Saturday, July 31, 2010
India's Geography and Climate
India’s climate is a testament to its varied landscape. Different parts of India experience different temperatures at different times. While it may be cooler in the North during March to September the South experience their cooler temperature during November to January. In June, winds and warm surface currents begin to move northwards and westwards, heading out of the Indian Ocean and into the Arabian Gulf. This creates a phenomenon known as the south-west monsoon, and it brings heavy rains to the west coast. Between October and December, a similar climatic pattern called the north-east monsoon appears in the Bay of Bengal, bringing rains to the east coast. In addition to the two monsoons, there are two other seasons, spring and autumn. Whilst the monsoon may sound like a catastrophe it’s not all bad news for India as it brings about lush green paddocks and a shimmering landscape.
www.geographia.com/india/
Raaflaub, K. A. (n.d.). Geography and Ethnography : Perceptions of the World in Pre-Modern Societies.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Geography Of India
The Himalayas
The Himalayas when translated from Sanskrit, an ancient language of the Indo-Aryan people situated around the Himalayan region, means the “Abode of Snow” and the mountain range is the northern barrier of the Indian sub-continent.
Geographical
This barrier, the Himalayas makes is made up the 92 mountain ranges/areas which are greater than seven thousand three hundred metres tall (which makes for the world’s largest mountain system) (indiasite.com) and arcs around creating a natural border for the Indian people as it spans from the Indus River valley in the west all the way to the Brahmaputra River valley in the east. Overall the Himalayas’ range for approximately two thousand two hundred kilometres long and varies in width from the maximum of four hundred kilometres in the western regions to its minimum width of one hundred and fifty kilometres in the eastern regions.
Ecosystem - River Systems
The river systems that originate from the Himalayas hold the key to survival in this region of the world. The amount of people this mountain range affects after all of these contributing river systems continue into their drainage areas, the population that have made these areas their homes and livelihoods is approximately three billion people (that’s half the world’s entire population).
The major river that affects India that origins from the Himalayas is the Ganges or Ganga River, is the longest river in the Indian subcontinent and the Ganga and its many tributaries are integral to the irrigation system and crop production of many of the towns and regions it passes through before existing in the Bay of Bengal such as Kanpur, Soron, Kannauj, Allahabad, Bhagalpur and Chunar. This Himalayan river (like all the others) is perennial and therefore has a constant flow of water every summer from the melting ice caps of the glaciers in the mountain ranges. (InterKnowledge Corp. 1997- 2005)
http://www.geographia.com/india/
http://www.indiasite.com/land/himalayas.html
http://www.indiasite.com/land/rivers.html
http://www.indiasite.com/land/ganga.html
India's Climate
The word ‘India’ means ‘body of water’, it is a vast country which spans thousands of miles in all four directions (North,West,South,East). Geographers have emphasised that like the terrain the climate is highly diverse, that is to say the countries size and difference in altitude can have an influence over the impact of weather in a particular place.
When studying the Indian climate rather than making generalisations it is easier to divide the country into different regions: the tropical wet, tropical dry and the subtropical humid and montane, inasmuch these regions can be further divided into four climate zones:
1. Alpine zones the Himalayas that is subject to frequent climatic changes, they also act as barriers to the frigid winds flowing down from South Asia.
2. Subtropical zones are found within the Northern parts of India which experience heavy rainfalls and dry and cold winters.
3. Tropical zones are found in the middle of India, experiences wet monsoon or dry and cold monsoon, although the whole country is considered to be tropical.
4. Arid Zone are experienced in the western parts of India with lower than average rainfalls and scorching summers (particularly within Rajasthan) as high as 50 degrees Celsius.
The Indian year passes through four seasons: the relatively dry cool winter (December – February), the dry hot summer (March – May), the southwest monsoon which delivers much of the countries rain falls (June – September), travelling towards the Northwest of India and than retreating back from the same path (October – November).
Hence the diversity in weather all but adds to the colourful picture of India’s natural beauty.
http://www.besttofind.com/Travel/Asia-Travel/India-Travel/Know-India/Climate-of-India/Climate-of-India.htm
http://www.articlesbase.com/art-articles/indian-climate-india-is-known-for-its-diversity-in-climate-680673.html
Monday, July 26, 2010
Indian Movie Facts
India, since the beginning of 20th century had produced many movies. It produced 1000 movies annually and currently has one of the biggest film industries in the whole world aside from United States, China and Europe. People often mistaken that they called the Indian movie as a “Bollywood” Movies. In reality, Bollywood is a company which based in Mumbai India that produced many Indian Movies with Hindi language only. This is quite an opposite. Some of the actors and actress that currently graces India’s movie scene nowadays is on High demand from Hollywood’s movie directors. Name such as Sharukh Khan, Aiswarya Rai and Dev Patel have been contacted to featured in future Hollywood movie. There were a lot of famous Indian movie (both Local and International) which not only famous in India alone but the whole world. Such as: Slumdog Millionaire and My Name Is Khan.
http://www.thecolorsofindia.com/interesting-facts/cinema/index.html
http://www.indiamarks.com/guide/Interesting-Facts-about-Indian-Films-and-Indian-Cinema/9494/
India Population
In 1950, India’s total fertility was approximately 6 children per one woman. Since 1950 India there has been attempts to control population growth. In 1983, the goal of the country’s National Health policy to replace the value of fertility rate of 2.1 by the year 2000. This did not occur.
In 2000, the country established a new national population policy to reduce the growth of the country’s population. One of the primary goals of the policy was to reduce the total fertility rate to 2.1 by 2010; one of the steps along the path towards the goal in 2010 was a total fertility rate by 2.6 by 2002.
As the total fertility rate in India remained high and has become 2.8, that goal was not achieved. So it’s unlikely that the total fertility rate will be 2.1 by 2010. India population will continue to grow.
http://geography.about.com/od/obtainpopulationdata/a/indiapopulation.htm
The Ideals of Indian Art
Indian Art is the art produced on the Indian subcontinent from about the 3rd millennium BC to modern times. Indian art is also an art of social, political and religious influences that can be observed in its modern as well as in its traditional forms.
Indian art can be classified into specific periods, each reflecting particular religious, political and cultural developments.
· Ancient period (3500 BCE-1200 CE)
· Islamic ascendancy (1192-1757)
· Colonial period (1757–1947)
· Independence and the postcolonial period (Post-1947)
The purpose of art is that Indian artist’s heavily relied on religious scriptures to draw inspiration, prayers, fables etc.
Traditional art of India have always identified the female and considered sacred. For example this is why in many art forms there are paintings of Indian women dressed in white symbolising the purest form of India being mother earth.
http://www.art.in/indian-art.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_art (remembering this is not a reliable source “only posted the periods of art through this site”
Hinduism does not advocate the worship of one particular deity. One may worship Shiva or Vishnu or Rama or Krishna or some other gods and goddesses or one may believe in the 'Supreme Spirit' or the 'Indestructible Soul' within each individual and still be called a good Hindu.
There are festivals and ceremonies associated not only with gods and goddesses but also with the sun, moon, planets, rivers, oceans, trees and animals. Some of the popular Hindu festivals are Deepawali, Holi, Dussehra, Ganesh Chaturthi, Pongal, Janamasthmi and Shiva Ratri. These innumerable festive occasions lend Hinduism its amazing popular appeal and make the Indian tradition rich and colorful.
There are some similarities between Hinduism and Buddhism. Buddhism is based on the principle or the law of impermanence. According to this practice, it is the karma which leads to the occurrence of all events.
http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/india/religion.htm
Free - Trade Links
In regards to the free trade agreement (FTA), and if it is to be concluded by this estimated date, then the investment trades in Delhi would be expect to increase rapidly and that could result in a positive turn over if the negotiable contract is approved. This is seen as a positive land slid towards the massive population of India as opportunities for work placement and jobs can be provided.
This negotiating plan has been going on since 2007 between India and the European Union, even though nine rounds of free trade negotiations have been complete, we are expected to see more market opening strategies and plans for the upcoming years. It is expected that India can increase the mass production and exports if the FTA concludes by the end of 2010. However, the trade’s services index is expected to increase double in result to $US200 billion in the next four years.
http://news.indiamart.com/story/india-eu-discuss-free-trade-pact-next-month-59107.html
An Aspect of the Indian Political System
Lok Sabha (Lower House): Parliament in India
The Lok Sabha, also known as the House of People is representative of the people who are chosen through direct election. These people are chosen on the basis of adult suffrage. The structure consists of a maximum of 552 members. 530 are chosen to represent the states, 20 are chosen to represent the union territories and no more than 2 are chosen to represent the Anglo- Indian community, although this is only if the president feels that the representation of this community is inadequate.
To become a member of the Lok Sabha you must be over the age of 25 years. The term for these representatives is 5 years although this time may be extended if the Proclamation of Emergency is in process.
The Indian political structure consists of a political party known as a national party or a state party (just like in Australia, we have a federal government and a state government). Throughout India there are many national parties that are recognised. These include:
Indian National Congress
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Communist Party of India (CPI)
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
Bahujan Samaj Party
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)
http://parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/intro/introls.htm
http://library.thinkquest.org/11372/data/POLITICS.HTM
Brief History of India. Many Perspectives
1600 East India company constituted
1857 first War of Independence
1942-43 Quit India movement formed
1947 India gains freedom Nehru First Prime Minister
1948 Mahatma Gandhi assassinated
1965 War with Pakistan/then ceasfire
These were some of the many events that have shaped modern India as we know it today. The continuing tensions with Pakistan will influence India's future. This is a view from a western perspective. But it only tells some of the story. Indian history from a Indian point of view would be very different. How would the people of India view their history. What events would be significant? The Hindu population would view their history in a totally different light to how the Muslims would see India's history. Different perspectives come from different experinces of history. It is important we keep this in mind as we look at India. That we are aware of how our experince or perspective will colour our version of history.
http://voiceofdharma.org/books/hhrmi/ch1.htm
indian drama/ramayana
The Ramayana story is especially important to Hindus because it is possible for ordinary people to identify with the characters and situations. The heroes and heroines are emulated for their positive qualities of honesty, devotion, perseverance, fidelity, and bravery. Strongly evident in this story is the portrayal of pure evil and those who have the courage to resist and overcome that evil.
If you would like to find out more about this topic just follow the link
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3664739437466035640
from cheryl
The Spice of Life
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Ayurveda
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda
The Indus Valley Basic Story
The Indus Valley is located in the Western part of the Indian sub-continent around the Indus River. It is now primarily in Pakistan and extending in to the western area of modern India. The area surrounding the Indus Valley dates back to 2,500 BCE and displays an advanced rich culture. Having remained hidden for eons until the late 1920’s when excavations at the site uncovered houses and streets of an obviously advanced civilization.
These diggings have uncovered traces of script which would have enabled the leaders to document and control. There are also traces of agricultural methods including crops such as cotton, rice and sesame. Carvings also exhibit the use of animals having been domesticated and used as beasts of labour.
It is thought the civilization commenced to decline about 1900 BCE as a result of over use of the agricultural system along with successive floods causing devastation in the area. Some of the flimsy dwellings were the first to collapse followed by major buildings and roadways.
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ab73