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Difference between revisions of "India Travel Fact Sheet"

 
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[[Category: India Adoption]]
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{{#eimage:https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3706/10067083944_34c9c7db65_n.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''Indian landscape.'''<BR/>Source: flickr.com.}}
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=Basic Info=
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==Country Name==
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The Republic of [[India]]
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==What the People are Called==
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Indian
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==Ethnic Groups==
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[[India]] has more than 2000 ethnic groups and every major religion is represented, as are four major families of languages (Indo-Aryan – a branch of the larger Indo-European language group –, Dravidian, Austroasiatic, and Tibeto-Burman) as well as a language isolate (the Nihali language spoken in parts of Maharashtra). [[India]]'s castism history is extremely complex; nevertheless, distinct racial divisions between peoples still exist as established by modern anthropologists, despite the fact that the national Census of [[India]] does not recognize racial or ethnic groups within [[India]], but recognizes many of the tribal groups as Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
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The Indian caste [[system]] describes the [[system]] of social stratification and severe social restrictions in [[India]] in which social classes are defined by thousands of endogamous hereditary groups, often termed jātis or castes. Within a jāti, there exist exogamous groups known as gotras, the lineage or clan of an individual. In a handful of sub-castes such as Shakadvipi, endogamy within a gotra is permitted and alternative mechanisms of restricting endogamy are used (e.g. banning endogamy within a surname).
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The Indian caste [[system]] involves four castes and outcasted social groups. Caste barriers have mostly broken down in large cities, though they persist in rural areas of the country, where 72% of [[India]]'s population resides.
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For a detailed diagram of ethnic groups in [[India]] go [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Ethnic_groups_of_India here] for more information.
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==U.S. Embassy==
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U.S. Embassy in [[India]]
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Shantipath, Chanakyapuri
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New Delhi – 110021
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Tel: 091-011-24198000
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Fax: 091-011-24198407
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Email: NDAdopt@State.gov
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Internet: newdelhi.usembassy.gov/
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==Canadian Embassy==
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7/8 Shantipath, Chanakyapuri
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New Delhi 110 021, [[India]]
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==Currency==
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Indian Rupee
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==Time Zone==
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IST (UTC+05:30) Summer (DST) not observed (UTC+05:30)
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==Phone/Internet Information==
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* Calling code +91
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* ISO 3166 code IN
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* Internet TLD .in other TLDs
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==Major Languages Spoken==
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[[India]] is home to two major language families: Indo-Aryan (spoken by about 74% of the population) and Dravidian (24%). Other languages spoken in [[India]] come from the Austroasiatic and Tibeto-Burman language families. [[India]] has no national language. Hindi, with the largest number of speakers, is the official language of the government.  English is used extensively in business and administration and has the status of a "subsidiary official language"; it is important in education, especially as a medium of higher education. Each state and union territory has one or more official languages, and the constitution recognises in particular 21 "scheduled languages". The Constitution of [[India]] recognises 212 scheduled tribal groups which together constitute about 7.5% of the country's population.[266] The 2001 census reported that Hinduism, with over 800 million adherents (80.5% of the population), was the largest religion in [[India]]; it is followed by Islam (13.4%), Christianity (2.3%), Sikhism (1.9%), Buddhism (0.8%), Jainism (0.4%), Judaism, Zoroastrianism, and the Bahá'í Faith.[267] [[India]] has the world's largest Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Zoroastrian, and Bahá'í populations, and has the third-largest Muslim population and the largest Muslim population for a non-Muslim majority country.
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==Major holidays==
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::Jan 1   New Year's Day Restricted Holiday
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::Jan 7   Guru Govind Singh Jayanti Restricted Holiday
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::Jan 14  Pongal Restricted Holiday
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::Jan 14  Makar Sankranti Restricted Holiday
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::Jan 14  Milad un-Nabi/Id-e-Milad Gazetted Holiday
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::Jan 26  Republic Day Gazetted Holiday
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::Jan 31  Chinese New Year Observance
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::Feb 4   Vasant Panchami Restricted Holiday
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::Feb 14  Guru Ravidas Jayanti Restricted Holiday
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::Feb 14  Valentine's Day Observance
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::Feb 19  Shivaji Jayanti Restricted Holiday
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::Feb 24  Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti Restricted Holiday
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::Feb 27  Maha Shivaratri/Shivaratri Gazetted Holiday
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::Mar 16  Dolyatr Gazetted Holiday
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::Mar 16  Holika Dahana Restricted Holiday
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::Mar 17  Dolyatra Restricted Holiday
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::Mar 31  Chaitra Sukhladi Restricted Holiday
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::Apr 8   Rama Navami Gazetted Holiday
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::Apr 13  Mahavir Jayanti Gazetted Holiday
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::Apr 14  Vaisakhi Restricted Holiday
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::Apr 14  Ambedkar Jayanti Observance
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::Apr 15  First day of Passover Observance
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::Apr 15  Mesadi/Vaisakhadi Restricted Holiday
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::Apr 17  Maundy Thursday Observance, Christian
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::Apr 18  Good Friday Gazetted Holiday
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::Apr 20  Easter Day Restricted Holiday
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::May 1   May Day Observance
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::May 9   Birthday of Ravindranath Restricted Holiday
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::May 11  Mother's Day Observance
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::May 13  Hazarat Ali's Birthday Restricted Holiday
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::May 14  Buddha Purnima/Vesak Gazetted Holiday
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::Jun 15  Father's Day Observance
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::Jun 29  Rath Yatra Restricted Holiday
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::Jul 25  Jamat U-Vida Restricted Holiday
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::Jul 30  Ramzan Id/Eid-ul-Fitar Muslim, Common Local holidays
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::Aug 3   Friendship Day Observance
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::Aug 10  Raksha Bandhan Restricted Holiday
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::Aug 15  Independence Day Gazetted Holiday
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::Aug 15  Thanksgiving Day Observance
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::Aug 17  Janmashtami         Gazetted Holiday
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::Aug 18  Parsi New Year Restricted Holiday
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::Aug 29  Ganesh Chaturthi Restricted Holiday
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::Sep 7   Onam                 Restricted Holiday
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::Oct 1   Maha Saptami         Restricted Holiday
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::Oct 2   Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti Gazetted Holiday
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::Oct 2   Maha Ashtami Restricted Holiday
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::Oct 3   Dussehra (Maha Navami) Gazetted Holiday
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::Oct 5   Bakri Id/Eid ul-Adha Gazetted Holiday
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::Oct 6   Bakri Id/Eid ul-Adha Gazetted Holiday
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::Oct 11  Karaka Chaturthi Restricted Holiday
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::Oct 22  Naraka Chaturdasi Restricted Holiday
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::Oct 23  Diwali/Deepavali Gazetted Holiday
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::Oct 24  Govardhan Puja Restricted Holiday
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::Oct 25  Bhai Duj Restricted Holiday
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::Oct 29  Chhat Puja (Pratihar Sashthi/Surya Sashthi) Restricted Holiday
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::Oct 31  Halloween Observance
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::Nov 4   Muharram/Ashura Gazetted Holiday
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::Nov 6   Guru Nanak Jayanti Gazetted Holiday
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::Nov 24  Guru Tegh Bahadur's Martyrdom Day Restricted Holiday
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::Dec 12  First Day of Hanukkah Observance
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::Dec 24  Last day of Hanukkah Observance
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::Dec 24  Christmas Eve Restricted Holiday
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::Dec 25  Christmas Gazetted Holiday
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::Dec 31  New Year's Eve Observance, Christian
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Source: [http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/india/ Public Holidays India]
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Source: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India Wikipedia India]
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Source: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Ethnic_groups_of_India Ethnic groups India - Wikipedia]
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Back to [[Adopting from India]]

Latest revision as of 03:36, 29 December 2014

Indian landscape.
Source: flickr.com.

Basic Info

Country Name

The Republic of India

What the People are Called

Indian

Ethnic Groups

India has more than 2000 ethnic groups and every major religion is represented, as are four major families of languages (Indo-Aryan – a branch of the larger Indo-European language group –, Dravidian, Austroasiatic, and Tibeto-Burman) as well as a language isolate (the Nihali language spoken in parts of Maharashtra). India's castism history is extremely complex; nevertheless, distinct racial divisions between peoples still exist as established by modern anthropologists, despite the fact that the national Census of India does not recognize racial or ethnic groups within India, but recognizes many of the tribal groups as Scheduled Castes and Tribes.

The Indian caste system describes the system of social stratification and severe social restrictions in India in which social classes are defined by thousands of endogamous hereditary groups, often termed jātis or castes. Within a jāti, there exist exogamous groups known as gotras, the lineage or clan of an individual. In a handful of sub-castes such as Shakadvipi, endogamy within a gotra is permitted and alternative mechanisms of restricting endogamy are used (e.g. banning endogamy within a surname).

The Indian caste system involves four castes and outcasted social groups. Caste barriers have mostly broken down in large cities, though they persist in rural areas of the country, where 72% of India's population resides.

For a detailed diagram of ethnic groups in India go here for more information.

U.S. Embassy

U.S. Embassy in India Shantipath, Chanakyapuri New Delhi – 110021 Tel: 091-011-24198000 Fax: 091-011-24198407 Email: NDAdopt@State.gov Internet: newdelhi.usembassy.gov/

Canadian Embassy

7/8 Shantipath, Chanakyapuri New Delhi 110 021, India

Currency

Indian Rupee

Time Zone

IST (UTC+05:30) Summer (DST) not observed (UTC+05:30)

Phone/Internet Information

  • Calling code +91
  • ISO 3166 code IN
  • Internet TLD .in other TLDs

Major Languages Spoken

India is home to two major language families: Indo-Aryan (spoken by about 74% of the population) and Dravidian (24%). Other languages spoken in India come from the Austroasiatic and Tibeto-Burman language families. India has no national language. Hindi, with the largest number of speakers, is the official language of the government. English is used extensively in business and administration and has the status of a "subsidiary official language"; it is important in education, especially as a medium of higher education. Each state and union territory has one or more official languages, and the constitution recognises in particular 21 "scheduled languages". The Constitution of India recognises 212 scheduled tribal groups which together constitute about 7.5% of the country's population.[266] The 2001 census reported that Hinduism, with over 800 million adherents (80.5% of the population), was the largest religion in India; it is followed by Islam (13.4%), Christianity (2.3%), Sikhism (1.9%), Buddhism (0.8%), Jainism (0.4%), Judaism, Zoroastrianism, and the Bahá'í Faith.[267] India has the world's largest Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Zoroastrian, and Bahá'í populations, and has the third-largest Muslim population and the largest Muslim population for a non-Muslim majority country.

Major holidays

Jan 1 New Year's Day Restricted Holiday
Jan 7 Guru Govind Singh Jayanti Restricted Holiday
Jan 14 Pongal Restricted Holiday
Jan 14 Makar Sankranti Restricted Holiday
Jan 14 Milad un-Nabi/Id-e-Milad Gazetted Holiday
Jan 26 Republic Day Gazetted Holiday
Jan 31 Chinese New Year Observance
Feb 4 Vasant Panchami Restricted Holiday
Feb 14 Guru Ravidas Jayanti Restricted Holiday
Feb 14 Valentine's Day Observance
Feb 19 Shivaji Jayanti Restricted Holiday
Feb 24 Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti Restricted Holiday
Feb 27 Maha Shivaratri/Shivaratri Gazetted Holiday
Mar 16 Dolyatr Gazetted Holiday
Mar 16 Holika Dahana Restricted Holiday
Mar 17 Dolyatra Restricted Holiday
Mar 31 Chaitra Sukhladi Restricted Holiday
Apr 8 Rama Navami Gazetted Holiday
Apr 13 Mahavir Jayanti Gazetted Holiday
Apr 14 Vaisakhi Restricted Holiday
Apr 14 Ambedkar Jayanti Observance
Apr 15 First day of Passover Observance
Apr 15 Mesadi/Vaisakhadi Restricted Holiday
Apr 17 Maundy Thursday Observance, Christian
Apr 18 Good Friday Gazetted Holiday
Apr 20 Easter Day Restricted Holiday
May 1 May Day Observance
May 9 Birthday of Ravindranath Restricted Holiday
May 11 Mother's Day Observance
May 13 Hazarat Ali's Birthday Restricted Holiday
May 14 Buddha Purnima/Vesak Gazetted Holiday
Jun 15 Father's Day Observance
Jun 29 Rath Yatra Restricted Holiday
Jul 25 Jamat U-Vida Restricted Holiday
Jul 30 Ramzan Id/Eid-ul-Fitar Muslim, Common Local holidays
Aug 3 Friendship Day Observance
Aug 10 Raksha Bandhan Restricted Holiday
Aug 15 Independence Day Gazetted Holiday
Aug 15 Thanksgiving Day Observance
Aug 17 Janmashtami Gazetted Holiday
Aug 18 Parsi New Year Restricted Holiday
Aug 29 Ganesh Chaturthi Restricted Holiday
Sep 7 Onam Restricted Holiday
Oct 1 Maha Saptami Restricted Holiday
Oct 2 Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti Gazetted Holiday
Oct 2 Maha Ashtami Restricted Holiday
Oct 3 Dussehra (Maha Navami) Gazetted Holiday
Oct 5 Bakri Id/Eid ul-Adha Gazetted Holiday
Oct 6 Bakri Id/Eid ul-Adha Gazetted Holiday
Oct 11 Karaka Chaturthi Restricted Holiday
Oct 22 Naraka Chaturdasi Restricted Holiday
Oct 23 Diwali/Deepavali Gazetted Holiday
Oct 24 Govardhan Puja Restricted Holiday
Oct 25 Bhai Duj Restricted Holiday
Oct 29 Chhat Puja (Pratihar Sashthi/Surya Sashthi) Restricted Holiday
Oct 31 Halloween Observance
Nov 4 Muharram/Ashura Gazetted Holiday
Nov 6 Guru Nanak Jayanti Gazetted Holiday
Nov 24 Guru Tegh Bahadur's Martyrdom Day Restricted Holiday
Dec 12 First Day of Hanukkah Observance
Dec 24 Last day of Hanukkah Observance
Dec 24 Christmas Eve Restricted Holiday
Dec 25 Christmas Gazetted Holiday
Dec 31 New Year's Eve Observance, Christian

Source: Public Holidays India Source: Wikipedia India Source: Ethnic groups India - Wikipedia

Back to Adopting from India