A closer look at india
...es cosmic energy. His dance represents the activity of God and it is believed that this activity also occurs within men. Shiva embodies so many different aspects of Hinduism that learned Indians explain that he is the god who most nearly symbolizes the Hindu spirit. Hindus also believe in cremation because in their faith it burns away the illusions that prevent men from seeing the truth about themselves. In contrast to western beliefs where religion is only thought to be confined to creed and worship Hinduism is a complete rule of life and every act of the Hindu’s existence- rising in the morning, bathing etc- is regulated by rituals. That is why after thousands of years many villages, despite the antagonism of the government, still preserve certain customs that are thousands of years old. Although the beliefs that are embodied in India are subject to great fascination from all over the world, the poverty that exists within it almost always comes as a shock. India’s per capita income is only $80 a year, or less than 22 cents a day. In addition, although recent efforts have tried to prolong the life expectance it is still only 50 years. The poverty also restricts many Indians to become educated and that is why almost 70 per cent of the population is illiterate. This aspect of India is probably the major factor that makes India so mysterious. Visitors might regard the economic conditions so appalling that they will treat the country as a vast slum and pass thought it as quickly as possible on his/her way to hotels and clubs. Such an isolation usually brings on a peculiar affliction known to British times as sahib-sickness. It makes the tourist blind to all that is worthwhile and exciting in India. This will not allow him/her to get to know the real side of India and its inhabitants. Imagine being in the deserts of Rajasthan where is not enough water to support life and the next day going to the Cherrapunji village is Assam, one of the wettest spots on earth with an average annual rainfall of about 450 inches. In this village raindrops as large as marbles fall on Cherrapunji during the monsoon season and the wind sometimes drives them with such velocity that the inhabitants of the town dress in armor made of wicker and carry small wicker shield to protect themselves. Another of India’s nature wonders is the great Indo-Gangetic Plain...