India

India is a vast country located in South Asia. It is hugely populated with as many as 1.2 billion people. Not surprisingly it is home to different cultures and beliefs the main ones being, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism. This is not an exhaustive list and there are also other cultures such as Islam and Christianity.

Flag of India

Background information on India

 In its more recent history it had been part of English imperialism. The English made their mark on Indian soil and the influence of this, even to this day, is still evident. At that time there was some growing unrest in India about the British being there and in order to address this before it was seen to get out of hand Hume was appointed. Hume was a British civil servant who consulted with Indian leaders. There was held a huge convention where the already formed Indian National Union was invited along with other delegates. From this convention developed the Indian National congress party. The hope was that it would bring some peace to the British who were established there creating a link and voice to the people if India. What happened however was that it grew in strength and became their greatest opposers. There was also division within the party in that it was seen a predominantly Hindu and Muslims were warned against being apart of it. In 1906 the all Indian Muslim league was formed, it seems that this developed in response to what was seen as the Hindu National Congress Party. There become multiple divisions within India what with the British, they Muslim party and the Hindu National Congress Party. The Muslims had supported the British originally in the Second World war however later they wanted freedom from the British rule. In some ways both the National Congress party and the Muslim League agreed to wanting freedom for India from British rule but it seems the problem was how this would be accommodated to satisfy each. There was mass rioting from the Muslim League against the National Congress Party. It seems that there was not going to be peace in India for the 2 parties and their respective cultures to co-exist and so the partition of India was announced in 1947. This was to separate India and Pakistan. The was one of the dominant historical markers for India. The years had seen India come into politics and leaders such as Nehru and Gandhi became well known. Gandhi became known for his non violent protests, his attempts to bring peace without war. He was himself shot on the 30^th of January 1948. Today these countries remain separated.  India is now rated as one of the fastest growing economies however there remains much poverty with inadequate health services and public health needs being unmet. There is a divide between the affluent and the poorer people of India.

Must see Highlights of India

Taj Mahal; Agra.

River Ganges.

Jaipur; the pink city

Gateway of India.

Backwaters of Kerala

Beaches of Goa