General Purpose: Indian sub continent is diverse and too large to administer.
Specific Purpose: Geographically, culturally, religiously and significantly diverse population cohabit Indian sub continent. The variety in geography has led to unequal sharing of natural resources and infrastructure. Religious preferences have led to violence, terrorism and activism. Democratic rule aiding internal divisions of large states and ever-increasing population is leading the country to cross roads of uncertainty.
Thesis: Present state of affairs in the Indian sub continent is an amalgam of historical events and global factors of economic sways.
I. Introduction
A. Geography
B. Hindu nation
II. Zones of Diversity
A. Climatic and geographic zones
B. Urban versus rural
III. Infrastructure
A. Physical infrastructure
B. Social Infrastructure
IV. Weather and climate
A. Influence on people and agriculture
B. Increase in activism and insurgency
V. Military conflicts
VI. Lines of Communication
VII. Civil considerations
VIII. Conclusion
India is a mystic land of cultural abundance and transforming milieu.
I. Introduction
India is a multi-cultural nation lying within the south East Asian countries of the world. It is famous for its multiple languages, ancient traditions, religious festivals, and climatically diverse regions. Its varied cuisine, forms, religions and colorful traditional clothes also make it unique. In recent times management and governance of such diversity has become difficult due to varied interests of its citizens. Historical and current events are affecting bi-lateral relations with neighboring countries.
A. Geography
India shares boundaries with Pakistan and Afghanistan on the western side and Himalaya Mountains and Tibet on the North. Bangladesh and Bhutan flank the east and Sri Lanka, Lakshadweep islands lay towards the south. Based on language and culturally shared resources the country is divisible into 28 states and 7 union territories. It is the second most populous country within Asia after China and with densities of 382 persons per square kilometer (Population of India, 2013).
B. Hindu nation
The country has seen many changes over centuries, which included foreign invasions by Alexander the Great, Turkish and Moguls from the west and much later by the British. Invasions divided the country several times. The Mogul invasions brought Islam to India and the culture associated with it. British rule for 200 years taught the country to be self-reliant built the rail infrastructure. India's cultural invasions have been far greater than the physical division of land. Newer religions came and made home here but India has retained the predominantly Hindu religious orientation. Military conflicts with neighboring countries of Pakistan and China have escalated in the 20th century, partially because of religious differences and due non-consensual land divisions. Democracy has defined the country and non-aggression with its neighbors has dominated its public policy. Protecting national interests has become difficult because this kind of subservient nature is considerably docile by other nations.
II. Zones of diversity
What makes India unique to its setting is its diversity. There are four major religions in the country- Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Buddhism. India's people are 80% Hindu, 13% Muslim and 2% Christian (Religion, Census of India 2011). Indian Constitution recognizes 18 official languages with their multitudes of local dialects and slangs. Cuisines are predominantly two kinds- North Indian and South Indian. There are eight dance forms within the country unique to each other and music, art and architecture with similar categories.
A. Climatic and geographic zones
India is the largest country in this part of the world occupying 1,269,219 square miles and thus called the sub continent. It is broadly divisible into three major geographic regions - northern, mountainous Himalayan region, the Indo-Gangetic plains fed by three major rivers (Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra) and the southern and central plateau (The World Fact book - India. 2011). The Indo-Gangetic plains are fertile lands producing food grains, fruits and vegetables making the country self sufficient in food production. Rivers in India are the sources of food, hydroelectric power and are beds for religious establishments. The south and central plateau is dry, rocky land but feeds few southbound rivers. Due to such vast variety of landforms, micro climatic regions, the culture of each region is uniquely different from one another. Some regions do not have access to the distribution of power and water because of their geographic location.
B. Urban versus rural
During the British times, India was 90% rural, agricultural country. Now 65 years after Declaration of Independence from British rule it can be termed as 72% Rural and 28% Urban (India Census, 2011). The transformation of rural to urban occurred in such a short span that it has negative reparations. Agriculture has suffered tremendously in the recent past due to water and power shortages. Monsoon rain dependent crops suffer due to climate change and rural folks migrate to urban areas seeking jobs. Therefore, the push factor of rural areas and pull factor of urban areas is leading to dramatic change in physical as well as cultural milieu.
III. Infrastructure
Top two reasons for infrastructure development in India are it is one of the world’s fastest growing economies and has few restrictions on foreign direct investment (FDI) for infrastructure projects (PriceWaterCoopers, 2008). There is tremendous scope of development within the country.
A. Physical infrastructure
India boasts of well-connected Rail and road services. Indian Railways is one of the world's largest employers and State Road Transportation Corporations, which run local, intercity bus services, support it. It is a country, which is heavily dependent on public transportation though in the recent past, individual car ownership has risen. Well knit power grids, air links to major and minor cities, drinking water and sanitation services in most cities are other infrastructure available. There is a dearth of infrastructure in the rural and semi-urban areas.
B. Social infrastructure
The urban-rural divide is widening in India and its implications on the culture are evident. Marriage as an institution had been strong but number of divorces in urban areas are now on the rise. Youth mimicking western ways of clothes, mannerisms are commonplace in cities. There is neither opportunity nor space to celebrate festivals in urban areas and so many households forego traditions. Pub culture, teenage love affairs, drug abuse, crime against women and children are slowly seeping into urban areas.
IV. Weather and Climate
Climatically India is divisible into six zones - Highland, humid sub tropical, tropical wet and dry, arid, semi-arid and tropical wet. Humid sub-tropical and tropical wet and dry zones are major zones of agricultural production. All other zones have recreational activities, tourist attractions and smaller industrial production belts. The country experiences four seasons summer, rainy, winter and spring season. Two major monsoons bring seasonal rains - southwestern and northeastern. Agriculture is mainly dependent on the rainfall and supported by the rivers.
A. Influence on People, agriculture
There is no dearth of food in India if the monsoons arrive in time and rivers receive their annual rainfall in the catchment areas. In the past two decades the amount of rainfall received through monsoons has significantly altered, increasing demand on river sources (India Meteorological Department, 201). Population too has increased rapidly despite well meaning efforts by government to control birth rate. Due to these factors, there is friction amongst neighboring states on water sharing.
B. Increase in activism and insurgency
Frequent shortages of water and power, uneven distribution of wealth between rural and urban settlements, food production failing to counter red tape, selfish motives of politicians are some of the factors leading to activism amongst Indian populous. The rich and poor divide has widened significantly in the recent past. Other religion-based factors are also leading to insurgency, terrorism within the country.
V. Military conflicts
Historically India struggled with infighting amongst city-states and provinces and bringing it under one rule had been arduous. The country was free in 1947 but divided into India, Pakistan separating people by religions. The treaties signed during that era and later have been contentious and Pakistan invaded India three times (1947, 1967, 1975 and more recently Kargil war). East and West Pakistan separated into different countries - Bangladesh and Pakistan. Such frequent splits and China occupying some territories of India are present, ongoing military conflicts. While dialogue and International Court may resolve these issues, there seem to be no permanent solution to these rivalries.
VI. Lines of Communication
For long India had maintained non-attack mode on its neighbors seeking legal counsel or mediation in the matters of cross border relations. Bomb blasts in major cities, attacks on government offices and officials have become common. This pro-dialogue orientation has made India a soft target for cross border terrorism. Frequent attacks on citizens have made routine living dangerous. Uprooting internal and external terrorism is a top agenda for Indian government who struggles with multitude of problems.
VII. Civil considerations
In the present times India is progressing technologically, adopting the ways of the world opened its doors to globalization and economically booming. Its infrastructure is stable and there is an upbeat in the citizen's economic growth. The factors and events, which mire the progress of the nation, are cross-border disputes and increasing terrorism within the country. Uncontrolled population growth, unsafe cities for women and children and increasing pressure on urban areas are other contributing factors. People of the nation are not too happy with distribution of environment, vegetation, water and electric power.
VIII. Conclusion
For an average Indian national spirit is not a very clear idea. Ridden by poverty and struggle for existence the common person in India leads a difficult life. Finding greener avenues, urbanites immigrate to other countries with less competition for jobs. Unifying a country of diverse interests has and will continue to be difficult for national leaders. The hope remains that the nations’ past historical wisdom will prevail to guide it into stable times.
Works Cited
www.Indiaonlinepages.com. "India's population 2013." Available at http://www.indiaonlinepages.com/population/india-current-population.html. Date of Access 09-28-2013.
Census India. " Religion". Distribution of Population by Religion. The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India, New Delhi, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Available at http://censusindia.gov.in/Census_And_You/religion.aspx. Date of Access 09-28-2013.
Amanda Briney. "Geography and History of India." Central Intelligence Agency. CIA - The World Factbook -- India. Retrieved from: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/in.html. 20 January 2011.
Rural Urban Distribution of Population - India, Census of India 2011. Health Education to Villages. Available at http://hetv.org/india/india-population-2012.htm. 2011
Elizabeth Montgomery Et.al, PriceWaterCoopers. Infrastructure in India: A vast land of construction opportunity. 2008. Available at http://www.pwc.in/en_IN/in/assets/pdfs/infrastructure-in-india.pdf
P Guhathakurta, O P Sreejith and P A Menon. "Impact of climate change on extreme rainfall
Events and flood risk in India". India Meteorological Department. Available at http://www.ias.ac.in/jessci/jun2011/359.pdf. 2011
Clarity Index
a. COUNTS i. Words_____1652ii. Paragraphs___62iii. Sentences___91b. AVERAGESi. Sentences per Paragraph____4.3ii. Words per Sentence______16.6c. READABILITYi. Passive Sentences________0%ii. Flesch Reading Ease_________32.5iii. Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level_____12. 1
