Recipes for Living India as Marvin Hardisty Knows It

For 5 years I have been traveling to India at least once a year. It is a diverse and interesting country. Each time I return home with a growing appreciation of India and knowing more about the people and the country. I would like to share some information about the country I have come to enjoy.

India is the seventh-largest country in the world by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people (just behind China), and the most populous democracy in the world. India borders on China in the northeast. Other neighbors are Pakistan on the west, Nepal and Bhutan on the north, and Buuna and Bangladesh on the east.

The country can be divided into three distinct geographic regions: the Himalayan region in the north, which contains some of the highest mountains in the world, the Gangetic Plain, and the plateau region in the south and central part. Its three great river systems—the Ganges, the Indus, and the Brahmaputra—have extensive deltas and all rise in the Himalayas.

Traditional Indian society is defined by relatively strict social hierarchy. The Indian caste system describes the social stratification and social restrictions in the Indian subcontinent, in which social classes are defined by hereditary groups, often termed as j atis or castes. The Jatis were formally grouped under four well known categories: Brahmins (scholars, teachers, priests), Vaishyas (agriculturists, cattle raisers, traders, bankers), Kshatriyas (kings, warriors, law enforcers, administrators), and Shudras (artisans, craftsmen, service providers). Certain people like foreigners, nomads, forest tribes and the chandalas (who dealt with disposal of the dead) were excluded altogether and treated as Dalits (or "untouchables"). Although generally identified with Hinduism, the caste system is also observed among followers of other religions in the Indian subcontinent, including some groups of Muslims and Christians, most likely due to inherited cultural traits. Theoretically, all foreigners are considered to be casteless and hence outcast; meaning that Hindu, especially the orthodox upper caste families, would not touch or invite them to their homes. Several social reform movements have played a role in the liberation of Dalits. However, the majority of Dalits continue to live in segregation and are often persecuted and discriminated against.

Traditional Indian family values are highly valued, and multi-generational joint families have been the norm in India, though single generation families are becoming common in urban areas. An overwhelming majority of Indians, with their consent, have their marriages arranged by their parents or other family members. Marriage is thought to be for life, and the divorce rate is extremely low. Child marriage is still a common practice, more so in rural India, with more than half of women in India marrying before the legal age of 18.

A strong labor force, rich natural resources, favorable climate and positive outlook of Indians have made this country one of the best places for companies to conduct their business. Indian government has left no stone unturned to create employment and business opportunities in India.With tax and trade restrictions relaxed, starting a business in India indeed is quite an alluring proposition. To increase business in India, the government has implemented policies and crafted some regulations. For the years 2006 and 2007, Indian economy has earned 43rd rank in the world economic forum's Global Competitive Index (GCI) position.

As far as communication is concerned, India's official language is Hindi. However, English is widely spoken especially in the business arena. To add on to the diversity in India, the country has more than 14 major languages and 300 other languages. As far as maintaining business relations in India are concerned, one needs to keep in mind that there are no harsh implications in one verbal communication. Most of the businesses in India maintain a hierarchy and respect their seniors. Indians are known for their amicability and warmth. They never refuse anything directly as it might offend the other person.

However, business etiquette in India is undergone changes as more and more Indians are influenced by western cultures. Industrial leaders of India are making changes in business policies to attract international business. Indian policy makers and industrialists are offering a robust economic environment for private and public enterprises in order to achieve growth and business stability within the country. As far as business dress code is considered, men generally wear a suit and tie, and women wear saris, salwar suits or formals.

As measured by the Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), India is the third largest economy in the world with an ever growing GDP of 9.2%. This makes India, a country with the second fastest growing economy in the world. India is the tenth largest economy in the world if the growth is measured in USD exchange rates. Since India is the country with the second largest population, its per capita income is quite nominal. This makes India a low income economy.

Just as Indian topography and culture, India's economy, too, is diverse. It encompasses varied fields such as agriculture, manufacturing, textile, infrastructure, handicrafts and handloom industry and a host of different service sectors. Most of the population of India earns their living through agriculture and related activities. However, with globalization and opening up of the world economies, the manufacturing and the service sector are also coming up in a big way especially in the urban metropolitan areas. One of the major benefits India possesses is the large amount of youth population which falls in the age category of 18 to 30.

These young educated people in this digital age are being employed for outsourcing and back offices work of global companies that are being carried out in India extensively. India is known for its highly-skilled workers in software engineering and financial services. Sectors like pharmaceutical, biotechnology, telecommunication, shipbuilding, aviation, etc., too, are showing strong growth. The strength of Indian economy lies in its vast pool of educated and skilled population.

Indian history showed that government placed strict control over private sector participation, FDIs and foreign trade. However after the 1990 liberalization and privatization, India gradually opened up its economy. It started encouraging private sector participation and relieved restrictions on international trade. India has emerged as one of the wealthiest economies in the developing world post 1990. Not just that, the life expectancy rates, literacy rates and food provision rates have also been significantly improved. This shows that India has truly achieved what is termed as 'inclusive growth."

India is a country with a wide gap between the rich and the poor. Hence it is a challenge for India to reduce the socio-economic inequality amongst the population. Poverty still remains a major issue for the government even after implementing many economic reforms.

India has a phenomenally rich historical background. One of the oldest civilizations in the world, India history began with Indus Valley civilization. India is known for its majestic natural beauty, grand monuments and exotic wildlife. India has many firsts to its credit in diverse range of spheres right from medicine, education to health and spirituality. Ruled by Kings and Emperors of different cultures and religions, India is a beautiful amalgamation of varied traditions. India is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. Plenty of Indian sites have been assigned the status of world heritage because of their unique features and historical importance.

The world heritage sites in India are incredibly worth praising. These UNESCO World Heritage Sites are in both categories — Cultural and National Sites. The popularity of India as a tourist destination has been further fuelled by world heritages sites. These historical sites offer tourists a wonderful opportunity to know about India's glorious history and fascinating wildlife activities. Sites are testimony to the glorious bygone era. Many of the heritage sites are famous for their architectural splendor. No less than 28 sites in India are listed as world heritage sites by the UNESCO.

Taj Mahal (Agra, Uttar Pradesh)
Red Fort (Delhi)
Khajuraho group of Temples (Madhya Pradesh)
Agra Red Fort (Agra, Uttar Pradesh)
Group of Monuments (Hampi, Karnataka)
Fatehpur Sikri (Agra, Uttar Pradesh)
Elephanta Caves (Mumbai, Maharashtra)
Group of Monuments (Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu)
Red Fort (Delhi)
Mahabodhi Temple Complex (Bodhgaya, Bihar)
Qutub Minar Complex (Delhi)
Churches and Convents (Goa)
Humayun's Tomb (Delhi)
Great Living Chola Temples (Tamil Nadu)
Ajanta & Ellora Caves (Aurangabad, Maharashtra)
Sanchi Buddhist Stupa & Monuments (Madhya Pradesh)

Konark Sun Temple (Orissa)
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (Madhya Pradesh)
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (Mumbai, Maharashtra)
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal in (Karnataka)
Mountain Railways of India
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (Gujarat)

India is the birth place of four of the world's major religious traditions: namely Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism. Throughout its history, religion has been an important part of India's culture. Religious diversity and religious tolerance are both established in the country by law and custom. A vast majority of Indians associate themselves with a religion.

According to the 2001 census, Hinduism accounted for 80.5% of the population of India. Islam (13.4%), Christianity (2.3%) and Sikhism (1.9%) are the other major religions followed by the people of India. This diversity of religious belief systems existing in India today is a result of, besides existence and birth of native religions, assimilation and social integration of religions brought to the region by traders, travelers, immigrants, and even invaders and conquerors.

The Muslim population in India is the third largest in the world. The shrines of some of the most famous saints of Sufism like Moinuddin Chishti and Nizamuddin Auliya are in India and attract visitors from all over the world. India is also home to some of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture like the Taj Mahal and the Qutb Minar.

The Constitution of India declares the nation to be a secular republic that must uphold the right of citizens to freely worship and propagate any religion or faith (with activities subject to reasonable restrictions for the sake of morality, law and order, etc.). The Constitution of India also declares the right to freedom of religion as a fundamental right.

Citizens of India are generally tolerant of each other's religions and retain a secular outlook, although inter-religious marriage is not widely practiced. Inter-community clashes have found little support in the social mainstream, and it is generally perceived that the causes of religious conflicts are political rather than ideological in nature.

India has always been known for its beautiful names. Indian names have a meaning behind them and reflects the religions, culture, language and place of the person. Indian child names are mostly drawn from the scriptures written in the olden times in Sanskrit. History has indeed played a big role in characterizing Indian names. Indian names almost always have a meaning attached to them. According to Indians the sound and meaning of names create a positive or negative energy in the lives of individuals.The conventional Indian boy's names include Aditya which means sun, Akshay meaning immortal, Bharat which means universal monarch, Chetan which means light, Devang meaning part of God, Girish meaning God of mountain, Vijay which means triumph, Vikram meaning Victory, Saransh meaning result, Anubhav meaning experience, Vivek meaning respect, etc.

Indian girl names are also derived from the names of Goddesses in most communities. A special emphasis is given to the meaning of the word and feminine qualities of the sound. Some oft repeated Indian girl names are Aditi which means mother of Gods, Gitanjali which means a collection of poems, Shradha meaning faith, Karuna meaning mercy, Shanti meaning peace, Vandana meaning prayer, Bela meaning time, Kalpana which means imagination, Tulsi which is a sacred plant, Ruchi means interest, Lalita which is another name for Goddess Durga, Sushmita which means smiling, etc.

India is a country of many castes and cultures and names given to Indian boys and girls are also driven by this. For example, Indian girl names in Punjab are accompanied by the suffix kaur, as in 'kirankaur'. Indian culture is very diverse and rich in traditions as well as ancient languages. There is an endless treasure of Indian names for both boys and girls in India, which is unparalleled in terms of their brilliance and depth. Famous writers have compiled whole books of Indian names to help parents name their children.

Indian names thus have their meanings rooted in their culture, religion and the God-Goddesses and place of birth. Now-a-days more and more parents desire to give their children new modern names, which are a blend of Indian as well as western words. For example 'Avatar' is a name which has its origin in Sanskrit and means incarnation of Lord Vishnu. However avatar has now become an English word. Hence, like India, Indian names too are evolving.

I hope this provides you with a good understanding of a country with significant history, a growing future, and a country I now feel a part of.