2. A RISING STAR IN THE NEW
MILLENNIUM

4. • India-Introduction
• Geography
• People
• Government
• Economy
• Religions
• Politics
• Culture
• Great Leaders
• Women
• Conflict with Pakistan over J&K
• Indians in America
• Useful Links And Sights of India

5. INDIA
INTRODUCTION
The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world,
goes back at least 5,000 years. Aryan tribes from the northwest
invaded about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier inhabitants
created classical Indian culture. By the 19th century, Britain had
assumed political control of virtually all Indian lands.
Nonviolent resistance to British colonialism under
Mohandas Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru led to independence in
1947. The subcontinent was divided into the secular state of India
and the smaller Muslim state of Pakistan.

6. Geography
Location:
Southern Asia, bordering the
Arabian Sea and the Bay of
Bengal, between Burma and
Pakistan
Geographic coordinates: 20 00
N, 77 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area: Total: 3,287,590 sq km
Land: 2,973,190 sq km
Water: 314,400 sq km
Coastline: 7,000 km

7. Irrigated land:535,100 sq km (1995/96
EST.)
Natural hazards: droughts, flash floods,
severe thunderstorms common;
earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
Deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing;
desertification; air pollution from
industrial effluents and vehicle emissions;
water pollution from raw sewage and
runoff of agricultural pesticides; tap water
is not potable throughout the
country; huge and growing population is
overstraining natural resources

8. People
Population:1,029,991,145 (July 2001 EST.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 33.12% (male 175,630,537; female 165,540,672)
15-64 years: 62.2% (male 331,790,850; female 308,902,864)
65 years and over: 4.68% (male 24,439,022; female 23,687,200)
(2001 EST.)
Sex ratio:At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female
total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2001.)

9. English enjoys associate status but is the most
important language for national, political, and
commercial communication, Hindi the national
language and primary tongue of 30% of the
people,Bengali (official), Telugu (official), Marathi
(official), Tamil (official), Urdu (official), Gujarati
(official),Malayalam (official), Kannada (official),
Oriya (official), Punjabi (official), Assamese (official),
Kashmiri (official), Sindhi (official),
Sanskrit (official), Hindustani (a popular variant of
Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India)
note:

10. Flag description:
Three equal horizontal bands of
orange (top), white, and green
with a blue chakra (24-spoked
wheel) centered in the white band;
similar to the flag of Niger, which
has a small orange disk centered
in the white band

11. The Indian economy has been catching up quickly
in the past two decades, and weathered the global
recession well. Wide-ranging reforms and
increased investment have lifted potential growth
to almost 9%, the highest in Indian history, helped
by improvements in infrastructure. The
government should step up efforts to restructure
public expenditure; reduce the fiscal deficit; relax
some of the constraints facing the financial sector
and further promote international integration.

13. Electricity - production by source:
Fossil fuel: 79.41%
Hydra: 17.77%
Nuclear: 2.52%
Other: 0.3% (1999)
Electricity -consumption: 424.032 billion kWh
(1999)
Electricity - exports:200 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports:1.49 billion kWh (1999)

14. Agriculture - products:Rice, wheat, oilseed,
cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; cattle, water
buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry; fish
Exports:$43.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000)
Exports - commodities: Textile goods, gems and
jewelry, engineering goods, chemicals, leather
manufactures
Exports - partners:US 22%, UK 6%, Germany 5%,
Japan 5%, Hong Kong 5%, UAE 4% (1999)
Imports:$60.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000)
Imports - commodities:
Crude oil, machinery, gems, fertilizer, chemicals

16. Bahujan Samaj Party
Bharatiya Janata Party
Communist Party of India
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
Indian National Congress
Nationalist Congress Party
Rashtriya Janata Dal

17. Bharatiya Janata Party is today the most prominent member
of the family of organisations known as the "Sangh
Parivar".And RSS has always been dubbed "communal",
"reactionary”and what not by its detractors. Sanghs of
swayamsevaks have of course always shaken off that
criticism like so much water off a duck's back. They have
never had any doubt that the organisation is wedded to
national unity, national integrity, national identity and
national strength through individual character and national
character. And today this organisation is poised for a gresat
leap forward. Even its long- time detractors think and say that
now bjp is "unstoppable".What is the story of this national
epic?

18. The oldest Indian political party, the Indian National
Congress was formed in 1885 and was the most
powerful force behind the country's struggle for
independence. It also held power for most years after
independence. The party has also been instrumental in
the making or fall of non-Congress governments at the
center when it was out of power. However, the party
has undergone many splits and its fetish for the Gandhi
family has today put it in a tight spot.

19. The CPI(M) was formed at the Seventh Congress of the
Communist Party of India held in Calcutta from October 31 to
November 7, 1964. The CPI(M) was born in the struggle against
revisionism and sectarianism in the communist movement at the
international and national level, in order to defend the scientific
and revolutionary tenets of Marxism-Leninism and its appropriate
application in the concrete Indian conditions. The CPI(M)
combines the fine heritage of the anti-imperialist struggle and the
revolutionary legacy of the undivided Communist Party which was
founded in 1920. Over the years, the Party has emerged as the
foremost Left force in the country.

20. • Music
• Festivals
• Art
• Architecture
• Dance

21. Music
• Music has always occupied a central place in the imagination
of Indians. The range of musical phenomenon in India, and
indeed the rest of South Asia, extends from simple melodies,
commonly encountered among hill tribes, to what is one of the
most well- developed "systems" of classical music in the
world. Indian music can be described as having been
inaugurated with the chanting of Vedic hymns, though it is
more than probable that the Indus Valley Civilization was not
without its musical culture, of which almost nothing is known.
Sometime between the 2nd century BC and the 5th century
AD, the Natyasastra, on Treatise on the Dramatic Arts, was
composed by Bharata. This work has ever since exercised an
incalculable

22. The festivals of importance are
Diwali
Dussera
Raksha Bandhan etc

23. Diwali:
Diwali signifies many different things to people across the country. In
north India, Diwali celebrates Rama's homecoming, that is his return
to Ayodhya after the defeat of Ravana and his coronation as king; in
Gujarat, the festival honors Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth; and in
Bengal, it is associated with the goddess Kali. Everywhere, it
signifies the renewal of life, and accordingly it is common to wear
new clothes on the day of the festival; similarly, it heralds the
approach of winter and the beginning of the sowing season. It is
colloquially known as the "festival of lights", for the common
practice is to light small oil lamps (called diyas) and place them
around the home, in courtyards, verandahs, and gardens, as well as on
roof-tops and outer walls.

24. On the last day of the festival, young men and small boys,
dressed as Rama, his brother Lakshman, Ravana, and other
players in the drama, proceed through the streets of the
community as part of a float that is sometimes quite elaborate.
Rama and Ravana engage in battle; Ravana is defeated.
Though known by different Rama over Ravana, or the orces
"good" over the forces of "evil". Large effigies of the ten-
headed Ravana, the king of Lanka who abducted Rama's wife,
Sita, and was subsequently vanquished in battle, are burnt as
the sun goes down; on either side of him are the slightly smaller
effigies of Meghnada, the son of Ravana, and Kumbhakarna,
the full brother of Ravana whose name has become a household
word in India for lethargy and laziness.

25. The annual "festival" of Raksha Bandhan, which is meant to
commemorate the abiding ties between siblings of opposite sex,
usually takes place in late August, and is marked by a very simple
ceremony in which a woman ties a rakhi — which may be a
colorful thread, a simple bracelet, or a decorative string — around
the waist of her brother(s). The word "raksha" signifies protection,
and "bandhan" is an association signifying an enduring sort of
bond; and so, when a woman ties a rakhi around the waist of her
brother, she signifies her loving attachment to him. He, likewise,
recognizes the special bonds between them, and by extending his
wrist forward, he in fact extends the hand of his protection over
her.

26. Indian Art is the visual art produced on the Indian subcontinent
from about the 3rd millennium BC to modern times. To viewers
schooled in the Western tradition, Indian art may seem overly
ornate and sensuous; appreciation of its refinement comes only
gradually, as a rule. Voluptuous feeling is given unusually free
expression in Indian culture. A strong sense of design is also
characteristic of Indian art and can be observed in its modern as
well as in its traditional forms.
The vast scope of the art of India intertwines with the cultural
history, religions and philosophies which place art production and
patronage in social and cultural contexts.

28. One of the most enduring achievements of Indian civilization is
undoubtedly its architecture, which extends to a great deal more
than the Taj Mahal or the temple complexes of Khajuraho and
Vijayanagara. Though the Indus Valley sites of Harappa,
Mohenjo-daro, and Lothal provide substantial evidence of
extensive town planning, the beginnings of Indian architecture
are more properly to be dated to the advent of Buddhism in
India, in the reign of Ashoka (c. 270-232), and the construction
of Buddhist monasteries and stupas.

29. Buddhist architecture was predominant for several centuries,
and there are few remains of Hindu temples from even late
antiquity. Among the many highlights of Buddhist art and
architecture are the Great Stupa at Sanchi and the rock-cut
caves at Ajanta.
Many other architectures of importance are:
Ajanta, Buddhist Architecture, Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram,
South Indian Architecture, Khajuraho, Orissan Architecture,
Mughal Architecture, Fatehpur Sikri, Taj Mahal, Fort
Architecture, Stepwells

30. There are many types of dance in India, from those which are
deeply religious in content to those which are danced on more
trivial happy occasions. Classical dances of India are usually
always spiritual in content, although this is often true also of Folk
dances.
The classical dances are Kathakali and Mohini Attam from
Kerala. Bharata Natyam from Tamil Nadu.Kuchipudi from Andhra
Pradesh
Odissi from Orissa ,Kathak from Uttar Pradesh, Manipuri from
Manipur
Folk Dances:Dumhal of Kashmir ,Bihu of Assam ,Brita or Vrita
of West Bengal ,Dalkhai of Orissa,Hikat of Himachal Pradesh

31. Heroes of India
Gandhiji’s life was dedicated to the ideals of
Truth, Non-violence and Love. 'The Bhagavad Gita
is my mother,' he once said;and the name of Sri Rama
was his shield. He was the architect of India's freedom
and one of the greatest men of this century.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak (29th Couplet)
Described by British as "The Father of Indian Unrest "
Tilak was born on 23.07.1856. His slogan, "Swaraj (Self
Rule) is my birthright", inspired millions of Indians. His
book "Geetarahasya"a classic treatise on Geeta in
Marathi was written by him, in prison at Mandalay.Great
journalist- editor, an authority on Vedas, Sanskrit
Scholar, mathematician and a natural leader of India.
Died 01.08.1920 "Swaraj is our birthright,"
thundered Tilak, the Lion of India.He founded schools
and published newspapers, all for his motherland.
countrymen.

32. Bhagat Singh : He is the symbol of the heroism of the
youth of India. A revolutionary He threw a bomb when
the Legislature was in session to warn the British
Government. He was put to death but lives in the hearts
of his countrymen.
Ramaprasad Bismil:A brave revolutionary who gave up his
life smilingly for the sake of the Motherland. He was
persecuted by an enraged foreign government, hunted by
the police and betrayed by follow workers. And yet he
lit the fire of revolution to burn down the slavery.He was
the brave leader of the Kakori Rail Dacoity episode. His
poetry is also a lamp lighted at the altar of the Mother
land.
Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of
Independent India and architect of India's foreign policy,
grew from a anglicized child into a dedicated nationalist
par excellence.

33. • Rabindranath Tagore was born into a
distinguished Bengali family in
Calcutta, West Bengal on 1861.In 1901
he founded the famous Shantiniketan
near Calcutta. This was designed to
provide a traditional ashram and
Western education. He began with 5
pupils and 5 teachers (three of whom
were Christian). His ideals were
Rabindranath Tagore simplicity of living and the cultivation
of beauty.
• Lala Lajpat Rai :A great national leader
who came to be called the 'Lion of
Punjab.' Worked tire- lessly to improve
education, to promote unity among
Hindus and to reform society.
Lala Lajpat Rai

34. Madan Mohana Malaviya :The founder of Benares
Hindu University. His boyhood was spent in utter
poverty. By his scholarship, pure life and selflessness he
won such respect that he collected more than thirteen
million rupees for the University. He was the tireless
exponent of the greatness of India and her culture.
Raja Rammohan Roy has come to be called the ‘Maker of
Modern India’. Without giving up what was good and
noble in the past, he laid the foundations for a great future.
He put an end to the horrible custom of burning the living
wife with the dead husband. He was a great scholar and an
independent thinker. He advocated the study of English,
Science, Western Medicine and Technology. He spent his
money on a college to promote these studies.

35. Dr.M.VISVESVARAYA :One of the makers of modern
India. 'MV' was a genius. Perfectly honest and devoted to
his work, he set new standards of efficiency. This is the
story of a poor boy that became the Grand Old Man of
India.
Dr.C.V. Raman: The genius who won the Nobel Prize for
Physics, with simple equipment barely worth RS. 300. He
was the first Asian scientist to win the Nobel Prize. He was
a man of boundless curiosity and a lively sense of humor.
His spirit of inquiry and devotion to science laid the
foundations for scientific research in India. And he won
honor as a scientist and affection as a teacher and a man.

36. Jhansi Lakshmi Bhai: The great heroine of the First war of
India Freedom. She lived for only twenty-two years. She
became a widow in her eighteenth year. Jhansi, of which she
was the queen, was in the grip of the cunning, cruel British.
She was the embodiment of patriotism, self-respect and
heroism. She was the queen of a small state, but the empress
of a limitless empire of glory.
Indira Gandhi (1917-1984) was the only child of
Kamla and Jawaharlal Nehru. Mrs.. Indira Gandhi was
the Prime Minister of India from1966-77 and 1980-
84. Mrs.. Gandhi acquired a formidable international
reputation as a "statesman", and there is no doubt that
she was extraordinarily skilled in politics. She was
prone, like many other politicians, to thrive on
slogans, and one -- Garibi Hatao, "Remove Poverty"
-- became the rallying cry for one of her election
campaigns.

37. India has always been a relentless champion of the cause of women
at all international and national fora. The policy makers realise that
real development cannot take roots if it bypasses women, who
represent the very kernel around which social change must take
shape. The past few years have seen unprecedented changes in the
political, diplomatic, economic and ideological spheres, but certain
quiet but perhaps more far reaching developments have also taken
roots. From growth to growth with equity, from routine delivery of
services to people's participation, from economic development to
human development and from services endowment to
empowerment, the paradigms of development have certainly come
a long

38. Kashmir Contr over sy
Presented by
Ven Merja

39.  The Kashmir conflict is a territorial dispute
over Kashmir.
 There are total 4 parties involved in this
dispute – India, Pakistan, China and the
people of Kashmir.

40. Partition and dispute
 Before Independence from British in 1947 from
1820, Kashmir was ruled by the Maharaja of
Kashmir who was Hindu although the majority of
the population were Muslim, except the Jammu
region.
 The partition was made on religious lines resulting
in to the formation of two separate countries –
India and Pakistan. Pakistan insisted that Kashmir
should be given to it.

41.  Because of its location,
Kashmir could choose
to join either India or
Pakistan. Maharaja
Hari Singh was the
ruler of Kashmir.
Unable to decide which
nation Kashmir should
join, Hari Singh chose
to remain neutral.

42. Indo-Pakistani War of 1947
 But his hopes of remaining
independent were dashed in October
1947, as Pakistan sent in Muslim
tribesmen who were knocking at the
gates of the capital Srinagar.
 Hari Singh appealed to the Indian
government for military assistance
and fled to India. He signed the
“Instrument of Accession”, giving up
Kashmir to India on October 26. The
Instrument of Accession of Kashmir to
India was accepted by Viceroy Lord
Mountbatten of Burma.

43.  India and Pakistan fought the first
war over Kashmir in 1947-48. India
referred the dispute to the United
Nations. In a resolution, the UN asked
Pakistan to remove its troops, after
which India was also to withdraw the
bulk of its forces.
 India was confident that it will win the
referendum, because Sheikh Abdullah,
the most influential Kashmiri mass
leader, was firmly on its side. Hence
an emergency Govt. was formed on
October 30, 1948 with Sheikh
Abdullah as the “Prime Minister”.

44. LOC – LINE OF CONTROL
 Pakistan ignored the UN mandate and
continued fighting, holding on to the
portion of Kashmir under its control.
On January 1, 1949, a ceasefire was
agreed, with 65 % of the territory
under Indian control and the
remaining 35% with Pakistan.
 The ceasefire was intended to be
temporary, but the Line of Control
remains the military control line
between the Indian and Pakistani-
controlled parts of the state of Jammu
& Kashmir.

45. Tashkent agreement
 In 1957, Kashmir was incorporated into the Indian
Union. It was given a special status under Article 370 of
India's constitution, which ensures, among other things,
that non-Kashmiri Indians cannot buy property there.
 Fighting broke out again in 1965, but a ceasefire was
established. Indian Prime Minister, Lal Bhadur Shastri,
and Pakistani President, M Ayub Khan, signed the
Tashkent agreement on January 1, 1966.
 They resolved to try to end the dispute, but the death of
Mr Shastri and the rise of Gen Yahya Khan in Pakistan
resulted in stalemate (deadlock).

46. Simla Agreement
 In 1971 a third war, resulting in
the formation of Bangladesh was
broken out and India declared
war on December 3, 1971. When
Indians entered 50 km into the
area of Pakistan, a ceasefire was
reached.
 In 1972 Indira Gandhi, the Indian
prime minister, and Zulfikar Ali
Bhutto signed the Simla
Agreement, which repeated the
promises made in Tashkent.

47. Infiltration of Pakistani guerrillas
 The status quo was maintained until 1989. Thereafter
Pakistani guerrillas struck in the Indian Kashmir valley.
They established a reign of terror and drove out almost
all the Hindus from the valley. Meanwhile Indian and
Pakistani troops regularly exchanged fire at the border.
 India and Pakistan both tested nuclear devices in 1998,
and then in 1999 test-fired missiles. When the Indian
Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, visited Lahore by
bus in 1999, the world felt that such a genuine effort at
friendly neighborhood relations would lower the tension
along the LOC.

48. Kargil War & Cross-border
troubles
 But, again the cross-LOC firing in Kargil began
during the mid-1998. Indian forces drove them out
fighting bravely. The death toll, including both
soldiers and civilians, was more than 30,000.
 India argued that the infiltrators were trained and
armed by Pakistan, and based in "Azad Kashmir"
with the full knowledge of the Pakistani government.
Pakistan said that they were freedom fighters (!) from
Kashmir and that it was giving only moral support.

49. A Few Questions to Ponder over
 Was Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru mainly
responsible for the Kashmir issue?
 Why India always takes soft stand?
Shouldn’t we be offensive rather than
defensive?
 Shouldn’t the Article 370 of India's
constitution be removed?
 Isn’t Kashmir our Natinal Pride ?
Shall we allow Pak to snetch it from
us ? – NEVER.

52. Dances of Kashmir

53. THE HIMALAYAS
GENERAL CLIMATOLOGY AND
GEOMORPHOLOGY
STRETCHES 2500 km (NW to SE)
WIDTH : 250-300 km

54. Classical Dances

55. Art