In a country as diverse and complex as India, it is not surprising to find that people here reflect the rich glories of the past, the culture, traditions and values relative to geographic locations and the numerous distinctive manners, habits and food that will always remain truly Indian. According to five thousand years of recorded history, India has been invaded by armies, traders and immigrants who brought with them their own habits, faiths, practices and observances which have all contributed to the rich texture of Indian life and living.
From the eternal snows of the Himalayas to the cultivated peninsula of far South, from the deserts of the West to the humid deltas of the East, from the dry heat and cold of the Central Plateau to the cool forest foothills, Indian lifestyles clearly glorify the geography. The food, clothing and habits of an Indian differ in accordance to the place of origin.
Deep-rooted family values continue to exist in Indian families. The surname of an Indian is based on his caste or place of origin or his family occupation. Men are still considered the head of a family and are consulted for all decisions though they no longer continue to be the single breadwinner. A wife will always serve her husband before she eats. Parents are looked upon with respect and regard. Children are financially supported by their parents throughout their education.
Indians believe in sharing happiness and sorrow. A festival or a celebration is never constrained to a family or a home. The whole community or neighborhood is involved in bringing liveliness to an occasion. A lot of festivals like Diwali, Holi, Id, Christmas, Mahaveer Jayanthi are all celebrated by sharing sweets and pleasantries with family, neighbours and friends. An Indian wedding is an occasion that calls for participation of the family and friends.Similarly, neighbours and friends always help out a family in times of need.
Though ethnically Indians speak different languages, follow different religions, eat the most diverse varieties of food, there is still a richness in Indian arts and culture which is unparalleled anywhere else in the world. The beauty of the Indian people lies in the spirit of tolerance, give-and-take and a composition of cultures that can be compared to a garden of flowers of various colors and shades of which, while maintaining their own entity, lend harmony and beauty to the garden - India!
India and Her Neighbours
The Indian subcontinent stands distinct from the rest of Asia. It is the most natural geographic unit that has developed a very distinctive culture. The countries of the Indian subcontinent are part of one of the most ancient living civilizations, where all religions, faiths, ideologies of the world live together. India borders with Pakistan in the northwest, Tibet autonomous region of China and Nepal in the north, Bhutan in the northeast, Bangladesh and Burma in the east, and Sri Lanka and Maldives in the south.
TheSouth Asian Association for Regional Cooperation or SAARC was established with an idea of bringing about regional cooperation in South Asia. Consultations among the governments of seven South Asian countries - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and subsequent meeting among the Foreign Ministers in New Delhi saw a formal launch of SAARC in 1983. It is now the largest Geo-economic bloc of the world with 1.2 billion people. SAARC aims at promoting peace, stability, amity and progress among the member nations. It recognizes the need for increased cooperation, contact and exchanges among the member nations that will contribute to the promotion of friendship, understanding and harmony among its peoples.
The objectives of the association are:
To promote the welfare of the peoples of SOUTH ASIA and to improve their quality of life
To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and to provide all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and to realize their full potentials
To promote and strengthen collective self reliance among the countries of SOUTH ASIA
To contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another's problems
To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields
To strengthen cooperation with other developing countries
To strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on matters of common interests
To cooperate with international and regional organizations with similar aims and purposes
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