 |
About India |
|
|
|
|
India is simply impossible !!
That's a line we've heard over and over again from first-time visitors, as well as seasoned Indophiles. And we're gonna keep hearing it too...
It's a land of startling contrasts and one where more than 2,000 languages and dialects are spoken by a billion people . Many gestures of Indians prove them to be the most civilized people on earth, while some habits seem to be most primitive. Technological advancements and age-old practices go hand in hand. Hi-tech cars and bullock carts ply together...
We spoke about the Contrasting Realities of Mumbai in the Diverse Unity page. Here are some more:
|
|
• |
Women's lib
A land where women have traditionally remained confined to the kitchen.
A land that has churned out the highest number of Miss Worlds in recent years. |
• |
The Sound of Music
Langas and Manganiars, the traditional court singers of Western Rajasthan, sing devotional folk songs of Hindu deities such as Lord Krishna. Unfailingly, they all are Muslims. |
• |
Education
Highest number of illiterates in the world.
Highest number of software professionals in the world. |
| • |
The magic Wallah
A rich language Hindi is. A highly practical one too. To address a vendor, just suffix wallah to his job - milk wallah, chai wallah, rickshaw wallah, etc. Simple, isn't it?! Most Parsi surnames are just that - Daruwala (Daru means liquour), Screwvala (ah well...) |
| • |
Bar Coding
The dhobi (washerman) picks up the laundry from dozens of hotel rooms. Along with others of his ilk, he washes and irons the clothes at the same dhobi-ghat (place to wash clothes en masse). Next morning the clothes are delivered back without EVER being mixed up - thanks to the unique marking system used by the illiterate dhobis. |
| • |
Real Politik
Longest serving democratically elected government in the world ( 22 years at a stretch in the state of West Bengal). The record of shortest ones too in India (13 days, 7days, and even 3 days). |
| • |
Wedlock
94% marriages are arranged ones.
Rarely do the bride and groom know each other before the engagement. Many times they have never seen each other before the wedding day.
|
|
|
