Life in India
India is the most populous democracy in the world. Its government is a federal republic of 28 states, and the voting age is 18. New Delhi is the capital city.
The population of India is estimated at over 1.1 billion people, which is more than three times the population of the U.S. There are more than 500 million children in India under the age of 14, which is about 47% of the country's total population.
About 750 million people live in rural villages of 1,000-1,500 inhabitants. About 250 million people live in urban areas that are mostly near the coastline.
There are 18 major languages in the country of India, each spoken by at least 10 million people. In addition, there are nearly 1,650 dialects used by the people of different regions.
Work
In the rural areas of the state of Tamil Nadu where the children live, many of the men work in rice paddies or vegetable and fruit fields owned by landlords and make about $1 per day. Due to the rainy season, they are only able to work about 10 days a month on average throughout the year. Men also work in garment or steel factories, depending on the proximity of their villages to the factories. Most of the women are unskilled, uneducated and stay in the village to care for their children. Villages have no running water or electricity, so running a household is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Some women work odd jobs, such as working in the fields or as laborers, but make only about 50 cents a day.
Shelter
Huts are made with a thatched roof and mud floors, and are about 6 x 10 ft in size. The stoves are built outside, and the majority of life is lived outdoors. Men sleep outdoors and women sleep indoors.Education
The Indian government provides a low-quality education. Schools are located mostly in urban areas, making it difficult for children living in rural locations to receive an education. Teachers are involved not only in teaching, but in motivating students to come to class.
Health Care
Health Care in India is extremely minimal and there is no basic immunization. Infant mortality is high at 63 deaths/1000 births compared with 7 deaths/1000 births in the United States. Nearly 12 percent of all children born in India will not live to see their first birthday.Clothing
Men wear a dhoti, while boys wear shirts and shorts. Women wear a long skirt and blouse, churidhar (pants), long top and scarf, or sari (1 piece, 5 yards long wrapped around skirt and blouse). Neither men nor women are used to wearing shoes.Indian News
Become familiar with news and events relative to where your sponsored child lives.Interesting Links
- National Portal of India - This link connects Internet users with information provided by various Indian Government groups. You can view information about health, wellness, the Indian economy and other interesting facts about India.
- World Health Organization: India - Get linked up with health and wellness statistics for India through the World Health Organization.
- Indian Government Websites - Visit various Indian government websites such as Ministries of Banking, Education, and Health & Medical.
- National Geographic: India - Learn fun facts, and view photos and maps of India through the eyes of National Geographic Magazine.
- India Today- This is one of the most widely read news magazines in South Asia. Read on to learn what's happening in India today.
