India is undoubtedly one of the most interesting countries in the world. It strikes us with its contrasts, impresses us with its traditions and culture, and stays a secret for most foreigners.
Bright Side gathered 19 amazing facts about this country of spices that will show India from a completely different side.
19. There are 6 seasons in India.
According to the Hindu calendar, there are 6 seasons in India: summer, autumn, winter, spring, the monsoon season, and the winter’s eve season.
18. There is an agreeing gesture.
Instead of common nodding, Indians bobble their heads from side to side. To us, it might look like a condemnation rather than an answer meaning “yes.”
17. India is the largest vegetarian country in the world.
Vegetarianism is one of the traditional features of Hinduism, and that’s why almost 60%of Indians are vegetarians. India also has the lowest percentage of meat consumption per capita.
16. India is the largest English-speaking nation in the world.
There are 2 official languages in India: Hindi and English. What is more, the government accepts 17 other languages. There are 1,650 dialects found across the country.
15. The air is polluted.
There is a problem of air pollution in all big cities, and car exhausts cause smog and breathing difficulties among citizens and visitors. Just one day in Delhi or Mumbai is equal to smoking 100 cigarettes.
14. All the world’s major religions are found in India.
Although 80% of Indians are Hinduism adherents, the country includes all the world’s religions. You can meet followers of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and other religions there.
13. The biggest family in the world lives in India.
The world’s biggest family lives in India. This man has 39 wives and 94 kids.
12. Children’s Day
Children’s Day is celebrated in India on November 14, 9 months after Valentine’s Day.
11. Police are paid for their mustaches.
Indian police officers are given bonus payments if they have a mustache. This idea is argued that mustaches make men more reputable and manful. Moreover, it’s an essential feature of Indian folklore.
10. Indian currency
Foreigners are prohibited to take the local currency (rupees) with them when they leave India.
9. Cows have ID cards.
In West Bengal, an Indian state, each cow should have an ID card with a photo.
8. It is the country of spices.
70% of all spices provided to the world market are produced in India.
7. Population
At present, India’s population is approaching the 1.5 billion mark. It’s higher than anywhere else in the entire Western Hemisphere.
According to the UN, India will soon be able to outrun China.
According to the UN, India will soon be able to outrun China.
6. Divorces
Only 1 marriage out of 100 ends in divorce in India. It’s one of the lowest divorce rates in the world.
5. “Love Commandos”
In India, there is a “vigilance group” called the “Love Commandos.” It supports couples from different castes that are being oppressed.
4. There’s a new way to use popular beverages.
Indian farmers use Coca-Cola and Pepsi instead of expensive pesticides.
3. Women can be very rich.
Indian housewives own 11% of the world’s gold. That’s more than the combined stocks of the USA, Switzerland, Germany, and the International Monetary Fund.
2. They rejected civilization.
India controls Sentinel Island, a territory that remains virtually untouched by modern civilization.
1. The homeland of chess
India is the homeland of chess. The indigenous name of this game is Chaturanga, which means “4 divisions of an army” (namely elephants, chariots, cavalry, and infantry).
Do you know any other facts about this amazing country? Share your impressions with us!
Source: Bright Side