Indian customs, history, culture, lifestyle, and life

This book is the India edition of the World Cultural Journey series and covers the overall content of Indian customs, history, culture, lifestyle, and life.
Whether you are visiting India for business or simply for pleasure, we will help you make your time in India richer and more memorable.
This book contains information on local Indian customs and traditions, history, religion, politics, Indian families, work, leisure, food, clothing, shelter, and communication.

The vast Indian peninsula is bordered by the Himalayas to the north, the Arabian Sea to the west, and the Bay of Bengal to the east, and, along with its neighbors Pakistan and Bangladesh, sits on a separate tectonic plate from the Asian mainland.
It also borders China, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar (formerly Burma).
---From "Chapter 1 Territory and People"

But caste consciousness still persists.
Indians seem to have an innate radar, born from their personal and cultural history, that scans the puzzle of the caste system for clues that tell them where they fit.
Even for those who are less likely to adhere to caste norms in their daily lives, the importance of caste becomes very clear when they have to make important life decisions, such as marriage.
---From "Chapter 2: Values ​​and Way of Thinking"

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims aged 12 and older (except pregnant women and the elderly) are required to abstain from food and drink during daylight hours and from sinful or selfish acts.
After the sun sets, families and friends gather for a feast, often lasting until the early hours of the morning.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of a month-long festival commemorating the revelation of the Quran to Muhammad.
---From "Chapter 3 Customs and Traditions"

Indians tend to be affectionate and expressive, with a deep sense of loyalty and belonging.
People do their best to meet their friends' needs and actively help them through hard times.
There are even many people who do not hesitate to risk their lives and livelihoods for each other.
If an Indian considers you a friend, you have entered into a network of relationships that will bring both joy and responsibility.
Because Indian friendship holds expectations that Westerners never anticipate.
---From "Chapter 4 Making Friends"

You can find the word 'privacy' in any Indian dictionary.
But in India, you'll struggle to find privacy, at least not in the way you perceive it.
Westerners define privacy in terms of personal space, confidential information, and freedom from intrusion.
But in India, privacy is generally not about being 'hidden' but about 'being ignored'.
---From "Chapter 5 Daily Life"

It is said that there are two religions in India: cricket and cinema.
Although the official national sport is hockey, Indians are passionate about cricket and the Board of Control for Cricket in India is the wealthiest cricket board in the world.
When a cricket match is in progress, you can see people all over the country gathered in front of their TVs and radios or connected to their mobile phones to cheer on their team.
---From "Chapter 6 Leisure Life"

While there is some degree of public transportation throughout India, if you want to travel at your own pace or go to distant destinations without the inevitable crowds and delays of bus travel or the geographical restrictions of taxis, renting a car with a driver is a good option.
Hiring a driver with your car is relatively inexpensive and will still provide enough thrills for any adrenaline junkie.
Or, you can use BlaBlaCar, a ride-sharing service that lets you log in with Facebook, to find someone going in the same direction who can give you a ride.
---From Chapter 7: Travel, Health, and Safety

Once considered a study of Third World poverty or an exotic destination for adventurous tourists, India has now established itself as a global one-stop technology hub.
Reforms over the past three decades have attracted foreign investment, lowered tariffs, opened the financial sector, and deregulated industry.
India has grown into a global powerhouse, creating wealth and jobs, opening new markets, and providing crucial technologies to the global economy.
---From "Chapter 8 Business Status"

English and its Indian variants are used not only in the workplace and clubs, but also on TV, in movies, and in modern literature.
While some purists argue for a return to pre-colonial languages, the English tsunami hit India long ago, and a wave of Indian English, or "Hinglish," and American expressions and accents from IT-educated people continue to pour into the country.

---From Chapter 9: Communication