10 curiosities of India as it emerges as the most populous country in the world

According to United Nations estimates, India will have a population of 1.429 million by the middle of this year, almost surpassing China.
Three million people. That is, it will be the most populous country on earth, and the Indian will be, in a way, the most representative human being of all. Even so, this subcontinent is full of unknowns, and in this article we will try to clarify at least some of them.

1) Growing and uneven power

India is already the world’s fifth largest economy in terms of GDP (behind the US, China, Japan and Germany), but at the same time, 10% of the population owns 55% of the national income.

Billionaires connected to new technologies coexist with pockets of poverty. Society has for centuries been divided into four castes: Brahmins (priests and intellectuals), Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers), Vaishyas (traders and artisans) and Shudras (farmers and labourers). The country has a young workforce: about 650 million Indians are under the age of 25.

2) Unrelenting growth till 2060

Minute by minute of the Asian subcontinent offers many interests. For example, about 68,000 daily births. This gives about 8,600,000 per annum. More men than women (few
739 million, 51.6%; 692 million versus 48.4%). In turn, the population is projected to continue growing until 2060, when it will be exactly 1,678,568,102 inhabitants, then decrease to 1,675,744,290 in 2065, and reach a progressive decline.

3) Origin of 4 religions

Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism are practiced in this particular region. The government recognizes the country’s secularism, so none of them are official. Likewise, there is a clear dominance
Hinduism is followed by 80% of the population. After Christianity and Islam, it is the most popular doctrine in the world.

4) Cows are sacred

The cow is considered a sacred animal, under the argument that it represents a “bountiful” animal that produces milk in excess of demand and supplies it to all. In this way, their sacrifice is unacceptable. That’s why about 150 million specimens graze freely. Typically relationships are formed with them and they are a part of everyday life. Severe punishments apply to those who attempt against their lives.

5) Yes means no

The first thing to know when interacting with locals is that in contrast to what happens in Western culture, the gesture movement used for refusal, head-to-side shaking, is used to say yes in India. This is important information in many situations.

6. Indians and Hindus are not the same

The mistake of calling Indians Hindus is repeated. A Hindu is a practitioner of Hinduism (remember that there are many religions in India), while an Indian is simply a resident of India. The fact that Christopher Columbus thought he had reached such a position in Asia and named the Native Americans as such does not facilitate the distinction.

7) Vegetarianism is paramount

Gastronomy varies greatly by region, but dominates
Rice and pulses, making it mostly vegetarian. Now that front labeling has become very trendy,
It should be noted that special labeling can be found on products that help to quickly identify a product made from vegan ingredients made from animal-derived ingredients. A green dot within a square indicates that the product is vegan; On the other hand, a brown dot indicates that some material of animal origin was used to make that product.

8) Kumbh Mela, the Lollapalooza of Religion

One of the major religious celebrations of Hinduism takes place on the banks of the river Ganges. This is Kumbh Mela, a Hindu festival that takes place four times in twelve years and is celebrated at four different holy points and the exact dates are determined by astrological methods based on the positions of the Sun, Moon and Jupiter. The most important event of this festival is the moment of immersion in the Ganga. Hindus believe that complete immersion in water at the right time washes away all your sins.

9) Bombay is like Greater Buenos Aires

Mumbai is the largest Indian city with a population of 18.35 million in 2020. That’s about 800,000 more people than Greater Buenos Aires. Located in the west of the country, it has the highest population density, with nearly 24,000 people per square kilometer. It responds to the image of crowded Indians in a street or public place. Other cities with high population are New Delhi and Bangalore.

10) Hundred years of British rule

The United Kingdom had India as one of its territories during its imperial phase (at the time, united with Pakistan, Bangladesh and Burma), which lasted from 1858 to 1947. At that time, the system of Indian kings was organized under British protectorate. Ruled by so-called principalities. In 1947, when the British left, they established the Hindu-majority Republic of India and the Muslim-majority Republic of Pakistan, which maintains border conflicts to this day. Burma (now Myanmar) has also been independent since that year.

Modern estimates put 100 to 165 million deaths due to British colonization of India.
Due to famine and poverty of people.