What AMERICANS need to know to benefit from an Emerging Asia
India is certainly one of the cradles of human civilization. Hinduism and Buddism began here. The teachings of Mahatma Gandhi helped shaped cultural revolutions all over the world. India is a hodge podge of different cultures, ethnicities and languages.
It is the second most populous country on Earth and the second fastest growing large economy behind China. In fact, many economists believe that someday India will one day surpass China economically. English is the common language and there is a large, educated working force that is already providing much of America's outsourcing labor. You will want to keep an eye on India for the long term.
LOCATION: India is bordered by Pakistan in the northwest, China, Bhutan and Nepal in the northeast, and Myanmar and Bangladesh to the east. The northern part of the country faces the Himalaya mountains. The southern part is faces the Indian Ocean.
SIZE: About one-third the size of the United States.
POPULATION: 1.13 billion people. India is the second most populous country in the world behind China.
PEOPLE: India is the most culturally, linguistically and genetically diverse country in the world. 80.5% of Indians are Hindu (more than 800 million). 13.4% are Muslims, 2.3% Christians, 1.9% Sikhs, and 0.8% Buddhists.
GOVERNMENT: India is the largest democracy in the world. The president is the official head of state, but the prime minister holds the real power.
CURRENCY: The rupee.
LANGUAGE: It is estimated that as many as 1652 dialects are spoken in India. Hindi is the official language of India, but English is widely spoken and considered a second official language.
TRAVEL: India can be a difficult place to travel. Visitors are faced with severe poverty, pollution and over crowding on a daily basis. With poverty comes crime so you need to remain aware at all times. Several Indian regions like Jammu and Kashmir are prone to political violence. Things can be inefficient. Schedules are not always followed, lines are often unruly mobs, and many officials expect a bribe before performing the simplest of tasks. It's a good place to hire a package tour and let someone else handle the details. The Taj Mahal is a must see sight and one of the few tourist attractions meticulously maintained in India.
VISA: You must have a visa. $60 for 6 months, $75 for a year. If you are on a Student, Employment, Research or Missionary visa, you need to register within 14 days of arrival with the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer where you will be staying. If the place you are staying at doesn't have one, you need to register at the local police station. All visitors who intend to stay more than 180 days also need to be registered.
GETTING THERE: Direct flights from the United States are provided by American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Air India, and Jet Airways. Cathay Pacific Airlines connects to Mumbai through Hong Kong.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: India may have a disturbing poverty problem right now, but their future looks promising. India adds about five million telephone subscribers every month. The total number of subscribers now is estimated near 250 million. In 2005-2006 international and domestic air traffic grew by 35% while cargo grew 12%. India's retail sector is estimated to be a US$350 billion industry and is growing at a growth rate of 47% a year.
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Thanks! Kent Ninomiya, Managing Editor EmergingDragon.com
