TODAY
India has a rich history, home to the Indus Valley Civilization, that traces back more than 4500 years. India gave rise to ancient religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Later, Christianity and Islam arrived around 1000 AD. The British Empire ruled India from the early 18th century until Mahatma Gandhi led India’s Independence in 1947. The national languages is Hindi, however, English is prevalent due to the former British rule.
Officially known as the Republic of India, it is the 2nd most populated country in the world with 1.2 billion people, only behind China’s 1.3 billion. Between these two Asian countries, they make up 1/3 of the world’s population and are two major economic powerhouses, chasing the United States.
MAHATMA GANDHI, LEADER OF INDIAN INDEPENDENCE 42
SPRING 2016
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HISTORY
India has among the highest concentration of people living below the poverty line in the world with 1/4 of their people living off $1.25 or less per day. Public health, water and nutrition is not at all divided fairly within a country of 100 billionaires (4th highest in the World next to the US, China & Germany) living in massive mansions, in Mumbai, next to the largest slums in India where children pick and sell trash to buy food for their families. Economists have long debated when and if India will catch up to China’s global economic success. India has the resources, manpower, and technology, and currently has the 3rd largest GDP in the world at $8.027 trillion dollars.
THE TAJ MAHAL, "CROWN OF PALACES"
PO PU L ATIO N 1.2
BILLION
GDP
$8.027 TRILLION
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Traveling with the Bohemian Vagabond
ndia is either a travel destination you will absolutely fall madly in Love with, wanting to go back time and time again or a destination you will absolutely hate finding it intolerable and dirty. It is a large country that assaults your five senses the moment you step off the plane. India has it all: holy rivers, tea plantations, mountains, wildlife jungles, small villages, rice patties, farms, beaches, lakes, and of course cows every step of the way. BY JACKI UENG