India

India is currently ranked 131 out of 189 countries in the Human Development Index (HDI).  India is the second largest country by population and is home to some of the poorest and most marginalised people in the world.  21% of India’s population lives below the International Poverty Line ($1.90 per day).

The Indian Caste system creates a hierarchy of status adding inequality and social exclusion to an already complex register of issues, not least food insecurity.

Gender inequality is a persistent challenge in India, with girls typically only benefitting from 5.4 years of schooling, versus 8.7 years for boys.  2.8 million children are out of school in India and 27% of girls are married before their 18th birthday.

Life in India

India is the second most populous country in the world (1.380 billion) and 7th largest country in the world in terms of land mass (1,269,010 square miles).

India declared its independence from the United Kingdom on 15 August 1947.  King George VI (of Great Britain) remained as the country’s head of state until 26 January 1950, when the nation adopted the constitution of India (celebrated today as Indian Republic Day).  India’s Independence Movement has been noted for its largely non-violent resistance and civil disobedience.

India is an extremely unique land full of breathtaking topography and a rich, vibrant history.  The country lays claim to many interesting facts, such as being the largest democracy in the world, the country with the highest number of official spoken languages, and being the home of yoga and chess, to name but a few.

India takes its name from the River Indus, around whose valleys early settlers made their homes.