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Over thousands of years most of the world’s major people groups have migrated to India, keeping their distinctive cultures. In this diverse population, there are 24 languages that are spoken by one million or more people. In total there are over 1600 separate languages and dialects. Hindi is spoken by 30 per cent of people, mainly in the north. English is used both in the north and south by about three per cent, mostly by people in business and government.
For more information about Indian culture, go to http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/indian_subcontinent/india/culture.htm
India is among the top ten industrial nations in the world. Major industries are textiles, iron and steel, chemicals and food production. India is basically self-sufficient in grain production. The government runs the railroads, car manufacturing and banking. Many industries and agriculture are privately owned. India has rich mineral resources including the fourth largest coal reserves in the world.
More than one-sixth of the world’s total population lives in India, the second largest population after China. Only about one in four people live in towns or cities. The most densely populated area is the Ganges plain.
About 64 per cent of people (650 million) depend on farming or farm labouring for a living, most having very low incomes. About 12 per cent of people (120 million) are in the increasingly powerful middle class, living mostly in the largest cities. India’s supply of scientists and engineers is possibly the third largest in the world.
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Education is free and compulsory for all children up to 14 years. More than 90 per cent of all primary-age children are enrolled, though many, especially girls, may not attend regularly. Only about half the children aged 11 to 14 years are enrolled in school. About half the total population aged 15 and over cannot read.
Since independence, India’s health services have improved dramatically and life expectancy at birth has increased by 25 years. However one quarter of people suffer from malnutrition and many lack access to safe drinking water. Health conditions for these people are poor with no access to hospitals or even basic health care. Malaria and tuberculosis are still common.
The main religion is Hinduism. There are also significant minorities of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains.
The British ruled directly over India from 1858 for nearly 100 years. Non-violent resistance led to independence in 1947 when the country was divided into the State of India (with a majority of Hindus) and the smaller Muslim State of Pakistan. Over 10 million people relocated and more than 250,000 were killed. In 1971 the separate eastern part of Pakistan became the nation of Bangladesh. India and Pakistan have an ongoing dispute over the state of Kashmir. India is a federal republic and is the largest democracy in the world. Recent increasing social conflicts revolve around religion and social caste (status).
For more information about Indian history, go to http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/indian_subcontinent/india/history.htm
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