THE PRIMARY INFORMATION OF INDIA

THE PRIMARY INFORMATION OF INDIA

·         Continent: Southern Asia

·         Climate: Varies; northern areas have winter snow, while elsewhere it is generally hot. The rainy season begins in June and lasts four to seven months, depending on location.

School:

·         The school year begins in April in most of north and east India, and in June in most of south and west India.

·         Barely half of children in India finish primary school. Dropout rates are higher for girls; only about 40% of adult women in India can read.

Play:

·         Pachisi (Parcheesi) has been called India's “national game.” Kite flying is also a widespread passion.

·         Hockey, cricket and soccer are very popular. Kabaddi, a complex, fast-paced team contact sport, is now played throughout Asia.

Family:

·         The “joint family” system is a common tradition, in which the families of several brothers (usually) live together.

·         Tens of millions of children in India—more than in any other country—work to help support their families.

Signature foods:

·         Chapati, an unleavened bread that is cooked on a griddle until brown and bubbly, then spread with butter or oil

·         India's famous chutneys—fresh or cooked relishes—are used at almost every meal. Nuts, chilies, fruits, herbs and spices are common chutney ingredients.

Interesting animals:

·         The Indian rhinoceros, a solitary, single-horned animal that spends much of its time wallowing in mud

·         The quick-moving pygmy hog, the world's smallest pig—weighing just 10 pounds

·         Unique holiday: Diwali, the five-day autumn “festival of lights” that illuminates homes and temples throughout India with candles and oil lamps.

·         Did you know? Two of the world's major religions, Hinduism and Buddhism, were founded in India. Today India also has significant populations of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and Jains.