India factsheet for adoption travel

Flag of India
 
 
Related Resources
• Cross-Cultural Parenting
• India Adoption Resources
• International Updates
 


What You Need to Know

Check Adoption Travel Resources for more information.

Large flag to print out

Country name:

long form: Republic of India
short form: India


What the people are called:

noun, singular: Indian
noun, plural: Indians
adjective: Indian

Ethnic groups:

Indo-Aryan (72%), Dravidian (25%), Mongoloid and others (3%).

U.S. Embassy

Embassy of the United States of America
1 Shanti Path
Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021
India

Tel: (91) 11-2419-8000
Fax:(91) 11-2419-0017

Web site: http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/

Canadian High Commission

Canadian High Commission
7/8 Shanti Path
PO Box 5207
Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021
India

Tel: (91) 11-2687-6500
Fax:(91) 11-2687-6579

Web site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/new-delhi/

Money:

1 Rupee (Rs) = 100 paise
(currency conversion)

Time Zone:

GMT +5.30 (What's GMT?)

Phone/Internet info:

Country Area Code: 91

There are Internet cafes across the country.

Mobile phone coverage varies, but is available (GSM 900 and 1800 networks). International calling cards also provide a way to contact (calling to or from the U.S.). You may want to consider renting a compatible phone and service plan.

Major languages spoken:

English is the most important for national, political and commercial communication. Hindi is the national language and primary tongue of 30% of the people. There are 14 other official languages: Bengali, Teluga, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada,Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi, and Sanskrit. Hindustani is a popular variant of Hindu/Urdu spoken widely throughout northeastern India but is not an official language.

Alphabet:

The Hindi written language is significantly different than English: See it here.

Major holidays:

Public holidays 2004

Jan 26 - Republic Day
Feb 02 - Idu'z Zuha/Bakrid (Feast of the Sacrifice)
Feb 22 - Muharram (Islamic New Year)
Mar 06 - Holi
Mar 30 - Sri Rama Navami (Birthday of Sri Rama)
Apr 03 - Mahavir Jayanthi
Apr 09 - Good Friday
May 02 - Milad-Un-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet)
May 04 - Buddha Purnima
Aug 15 - Independence Day
Sep 06 - Krishna Janamashti
Oct 02 - Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday
Oct 22 - Vijaya Dasami/Dussera
Nov 12 - Diwali
Nov 14-16 - Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
Nov 26 - Guru Nanak's Birthday
Dec 25 - Christmas Day

Common names:

• Behind the Name: Indian Name.
• 20,000 Names From Around the World: Indian Names
  Girls' Names
  Boys' Names
• 20,000 Names From Around the World: Hindi Names
  Girls' Names
  Boys' Names
• India Express
• Baby Names India

 ~ Nancy Ashe

Adoption Profiles

Matt & Charla Loving family of 4 seeks baby girl to expand our family for joy, laughter, fun, adventure, happiness and LOVE...If interested, please enter for more... [more] other adoption profiles | add your profile A service of Adoption Profiles, LLC