத்தினிலே உயர் நாடு - இந்தப் (பாருக்குள்ளே)
In rivers, in springs of streams, in slow breezes,
In respecting mountains and land,
In productive animals, It is a great country.

தோட்டத்திலே மரக் கூட்டத்திலே - கனி
ஈட்டத்திலே பயிர் ஊட்டத்திலே
தேட்டத்திலே அடங்காத நதியின்
சிறப்பினிலே உயர் நாடு - இந்தப் (பாருக்குள்ளே)
In the garden and forest with large number of trees,
In fruit harvest, in the healthy crops and fertile agriculture,
In the natural treasure, It is a great country.

Blue print for development of Bharat

Mahakavi Bharathiyar sings about the possible development of Bharat or India. The ideas can be a blue print for Indian ambitions and development
பாரத தேசமென்று பெயர் சொல்லுவார் - மிடிப்
பயங்கொல்லுவார் துயர்ப்பகை வெல்லுவார்.
Whoever pronounces the name India will completely remove the fear of poverty. He will conquer the enmity of sorrows and sorrows.

வெள்ளிப் பனிமலையின் மீதுலவுவோம் - அடி
மேலைக் கடல்முழுதும் கப்பல் விடுவோம்
பள்ளித் தலமனைத்தும் கோயில் செய்குவோம், எங்கள்
பாரத தேசமென்று தோள்கொட்டுவோம். (பாரத)
Vision: We will walk on the top of the Himalayas. We will cast wooden vessels in the seas of the east and the west. We will make all educational institutions as sacred as temples of God. We will proudly say that it is our Indian nation and we will clap our shoulders.

சிங்களத் தீவினுக்கோர் பாலம் அமைப்போம்,
சேதுவை மேடுறுத்தி வீதி சமைப்போம்
வங்கத்தில் ஓடிவரும் நீரின் மிகையால்
மையத்து நாடுகளில் பயிர் செய்குவோம். (பாரத)
Linking water bodies: We will build a bridge to the island of Sri Lanka. We will raise the bridge between India and Sri Lanka and build a road. We will divert the excess water of the rivers flowing in Bangladesh and we will cultivate in the central states of India.

வெட்டுக் கனிகள் செய்து தங்கம் முதலாம்
வேறு பலபொருளும் குடைந்தெடுப்போம்,
எட்டுத் திசைகளிலுஞ் சென்றிவை விற்றே
எண்ணும் பொருளனைத்தும் கொண்டு வருவோம். (பாரத)
Mineral wealth and Trade: We will dig mines and dig out many other minerals such as gold and other minerals. We will take these to all the countries in the eight directions and trade (from those countries) and bring all the goods we want to India.

முத்துக் குளிப்பதொரு தென் கடலிலே,
மொய்த்து வணிகர்பல நாட்டினர் வந்தே,
நத்தி நமக்கினிய பொருள் கொணர்ந்தே
நம்மருள் வேண்டுவது மேற்கரையிலே. (பாரத)
Wealth from Sea: We kiss the southern sea. Merchants of various countries also come and gather, wanting the goods we like, and standing on the western coast asking for our support. *India has long coast line

சிந்து நதியின்மிசை நிலவினிலே
சேர நன்னாட்டிளம் பெண்களுடனே
சுந்தரத் தெலுங்கினிற் பாட்டிசைத்துத்
தோணிகளோட்டி விளையாடிவரு வோம். (பாரத)
Cultural Exchange: On a beautiful night when the moon is shining, let us sing songs in the sweet Telugu language on the Indus River, along with the beautiful girls of Kerala, and let us have fun by rowing boats.

கங்கை நதிப்புறத்துக் கோதுமைப் பண்டம்
காவிரி வெற்றிலைக்கு மாறுகொள்ளுவோம்
சிங்க மராட்டியர்தம் கவிதை கொண்டு
சேரத்துத் தந்தங்கள் பரிசளிப்போம். (பாரத)
Domestic Trade: Let us exchange wheat grains from the Ganges River for betel leaves from the Cauvery River. Let us gift the elephant tusks from Kerala for the poems of the lion-like Marathi people.

காசி நகர்ப்புலவர் பேசும் உரை தான்
காஞ்சியில் கேட்பதற்கோர் கருவிசெய்வோம்
ராசபுத் தானத்து வீரர் தமக்கு
நல்லியற் கன்னடத்துத் தங்கம் அளிப்போம். (பாரத)
Let us make a device so that we can listen to the discourses of the people of Kashi as if they were there, here in Kanchi. Let us give the warriors of Rajasthan the best gold mined in Karnataka.

பட்டினில் ஆடையும் பஞ்சினில் உடையும்
பண்ணி மலைகளென வீதி குவிப்போம்
கட்டித் திரவியங்கள் கொண்டு வருவார்
காசினி வணிகருக்கு அவை கொடுப்போம் (பாரத)
We will make various kinds of clothes from silk and cotton and pile them up like mountains on the streets. We will sell them to the merchants of the world who bring us vast wealth.

ஆயுதம் செய்வோம் நல்ல காகிதம் செய்வோம்
ஆலைகள் வைப்போம் கல்விச் சாலைகள் வைப்போம்
ஒயுதல் செய்யோம் தலைசாயுதல் செய்யோம்
உண்மைகள் சொல்வோம் பல வண்மைகள் செய்வோம். (பாரத)
Let us make weapons, let us make good paper. Let us build factories, let us build educational institutions. Let us be alert and active at all times. let us get rid of fatigue and laziness. Let us tell the truth, and do many great and difficult things.

குடைகள் செய்வோம் உழுபடைகள் செய்வோம்
கோணிகள் செய்வோம் இரும்பாணிகள் செய்வோம்
நடையும் பறப்புமுணர் வண்டிகள் செய்வோம்
ஞாலம் நடுங்கவரும் கப்பல்கள் செய்வோம் (பாரத)
We will make umbrellas. We will create plows. We will produce sacks. We will make nails of iron. We will create vehicles that can travel by land and by air. We will build ships that the whole world will fear about our advanced engineering capabilities.

மந்திரம் கற்போம் வினைத்தந்திரம் கற்போம்
வானையளப்போம் கடல் மீனையளப்போம்
சந்திர மண்டலத்தியல் கண்டுதெளிவோம்
சந்திதெருப் பெருக்கும் சாத்திரம் கற்போம். (பாரத)
Let us study the Vedas. Let us learn the subtleties of performing various actions and understand them. Let us explore the sky. Let us explore the marine creatures such as fish. Let us explore and understand the true state of the moon. Let us learn and use the knowledge to build more squares and roads.

காவியம் செய்வோம் நல்ல காடு வளர்ப்போம்
கலை வளர்ப்போம் கொல்லருலைவளர்ப்போம்
ஓவியம் செய்வோம் நல்ல ஊசிகள் செய்வோம்
உலகத் தொழிலனைத்து முவந்து செய்வோம். (பாரத )
We will compose epics. We will maintain the best forests. We will promote the fine arts. We will also improve the profession of blacksmiths. We will paint. We will manufacture many tools that help in crafts, such as needles. We will do all the professions that exist in this world with enthusiasm.

சாதி இரண்டொழிய வேறில்லை யென்றே
தமிழ்மகள் சொல்லிய சொல் அமிழ்தமென்போம்
நீதி நெறியினின்று பிறர்க்குதவும்
நேர்மையர் மேலவர், கீழவர் மற்றோர். (பாரத)
Let us celebrate the saying of the Tamils ​​that there is no other caste in the world except the two castes, saying that it is as sweet as nectar; it can give us immortality. The upper caste is the good person who does good to others without straying from the path of virtue. The lower caste is the one who does not do good to others.

Invocation to Mother Tamil by Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai

நீராரும் கடல் உடுத்த நிலமடந்தைக் கெழிலொழுகும்
சீராரும் வதனமெனத் திகழ்பரதக் கண்டமிதில்
தெக்கணமும் அதிற்சிறந்த திராவிட நல் திருநாடும்
தக்கசிறு பிறைநுதலும் தரித்தநறும் திலகமுமே!
அத்திலக வாசனைபோல் அனைத்துலகும் இன்பமுற,
எத்திசையும் புகழ்மணக்க இருந்த பெரும் தமிழணங்கே! தமிழணங்கே!
௨ன் சீரிளமைத் திறம்வியந்து | செயல் மறந்து வாழ்த்துதுமே!
வாழ்த்துதுமே! வாழ்த்துதுமே!

Bharath is like the face of world land mass clad in wavy seas; Deccan is her brow crescent-like on which the fragrant 'Tilak' is the blessed Dravidian land. Like the fragrance of that 'Tilak' plunging the world in joy supreme reigns Goddess Tamil with renown spread far and wide. Praise unto You, Goddess Tamil, whose majestic youthfulness, inspires awe and ecstasy."

National Days

  1. 12th January National Youth Day
  2. 15th January Army Day
  3. 23rd January National Patriotism Day (Netaji Subhas Chandra’s Birthday)
  4. 25th January India Tourism Day
  5. 26th January Republic Day: India is a federation with a parliamentary system governed under the Constitution of India, which came into effect on 26 January 1950. The Indian constitution was crafted by leaders like Dr BR Ambedkar, Dr Rajendra Prasad, B.N. Rau and many others. *At 145,000 words, it is the longest written constitution of any sovereign state in the world. The US constitution, by contrast, has only 4,400 words. 26 January 1930: Declaration of Purna Swaraj
  6. 30th January National Cleanliness Day
  7. 4th -10th March National Safety Week
  8. 7th –14th April Handloom Week
  9. 14th –20th April Fire Service Week
  10. 22nd April World Earth Day
  11. 23rd April World Book Day
  12. 1st May International Labour Day / May Day
  13. 5th May National Labour Day
  14. 11th May: National Technology Day - nuclear test Operation Shakti and maiden flight of the indigenously developed Hansa-3 aircraft. (Smiling Buddha was the code name of India's first successful nuclear test on 18 May 1974, in the Pokhran desert of Rajasthan.)
  15. 24th May Common-Wealth Day
  16. 15th August Independence Day in India. It celebrates the date in 1947 when the Indian Independence Act came into effect, which established India and Pakistan as separate countries. Korea (Both North and South), Bahrain, Lichtenstein and Democratic Republic of Congo also celebrates Independence Day on 15th August
  17. 5th September: Teachers' Day to honor educators' contributions in shaping the nation's future. (the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan)
  18. 1st -7th September National Nutrition Week
  19. 15th September: Engineers' Day from1967 as “” to commemorate the birthday of the legendary engineer Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya.
  20. 1st October Blood Donation Day
  21. 2nd October: Gandhi Jayanti
  22. 8th October Air Force Day
  23. 10th October National Post Day
  24. 31st October Anti -Terrorism Day (Indira Gandhi’s Death Anniversary)
  25. 2nd November All Saints Day
  26. 14 November: Children's Day to raise awareness about the rights, education, and welfare of children. (birthday of the first prime minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru)
  27. 2nd December National Pollution Control Day
  28. 3rd December National Conservation Day
  29. 4th December Naval Day
  30. 7th December Flag Day
  31. 8th December SAARC Day (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation)
  32. 8th -14th December All India Handicrafts Week
  33. 14th December Energy Conservation Day

Borders with Neighbours

India shares land borders with:
1) Bangladesh 4,096 kilometres
2) China 3,488 kilometres
3) Pakistan 3,320 kilometres
4) Nepal 1,752 kilometres
5) Myanmar 1,643 kilometres
6) Bhutan 578 kilometres

Some Notes on Neighbours

Nepal is one of the oldest Countries in all of Asia, and was never colonized. 8 of the world’s top 10 tallest Mountains lies in Nepal including the tallest of them all, Mount Everest. Gautam Buddha, who is a founder of Buddhist religion was born in Nepal, in a place called Lumbini. Nepal is very diverse Country with nearly 123 ethnic groups, and more than 100 languages. Nepal is also diverse geographically, with plains, Hills and mountains. Nepal also is one of two Hindu majority Countries in the world.

Both India and Iran share a common heritage. Ancient Sanskrit and Avestan the ancient Language of Iran are closely related. Iran is named from the Aryan origin of Iran. In ancient times India was also known as Aryavrat or land of Aryans.

Country, I (anyone) would like:

1) The citizens should feel a safe and secured life.
2) Basic needs should be made available at affordable cost to everyone. No need for handouts (no free lunch). Tax in any form is a burden to the people, So should be minimum, just to run an efficient government
3) Race (including caste), language and belief must disappear from selecting people for any job. Right person for the right job. Wrong person in any position will damage organizations by wrong actions and will also prevent capable people to work. A country and its subjects should not envy and condemn skills/knowledge/hardwork, but rather, make best use of them in the interest of the development of everyone. Enough Opportunities for every one to make a decent living based on their skills/expertise.
4) Freedom to be unique/different. Individuals can have/express their views with out hurting others.
5) Amity within the country and with other countries.

Some web sites

  1. India Map
  2. Survey of India Map

Indian Time line (Main rulers)

BC or BCE (Before the Current or Common Era) is the era before CE or AD
There were thousands of tribes and languages in India accounting for more than 85% of population, reduced to 8.6% (as per the 2011 Census). Many tribes were assimilated, including their language.

Names for India

Indian subcontinent was known as Bharat, India, and Hindustan. A section of Constitution Drafting Committee Members prefer the old name Bharat, while the other section found the name India more favorable. Article 1 of Constitution begins: "India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States. So, the Constitution uses both the titles Bharat and India.

(1) Names based on geography, type of land and vegetation:
1 Sind due to location of lands east of Indus river, by Greeks/Persians frome the west. Became Yindu, Hindustan, etc. Sind became India
2 Himavat Pradesha: Himalayan hilly regions and farther lands. Hima means cold, icy and snowy.
3 Tianzhu" (天竺) may be phonetic transcription of the word "Sindhu," or the Indus River. Might have become Japanese "Tenjiku" (天竺)
4 Land on Rivers like Ganges, Yamuna etc .
5 Dravida were based on land surrounded by seas (drava meaning water). Dravida, where three stretches of waters met (the Indian Ocean, the Arabic Sea and the Bay of Bengal). The name Dravida is a sandhi word combining dravya meaning water and vida meaning a meeting place.
6 Jambudvipa: the continent of the sacred jambul or jamun fruit.
7 Food capital சோறநாடு (சோழ நாடு சோறுடைத்து): Chola land is known for its food or granary capital of the world. Similarly names given to Gangetic plains by silk route traders
*Sind changed it to hind. With h silent, hind became ind.

(2) Names based on rulers or great people:
1 Bharata Varsha is land ruled by King Bharata Chakravartin, son of Lord Rishabdeva
2 Aryavarta based on race or Arya ruling clans
3 Land Aja Nabha Varsa or Ajanabha: Aja (from Lord Brahma) Nabha (centre or navel) Varsa (space).
4 Nabhivarsa - Ruled by King Agnidhra eldest son, Nabhi.
5 Ilavativarsa - as large Indian empire

(3) Title names by others. This can motivate people to be great citizens, by learning about their past glory/achievements.
1 Karma bhumi means land of action. Roughly 300-550 CE is considered a golden age in India due to its rich contributions to various fields, including arts, literature, science, and technology. Empire was peaceful with strong and Just rule. People were sincere and professional, working with passion. So titles were give like karma boomi (duty bound) and punya boomi (land where great peole are living) This is documented in Udaygiri in Siddham script. *Similarly there were golden age during great pallavas, cholas, pandyas etc
2 Moksha Bhumi refers to many enlightened people south of Himalayas. Tibetan lamas & authors also started to refer to India as the Phagyul, short for Phags yul, meaning the land of noble, holy, enlightened people.
3 Pavitra Bhumi is the land of the pure. Sky or Heavenly land, may refers to High himalayan region known for monastries and religious studies.
4 Yoga Bhumi refers to source of yoga teachers from this land.
*Title names like karma-punya boomi are apt, if people are sincere, truthful and great. If People are corrupt, karma bumi will become corrupt bumi. Giving a name vellaiswamy to dark person, will not make one white. Beggar can have a name "Raja or King".

Kala pani (taboo): Contradictions

Kala pani translates to black water. Kala pani or sea voyage was a taboo. Hindus could lose their caste and social status if they crossed the sea. Some texts like Baudhayana Dharmasutra discussed the dangers of oceanic voyages and described undertaking a sea voyage as a sin. Interestingly, this tradition contradicts many historical writings and scriptures.

But, there are references to instruments like magnetic compass or ‘Matsya Yantra’ for use during sea travels in ancient India. Big empires and dynasties like Maurya, Satavahana, Chola, Vijayanagara and Kalinga are known for sea trade. In particular, the Cholas are known to have excelled in foreign trade and maritime activity, extending their influence overseas to Southeast Asia and China. This made the Chola empire, one of the richest empires at that time.
Overseas travel taboo: For health reasons, returning sailors and merchants would have isolated themselves for some time (quarantine sort of thing). This could have been the starting point for taboo. But it is not clear why and when such taboo or restrictions were taken seriously.

Some religious leaders quote India as Karma-punya boomi, and any rituals/karmas done will be effective only in India. They add that other places are not suitable for religious activities. This contradicts basic definition of God/brahman, who is defined to be every where and impartial and accessible to all. God is supposed to be universal, beyond race/country/language etc. Hinduism is an universal faith based on logic and science.

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Administrator:NARA is a Consultant by profession and an Engineer by qualification. Nara holds an Engineering Masters degree and have worked 25 years for leading organizations.
Now working part time on country/technology research projects and Maintaining community Web sites.
Spending more time to pursue his interests on studying: ancient scriptures; maths & astronomy; physics; philosophy; history & culture and so on.