--> Things you might not know about India & Sri Lanka <--
Mumbai (formerly
called Bombay), is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. The
seven islands that came to constitute Bombay were home to communities of
fishing colonies. For centuries, the islands came under the control of
successive kingdoms and indigenous empires before being ceded to Portuguese
settlers and subsequently to the British East India Company. Today, Mumbai,
apart from being India’s largest city, is the commercial/financial and
entertainment capital of India, generating 5% of India's GDP(Gross Domestic
Product), and accounting for 25% of industrial output, 40% of maritime trade,
and 70% of capital transactions to India's economy. As of 2009, Mumbai was
named an Alpha world city. Mumbai's business opportunities, as well as
its potential to offer a higher standard of living, attract migrants from all
over India and, in turn, make the city a potpourri of many communities and
cultures.
Most of India's major television and satellite
networks, as well as its major publishing houses, are headquartered in Mumbai.
The centre of the Indian movie industry, Bollywood, is the largest film
producer in India and one of the largest in the world. In April 2008, Mumbai
was ranked seventh in the list of "Top Ten Cities for Billionaires"
by Forbes magazine, and first in terms of those billionaires' average
wealth.
O Sri Dalada Maligawa ou Templo da Relíquia do
Dente Sagrado é um templo na cidade de Kandy , no Sri Lanka. Foi construído dentro do complexo do
palácio real, que abriga a um dos dois dentes de Buda que ainda existem (relíquias), um objeto
de veneração para os budistas.
1. Hardly anyone pays income tax
Only 3% of Indians pay
income tax, in a population of 1.2bn. One explanation for this is that
agriculture is exempt and two-thirds of Indians live in rural areas. A large
chunk of the economy is also informal, unorganised labour, for which it's
harder to collect taxes. Many argue that some of the country's financial
problems would be solved in one fell swoop, if this massive tax hole could be
filled.
Taxi na Índia chamados de Tuk-tuk ou Auto-RickShaw
An auto rickshaw can be called a lot of things in
Mumbai i.e. Rickshaw, Auto, Rick, etc! A rickshaw is like a taxi except it’s a
3 wheeled vehicle. These vehicles are a cheaper mode of transport. These
vehicles are not present in town – i.e. from Mahim to Churchgate.
2. The rise of the 'wedding
detective'
A friend of mine told me
that, before his arranged marriage, he had a hunch his prospective in-laws had
hired a private detective to check whether he'd had a girlfriend in the past.
The answer was that he had, but the snoop (thankfully for my friend) failed to
find out, and the wedding went ahead. The growth in companies offering the
service is huge, with 15,000 operating. "It's not spying," says
one woman who'd used the service to check out a prospective bridegroom for her
sister. "He told us he was from a good family, but we needed to ensure he
was telling the truth."
O casamento arranjado é muuuuito forte na India ainda, muito mesmo, é super estranho, eles até anunciam no jornal! Todo domingo tem uma seção especial chamada "Matrimonials" com anúncios de homens e mulheres procurando por um parceiro, tipo assim: Jovem, solteiro, de boa familia, formado em blablabla... as vezes colocam até o faturamento anual da pessoa hauhah
Hampi, onde se anda com estes barquinhos redondos de vime, é composto pelo "Centro Sagrado" (onde se localizam, entre
outros, os templos de Vitthala, de Virupaksha, de Krishna e de AchyutaRaya, a
estátua de Narasimha,...), pelo "Centro Real" (onde ficam o templo de
Hazara Rama, o estábulo real dos elefantes , os quarteis, o tanque dos degraus, o Palácio da Rainha,...) e os centros
suburbanos.
Houseboat um barco com sala, dois quartos, cozinha, banheiros que vc aluga pra passar o dia navegando pelo q eles chamam de "backwaters".
Trains is by far one of the best ways to travel. It’s
cheap and fast but sometimes it kills your mind! Most of the population of
Mumbai travels by train and thus it makes the trains VERY crowded.
The trains are divided into the second class where
anyone can enter – be in man or women, the ladies class – which are special
bogies only assigned for women travelers and first class – which is limited to
people who buy a first class ticket. This is also divided into General First
class for men and for women and a specific first class only for women
passengers.
3. Read all about it
While Western countries are
mourning the demise of the newspaper,India's print industry is in fact booming.
A growing literacy rate, relatively low internet use, and the large number of
languages in the country, mean more people want to pick up their daily rag.
It's also very cheap to buy a newspaper, which is widening newspaper
readershipamong all social classes. Another reason why smaller, community
newspapers are also on the rise, is because with a growing economy, more people
are taking out classified ads, which helps to fund publications. What's also
remarkable is the market in second-hand newspapers and magazines. You can sell
your magazines to a man at a roadside stall, who will buy them off you and sell
them again - there are people who are more than happy to read a year old copy
of the Economist, if it's more affordable than the current issue.
Os casamentos na India normalmente duram mais de um dia, nesse um dia teve apenas um jantar e drinks com os convidados cumprimentando os noivos, no dia seguinte na parte da tarde a cerimônia que dura um tempaaaooo e tem mais comida, o engraçado é que os convidados chegam muito antes dos noivos, começam a comer, alguns até vão embora antes, os noivos chegam e continuam a cerimônia e somente alguns convidados sentam em volta pra acompanhar, os outros ficam só comendo e conversando
e a noite, depois da cerimônia, tem mais um jantar, bem mais elegante e com mais comidas, normalmente começa as 20hs e vai até os convidados irem embora. Os noivos ficam sentados em um palco durante todo o tempo enquanto os convidados vão até lá dar parabens e tirar fotos. Os noivos só saem do palco depois que os convidados já foram embora e aí montam uma mesa para que eles possam comer com familiares e amigos próximos.
É super cansativo para os noivos, nao tem dança, a musica é só musica ambiente indiana, e a maior parte do tempo eles ficam sentados ou em pé recebendo parabens e tirando foto.
Também é comum nesse ultimo jantar chique os noivos chegarem no local de alguma forma inusitada hahah nesse um guindaste trouxe os noivos dentro de uma gaiola! Com certeza viram em algum filme bollywoodiano e todo mundo quis fazer também.
4. It's a young country
Young
people in India are using music as a way to express self-confidence
India is a young nation.
More than half of its 1.2 billion people is aged below 25, and two-thirds below
35. Many young Indians are feeling a sense of self confidence about their
nation, no longer looking to the West. Mumbai has a hipster scene to rival
Brooklyn's and home grown musical talent is flourishing, with many more
shunning traditional professions and taking up a career in the arts. A music
festival circuit has gigs held in fields and deserts, while major cities such
as Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai are becoming hubs for live concerts.
Sigiriya Sri Lanka (Patrimônio Mundial da Humanidade) é
um dos melhores exemplos preservados de planejamento urbano antigo. O local foi escolhido pelo Rei Kasyapa (477-495
AD) para a sua nova capital; construiu seu palácio no topo da rocha, de +- 200m de altura, decoradas seus lados
com afrescos coloridos. Em um
pequeno planalto na metade do caminho construiu uma
porta de entrada na forma de um enorme leão. O
nome deste lugar é derivado dessa estrutura Sīhāgiri, ou Lion Rock. A capital e o palácio real foram
abandonados após a morte do rei. Foi
usado como um mosteiro budista até o século 14.
5. Horn noise = pneumatic drill
Painted on the back of
almost all lorries and trucks are the words "Horn OK, please".
Honking is encouraged in India for drivers who are coming up behind another
vehicle. The problem is that they're not used sparingly. One rickshaw driver
told me he honked his horn at least 150 times a day, a fairly conservative
estimate, given that in heavy traffic they can be sounded at least once every
30 seconds. The average rickshaw horn produces a sound of around 93 decibels
(close to that of a pneumatic drill), with the general sound of traffic
equivalent to a jumbo jet taking off. A deafening sound,
quite literally.
As guirlandas são montadas com diversas flores diferentes e cheirosas. Eles usam essas guirlandas para enfeitar altares e estatuas e templos dos deuses que eles tem aqui, ou pra levar em cemiterios etc, assim quando voce entra no templo ele esta perfumado e todo colorido.
A guirlanda é um símbolo de proteção. No Antigo Egito as guirlandas eram confeccionadas para serem colocadas nas portas dos templos, usadas como adornos de cabeça e como enfeites nas múltiplas festividades religiosas. Na Roma Antiga, um ramo de plantas enrolado no formato de coroa era um voto de saúde e quando posicionada na porta de casa significava saúde para todos os habitantes. Na Índia era considerada como um símbolo de boas-vindas e era exposta nos lares durante o ano inteiro juntamente com o brasão familiar. Além disso, ela servia de proteção contra demônios e má sorte. Hoje em dia, a guirlanda ainda resgata o significado ancestral de símbolo de boas-vindas, de proteção e de abundância. Colocar uma guirlanda na porta de casa é sempre uma visão carinhosa de boas intenções, representando paz, prosperidade, evolução e recomeço, por isso elas continuam adornando a porta de entrada de lares ao redor do mundo no Natal e em todos os dias do ano.
6. Everywhere you go, you see plastic chairs
7. They're piling on the pounds
"Oh you've put on
weight," said my bank manager with a smile on her face. Initially aghast,
I eventually got used to the fact that gaining a few pounds is considered a
compliment, a sign that you're looking healthy. But what surprised me was that
India is now on the brink of an obesity epidemic, (not just with
humans but animals too). Stop at any service station and you'll see queues
of Indians gorging on McDonalds or other processed foods. It's always been
usual to see the older Indian man sporting a fat tummy (known lovingly as a
paunch), and while large swathes of India still battle malnourishment, with
millions starving every day, there is a general widening of waists in the
cities.
Plantação de Chá Verde em Munar (Munar Tea), no Sri Lanka & pôr do sol na cidade de Allepey (estado de Kerala)
8. The scourge of spit
Mumbai has introduced
a "spit inspector" to fine those who share their saliva in
public. Many people spit after they've had paan (a mix of betel nut and areca,
and sometimes tobacco - which is chewed but not swallowed). This produces a
reddish stain which can be seen on the side of many white walls. It's common to
see "do not spit" signs in taxis, on the back of rickshaws and on the
front of buildings. But there's concern the falling phlegm is responsible for
the spread of tuberculosis. There's even ananti spit campaign in the
country.
Continue reading the main story
“Start QuoteMumbai has introduced a "spit inspector" to fine those who share their saliva in public. Many people spit after they've had paan (a mix of betel nut and areca, and sometimes tobacco - which is chewed but not swallowed). This produces a reddish stain which can be seen on the side of many white walls. It's common to see "do not spit" signs in taxis, on the back of rickshaws and on the front of buildings. But there's concern the falling phlegm is responsible for the spread of tuberculosis. There's even ananti spit campaign in the country.
9. Roadside ear cleaners
Close-up: India's unusual
street-side services
Anyone
who has been to India, even for a few days, will be well acquainted with the
street-side economy which is a dominant part of life the country. The
inventiveness and resourcefulness of people in the country is like no other -
there are people who will sell or serve you in all kinds of ways. Broken an
umbrella? There's a man who'll fix it. Need your shoes re-heeled? There's a man
who will come to your house to do it. How about a haircut from a kerbside
cutter? Then there's the serious stuff - the roadside bone
setters, who will repair fractures, plus the ear cleaners and the corn and
bunion removal men. What's remarkable is how these centuries old traditions are
still going strong. Some fear these traditions are under threat, with future
generations choosing to pursue an education and a different path rather than
follow the family business, and because some authorities are trying to
move them off the pavements.
10. Don't wear
new clothes on a Saturday
India
might be home to some of the world's best scientists and engineers, but a lot
of that rational thinking can go straight out of the window when it comes to
observing ancient superstitions. Different people observe different things,
such as - don't wear new clothes on a Saturday, don't clean the house at night
for fear of scaring the Goddess Lakshmi away, it's bad luck to give or accept
anything with your left hand. For so many in India - rich and poor - observing
these customs is still part of today's society. Brand new cars have a floral
garland hanging on the bonnet because it's considered good luck to get your new
vehicle blessed before you drive it. Chilli and limes hang in cars or above
front doors to ward off evil. A lot of planes don't have a row 13, to avoid any
association with the unlucky number.
Em Kandy (Sri Lanka) há um templo budista onde
guardam um pedaço do dente de Buda;
Esala Perahera (Festival do Dente) é um festival budista que consiste
em danças e desfile de elefantes adornados com roupas coloridas e iluminadas e várias
outras danças culturais.
Segundo a tradição, o Tooth Relic
foi levada em procissão ao Sri Lanka pela Princesa Hemamala e Príncipe Dantha.
Republic Day - India
became a republic on the 26th of
January 1950 and in commemoration of the fact, Republic Day is celebrated every
year on this date. The main attractions on this day are the parades especially
in New Delhi and the President’s address to the nation.
Holi - A Hindu festival to
celebrate the end of winter. Usually held in February/March. Tends to be very
exuberant with dancing, singing and throwing coloured water and powder. Beware of wearing any new clothes
on this day!
Gurpurab - Is held
in celebration of the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion. It usually takes place in the
month of April.
Easter & Good Friday - Falls
in the month of April and is commemorated by the Christians as the date of the
crucifixion & resurrection of Christ. It
tends to be a much more solemn festival.
Independence Day - Celebrated
every year on the 15th of August
in memory of India gaining her independence from British Colonial rule on 15th August 1947.
Ganesh Chaturthi - A
festival dedicated to the Hindu God Ganesh, god of wisdom and prosperity.
Usually takes place in August/September and is very lively. Ganesh Chaturthi is
considered to be one of the most auspicious days of the year in the Hindu
calendar.
Gandhi Jayanti - The birth
date of the ‘Father of the Nation’: Mahatma Gandhi; celebrated on the 2nd of October every year
Raksha Bandhan - A more
somber Hindu festival in which girls tie a rakhi (amulet) on the their
brothers wrist as a sign of togetherness and protection. Also known as Narial Purnima.
Dussehra - This
Hindu festival takes place during the months of September/August. It is
celebrated to commemorate the victory of good over evil. It is also known as
Navratri (festival of Nine Nights). In Mumbai and the neighboring state of
Gujarat, the nine nights are party time with Dandiya, a traditional dance. In
old traditional villages, a play is put in place where they re enact the
Ramayana – a traditional Indian myth. In the end of the play, the evil
character Ravana dies. Thus to show this, a large dummy of Ravana is put on
fire. This
symbolizes the end of evil.
Diwali - The happiest festival of the
Hindu calendar, commemorating the return of the God Rama from his exile. It is
known as the Festival of Lights, as at night hundreds of oil lamps are lit
along with the bursting of firecrackers. The
noisiest and liveliest festival in India.
Ramazan (Id) - Id is the
celebration of the end of the holy month of Ramadan in the Muslim calendar. Id
is clebrated by visiting people and eating biryani and having shir-khurma to
your hearts content!!
Christmas - Celebrated
by Christians as the birth date of Jesus Christ on the 25th of December every year. Is accompanied by carol singing, eating and general
merriment.
Friends from All de World
The Indian currency is the rupee and is the only currency that will be accepted as a medium of exchange in Mumbai.
Taj Mahal, Agra, UttarPradesch, Índia
O Taj Mahal é lindo, apesar de que eu esperava uma construção giganteeeesca, e na verdade não é tão grande assim haha e por dentro é bem decepcionante, não tem nada demais e nem muita coisa para ver.
O Xá Jahan, grande soberano muçulmano da dinastia Mogul,
mandou construir o Taj Mahal inteiramente de mármore branco, como monumento
funerário em honra à sua adorada rainha, Muntaz Mahal, que morreu ao dar à luz o
décimo quarto filho do casal em 19 anos. Um desses herdeiros acabou depondo
Jahan, que foi aprisionado no Forte Agra, situado nas proximidades. De seus
aposentos ele podia admirar o Taj Mahal e chorar pela perda de sua mulher e de
seu império.
*
Fontes: a) BBC News By Rajini Vaidyanathan: "10 things you might not know about India"; b) AIESEC Mumbai
Reception Booklet.
"O melhor resultado é quando todos do grupo fazem o melhor para si E para o grupo" (John Nash)
No Blog do Teo - jcteo
No blog do Teo - jcteo ...
Qualquer ser se sente no céu!
Existem emocionantes viagens...
...Nas mais espetaculares paisagens!
No blog do Teo - jcteo ...
Há coisas perdidas do Beleléu!
Existe uma linda arara azul,
Que voa em seu ombro de Norte a Sul!
No blog do Teo - jcteo ...
Ninguém fica ao léu!
Há um espaço para a cultura...
Com estrelas cheias de doçura!
No blog do Teo - jcteo ...
Há uma bailarina com véu!
Existe o verdadeiro xadrez...
Pois lá a inteligência tem vez.
Luciana do Rocio Mallon
