India Ways to fill the Days

I am India Global video responce by Roni

2010-12-02T10:16:00.000-08:00

Photo compliments of google

The first video was an example of Globalization upon India. Many rural areas still exist and poverty is prevalent. Within the country many advancements with farming, health care, steel mills, and computer based jobs have been created. Because of this many opportunities have been given to India in the pursuit of higher knowledge. This process is always a benefit for a culture because of wealth, community, and easier living standards. Globalization has only occurred because of cultural integration. Transference of techniques in farming have improved nutrition. Due to western medicine practises India has adopted other forms of health care besides traditional religious practices. Thanks to the industrial revolution the steady evolution to modern technology has segwayd to the booming economic standing India holds. Don't even get me started on Bolywood, culture relativism at its best.

Works Cited

youtube.com
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://onlinetwitts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/bpo-outsourcing2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://onlinetwitts.com/the-bpo-history-of-india/&usg=__hG1nF49b6lKQPWh7iDPNJZG_eBA=&h=534&w=400&sz=264&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=uPzgT0TtElgPBM:&tbnh=134&tbnw=108&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dglobalization%2Bof%2Bindia%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1039%26bih%3D820%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=457&ei=C-L3TNOfH4KClAeyvsmNAg&oei=C-L3TNOfH4KClAeyvsmNAg&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0&tx=37&ty=100

2010-12-02T10:15:00.000-08:00

(girls-fashions.com)

POLITICS an LUNATICS by Roni

2010-12-02T08:23:00.000-08:00

HEALTH CARE
" Two traditional medicine practices include ayurvedic (meaning science of life) system, which deals with causes, symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment based on all aspects of well-being (mental, physical, and spiritual), and the unani (so-called Galenic medicine) herbal medical practice. A vaidya is a practitioner of the ayurvedic tradition, and a hakim (Arabic for a Muslim physician) is a practitioner of the unani tradition. These professions are frequently hereditary. A variety of institutions offer training in indigenous medical practice. Only in the late 1970s did official health policy refer to any form of integration between Western-oriented medical personnel and indigenous medical practitioners." (cited from indianchild.com)
Sense 1970 India has steadily grown to become one of the leading countries with reliable health care.

We simply can not mention politics without talking about Gandhi. One of the most globally influential activists and philosopher. He lead non violent reformations to stand against tyranny. Rightfully so, India's political system does not expect candidates running for positions to have a squeaky clean reputation. In 2004 alone 540 officials elected to Parliament had a criminal record. Top it off Abu Salem who is solely responsible for plotting and murdering hundreds of people in the blast of Mumbai, decided to compete to be a proper candidate to rule over India. The judicial system looks nothing short of dysfunctional, but its not to say India is not a strong country.

Sense 1947 JawaharLal Nehru who finished his long running prime minster duties the economic state of India has really improved. Nutrition being one of the most important things that became better. Welfare of India's people really improved with better means of work and food.

Negative aspects of politics are ran from the inequality between the rich and the poor. Along side corruption of political leaders who seek to be tyrants rather then fathers of the nation. Because of the extreme differences in economic standing between people, other countries look down to India and forget the extreme technological advancements.

RURAL TRIBAL INDIA

"In recent times, two events in Orissa’s tribal belt have made the headlines. The first is the decision to deny Vedanta Alumina an environmental clearance to mine bauxite in Lanjhigarh and the Niyamgiri hills, which had become a flash point for tribal resistance against corporate penetration of natural resources. The second was signified by Rahul Gandhi’s now famous assertion that though the denial of permission to Vedanta was a result of successful resistance by the people, it was he who had given them a voice in Delhiafter he had first visited them in 2008.

Since the 1940s, rightwing forces led by the RSS have penetrated these areas and established a network of social welfare and political organisations. Such organisations, have not only yielded a strong network of political activists and organisations, but they have also ensured that repeated political defeats of the congress since the late 1980s have left it bereft of any tribal leadership. While this is distinctly evident in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, in Jharkhand the Congress has been relying on repressive central rule on the one hand, and the leadership of tribal parties like JMM on the other hand for its political survival.

while the Congress attempts to recover lost ground in the tribal heartland, it is also sparing no effort to liberalise environmental regulation and facilitate the introduction of corporate capital in its own states.The political maneuvering by Rahul Gandhi and his party has been necessitated by its own policies that have basically concentrated on the more intense exploitation of natural resources by private players." (this information was directly cited from http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/the-dual-face-of-congress-politics-in-tribal-india-archana-prasad/)

Work Cited

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/105615/Cover%20Story/the-changing-face-of-indian-politics.html

http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/the-dual-face-of-congress-politics-in-tribal-india-archana-prasad/

The Food Tude by Roni

2010-12-02T06:12:00.000-08:00

(photo compliments of deviantart.com)

Just as the next guy, India sure loves making and sharing food! With such a diverse selection spread across all of India one would imagine the lines would be crossed. Separated into four sections of geography, Indian food exhibits certain similarities. Thees similarities consist of oil, rice, sugar, and spice. In India, tradition is as much a part of the individual as it is the culture, especially in the foods eaten.

RELIGIONS INFLUENCE UPON FOOD

Hindu, and Islam are the religions that influence food the strongest within India. By blending the cuisine of Muslim food with the techniques of Hindu, the end product created a burst of perfect flavor.
The Portuguese, English, and Persian settlers added very important contributions to the food of India. England helped India with commercial cultivation of tea.

In Hindu, a vegetarian life style can be predominately seen, but as of today more and more people eat meat in India. Because of the early herbivore tendencies of India the majority of meat dishes are prepared through Muslim recipes. Such as curries, meat balls, kabobs, and tandoori chicken.

North food

The main crop grown in northern India is wheat. This has allowed the northern diet to have wheat pancakes stuffed with mashed vegetables, rotis, chapatis, paranthas, which are all leavened or unleavened bread prepared for meals. The north also uses a lot of dairy products such as cottage cheese, ghee which is clarified butter, milk, and yogurt. The non vegetarian choices are taken from Mughlai cuisine which are very delectable. Using deep fried curries and vegetables, spice use is very important in all dishes.

Southern Cooks

The food in southern India uses rice mainly and is intended to be easily digestible. Vada, idli, and dosa
are rice dishes similar to pancakes and are normally served with a thin soup called sambhar rasam. Eating curd and pickles with at least two prepared vegetables. Eating lightly fried items between main course is also expected in southern cuisine. coconut oil and shaved coconut are also used vigorously in the preparation. Most non vegetarian dishes use fish or seafood of some sort, different then northern meats.

Eastern Dish
Sweets are the name of the game in eastern India. They are specifically known for some of the best desserts such as rice pudding and baked goods. There main diet consists of rice, momos, jhaal muri, and fish curries. Creating soups and other variety's with fish, in difference to other parts of India, eastern region uses mustard oil in the majority of savory dishes.

Western Fixens
West India has more desert like conditions and because of this their diet has a lot less vegetables. Using spicy pickles and
chutneys to accent puran poli a renowned dish in western India. Using lentils, baked wheat balls, and powdered sweetened cereal. Mango powder is used within many of the dishes as a substitute for other vegetables.

# WORKS CITED
"Food in India (Religious influences [Hindu] on food, North Indian food, South Indian food, ." AsianInfo.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2010. .

"Indian Cuisine, Indian Food, Rajasthani Cuisine, Rajasthani food, Cuisine in Rajasthan, Cooking in India, Indian Recipes, Cooking Classes in India, Cooking Tour to India." India Tour,India Tour Packages,India Tourism,India Travel,Indian Tour,India Travel Packages,Tourism in India,India Travel Agent. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2010. .

"Indian Food - India Traditional Food - India Food - Types of Food in India - What to Eat in India." Travel to India, India Travel Guide, India Travel Packages, Traveling to India, Indian Travel Guide. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2010. .

Art

2010-12-01T14:44:00.000-08:00

The origin of fine arts in India goes a long way back. India being a rich culture, the fine arts dates back to the beginning of civilization itself. India is known for its vivid history, co-existent plentiful of religions and path breaking philosophies. The importance of art has always constituted the fulcrum of India’s social and cultural hierarchies. As India’s history is segmented into various periods, similarly art in ancient India too is classified in accordance with those periods. Periods like, Hinduism and Buddhism, Islamic era, pre-independence period, post independence period and modern era. Every period has its unique blend of wonderful exhibition of Indian art. With changing times and changing periods, the form of art has also changed and every time it has managed to surpass the glorious works of previous age.

http://www.eso-garden.com/index.php?/weblog/C36/

Ancient Indian art forms are not just restricted to architecture, painting and sculpture. Folk and tribal art tradition in India is a wonderful example of culture and tradition of different social groups of India. Despite the onslaught of modernity, these traditions have managed to retain their essence and charm. What is most appealing about tribal art is that it is attuned to the rhythms of the nature. These art forms are simple expression of people that were further developed by fairs and festivals. The tribal art is based on local deities, myths, legends and epics. In that way, tribal art symbolises mutual dependency and co-existence of life and creativity. It is not merely an art for tribal people. It is in fact, a way of life that they live.

(source: factsaboutindia.org)

The term rangoli is derived from words rang (colour) and aavalli ('coloured creepers' or 'row of colours'). Rangoli is one of the most popular art forms in India. It is a form of sandpainting decoration that uses finely ground white powder and colours, and is used commonly outside homes in India. Rangoli can be wall art as well as floor art.

The origin of rangoli painting is traced to a legend recorded in the Chitralakshana, the earliest Indian treatise on painting. When the son of a Kings high priest died, Brahma, Lord of the universe, asked the king to paint the likeness of the boy so that Brahma could breathe life into him again. This is how, it is believed, the first painting was made. Also, the son of the king painted a portrait of a girl whom the son liked very much, although the king would not let his son see her. Rangoli also became a form of self-portraiture for women.

hubpages.com/hub/Rangoli-Floor-Art-in-India

Gender Roles

2010-12-01T14:20:00.000-08:00

There exist many feminists and women pushing for women's rights in India. India's view's on gender roles are still considered backward compared to the Western society. The role of each gender in Indian society is one that is unreasonable in religion and culture and makes for a harsh tradition in the country.

There's many factors that are presented to the oppression of women in India; these include geographical locations throughout the country, education, and economic and religious reasons. Usually the women suffer from a low social status compared to the men and are sometimes treated poorly. But on the other hand women are revered in Hindu practices with many ceremonies dedicated to them, but Indian society and laws still fail to treat women with equal rights as men.

A boy is allowed to walk away after finishing his dinner without being asked to help out to clean up. But, when a girl leaves the very same way, she is criticized, admonished and in some cases, scolded or even beaten for disobeying.

In rural areas, the gender differences stare at you face like an innocent child. It is unbelievable how the ladies do not have self-respect themselves when it comes to fighting for their rights. Most of the women there are not even aware of their rights. It is not a rare sight to see husband beating up his wife, drunk and after a while she is happily serving him dinner!

(source: helium.com)

Who Speaks What...In Where..

2010-12-01T13:55:00.000-08:00

Assamese is the spoken in 60 percent of the State
Hindi is the official language of Hindi
22 different Languages spoken throughout India
All these languages originated from the great languages of the past, with most of them belonging to several major linguistic families
Indo-Aryan (spoken by 70% Indians), Dravidian languages (spoken by 22% Indians), Austro-Asiatic languages and Tibeto-Burman linguistic languages.
The Indian Constitution (Article 343) declares Hindi to be the official language of the Union.
Hindi is also the mother tongue of about 20% of the Indian population, living in the area known as the 'Hindi-belt' or the 'cow-belt' of northern India.

http://languages.iloveindia.com/

http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/archives/images/set2/rajasthani-people.jpg

Puzzle Board States

2010-12-01T13:23:00.000-08:00

The Indian subcontinent touches three large bodies of water.
It is the huge, terrestrial beak between Africa and Indonesia, his thick, rough triangular peninsula defines the Bay of Bengal to the east, the Arabian sea to the west, and the India Ocean to the south
India's puzzleboard of 26 states holds virtually every kind of landscape imaginable.
A great amount of mountain ranges and national parks provide ample opportunity for eco-tourism and trekking
Its northernmost point on the Chinese border, India extends a 2000 miles to its southern tip
of Sri Lanka, forming the Gulf of Mannar
India's northern border is dominated mostly by Nepal and the Himalayas, the world's highest mountain chain. Following the sweeping mountains to the northeast, its borders narrow to a small channel that passes between Nepal, Tibet, Bangladesh, and Bhutan, then spreads out again to meet Burma in area called the "eastern triangle."
Western border is defined exclusively by Pakistan. North India is the country's largest region
the fertile plains of Punjab to the west and the Himalayan foothills of Uttar Pradesh and the Ganges river valley to the East between these two states is the capital city, Delhi.
The southwestern extremity of the North is the large state of Rajastan, whose principal features are the Thar Desert and the stunning "pink city" of Jaipur.
To the southeast is southern Uttar Pradesh and Agra, home of the famous Taj Mahal.

Because of India's size, its climate depends not only on the time of year, but also the location. In general, temperatures tend to be cooler in the north, especially between September and March. The south is coolest between November to January. In June, winds and warm surface currents begin to move northwards and westwards, heading out of the Indian Ocean and into the Arabian Gulf. This creates a phenomenon known as the south-west monsoon, and it brings heavy rains to the west coast. Between October and December, a similar climatic pattern called the north-east monsoon appears in the Bay of Bengal, bringing rains to the east coast. In addition to the two monsoons, there are two other seasons, spring and autumn.

http://www.geographia.com/india/

http://blogs.calumet.purdue.edu/gca/files/2009/04/taj-mahal.jpg

http://rajivawijesinha.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/jaipur-the-pink-city.jpg

Majority and Minority Population

2010-12-01T12:28:00.000-08:00

India is a vast, diverse country and the people inhabiting it are as diverse as the land itself . There are many ethnic groups and communities living here. The main ethnic groups are Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, Mongoloid and other 3% ( source: CIA world factbook). The people from northern India belong to the Indo-Aryan group, who are descendants of the Aryan hordes who first entered the sub-continent around 1500 B.C. Those from the north east of the country are usually from the Mongoloid group and south Indians, especially people from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, are generally of Dravidian origins, probably among the oldest inhabitants of the land.

India is a secular country with various types of religious backgrounds and communities all living together. The majority of the people living in India are Hindus and they are free to practice whichever religion they like or suits them best. The country is divided into different states and union territories. Many of the states have been formed on a linguistic basis. No other country in the world has as many languages and dialects as India. The country has an official 14 languages from which many of the states have been formed.

(SOURCE: http://www.earth.org/travel-guide/India-Asia/ethnic-groups-communities)

Marriage Customs

2010-12-01T11:40:00.000-08:00

I have learned that the land of India full of diverse cultures and traditions. The country is home to numerous religious communities, tribes and races. And where you have a mixture of all these you also have many different weddings and rituals. Here is a list of some of those wedding traditions.

Hindu

Assamese

Bengali

Buddhist

Jain

Jewish

Kannada

Gujarati

Kashmiri

Maharashtrian

Maithil Brahmin

Malayalee

Marwari

Muslim

Oriya

Punjabi

Sindhi

Tamil

Telugu

In Hindu law the marriage-tie is very binding, and may only be broken for some grave reason. If the wife is drunken, or unfaithful to her spouse, or excessively extravagant, or if, after eleven years she bears him no son, he may take a second wife ; but, even then, his first wife still rules the house. There are at least five things essential to the marriage ceremony, viz., the betrothal, the gift of the virgin, the acceptance, the seizure of the hand, and the seven steps, or sapta-padi. There are Eight types of Hindu weddings, Brahma marriage, Daiva Marriage, Arsha Marriage ,Prajapatya Marriage , Gandharva Marriage, Asura Marriage, Rakshasa Marriage, and the Paishacha Marriage.

(source: iloveindia.com)

(photo source: weddinguideasia.com)