SOCIAL MEDIA

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Happy Independence Day and A Giveaway!!!

Today is 15th August... 

On 15th August 1947, after a struggle that went on for more than 100 years, India became independent. I feel I'm fortunate to be born in a country that has a cultural variety that is unmatched by any other in the world. If you travel across India, you will find something new, different everywhere. 


Here are a few facts about the country I'm so proud to be a citizen of...
India is the world's largest, oldest, continuous civilization.


India never invaded any country in her last 10000 years of history.


India is the world's largest democracy.


Varanasi, also known as Benares, was called "the ancient city" when Lord Buddha visited it in 500 B.C.E, and is the oldest, continuously inhabited city in the world today.


India invented the Number System. Zero was invented by Aryabhatta.


The World's first university was established in Takshashila in 700BC. More than 10,500 students from all over the world studied more than 60 subjects. The University of Nalanda built in the 4th century BC was one of the greatest achievements of ancient India in the field of education.


Sanskrit is the mother of all the European languages. Sanskrit is the most suitable language for computer software - a report in Forbes magazine, July 1987.


Ayurveda is the earliest school of medicine known to humans. Charaka, the father of medicine consolidated Ayurveda 2500 years ago. Today Ayurveda is fast regaining its rightful place in our civilization.


Although modern images of India often show poverty and lack of development, India was the richest country on earth until the time of British invasion in the early 17th Century. Christopher Columbus was attracted by India's wealth.


The art of Navigation was bornin the river Sindhu 6000 years ago. The very word Navigation is derived from the Sanskrit word NAVGATIH. The word navy is also derived from Sanskrit 'Nou'.


Bhaskaracharya calculated the time taken by the earth to orbit the sun hundreds of years before the astronomer Smart. Time taken by earth to orbit the sun: (5th century) 365.258756484 days.


The value of pi was first calculated by Budhayana, and he explained the concept of what is known as the Pythagorean Theorem. He discovered this in the 6th century long before the European mathematicians.


Algebra, trigonometry and calculus came from India. Quadratic equations were by Sridharacharya in the 11th century. The largest numbers the Greeks and the Romans used were 106 whereas Hindus used numbers as big as 10**53(10 to the power of 53) with specific names as early as 5000 BCE during the Vedic period. Even today, the largest used number is Tera 10**12(10 to the power of 12).


IEEE has proved what has been a century old suspicion in the world scientific community that the pioneer of wireless communication was Prof. Jagdish Bose and not Marconi.


The earliest reservoir and dam for irrigation was built in Saurashtra.


According to Saka King Rudradaman I of 150 CE a beautiful lake called Sudarshana was constructed on the hills of Raivataka during Chandragupta Maurya's time.


Chess (Shataranja or AshtaPada) was invented in India.


Sushruta is the father of surgery. 2600 years ago he and health scientists of his time conducted complicated surgeries like cesareans, cataract, artificial limbs, fractures, urinary stones and even plastic surgery and brain surgery. Usage of anesthesia was well known in ancient India. Over 125 surgical equipment were used. Deep knowledge of anatomy, physiology, etiology, embryology, digestion, metabolism, genetics and immunity is also found in many texts.


When many cultures were only nomadic forest dwellers over 5000 years ago, Indians established Harappan culture in Sindhu Valley (Indus Valley Civilization).


The four religions born in India, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, are followed by 25% of the world's population.


The place value system, the decimal system was developed in India in 100 BC.


India is one of the few countries in the World, which gained independence without violence.


India has the second largest pool of Scientists and Engineers in the World.


India is the largest English speaking nation in the world.


India is the only country other than US and Japan, to have built a super computer indigenously.







Famous Quotes on India (by non-Indians)


Albert Einstein said: We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made.


Mark Twain said: India is, the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grand mother of tradition. Our most valuable and most instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only.


French scholar Romain Rolland said: If there is one place on the face of earth where all the dreams of living men have found a home from the very earliest days when man began the dream of existence, it is India.


Hu Shih, former Ambassador of China to USA said: India conquered and dominated China culturally for 20 centuries without ever having to send a single soldier across her border.


All facts courtesy http://www.nriol.com/info/amazingindia.asp








Wish you all a very Happy Independence Day!!! May this day bring peace in lives of those affected by violence...


Now to celebrate this occasion, I'm giving away a Fat Quarter Set of 3 FQs... One is an Orange one, One White & One Green... To enter, leave a comment about what you know about India and what you like about it...


For a second entry become a follower, if you're already one, leave a comment...


For a third AND a fourth entry blog about it, again, leave a comment...


For a fifth, sixth and seventh entry, join the Spread the Cheer initiative... If you've already joined, leave a comment...


For a sure shot way to win this one - Come down to India and collect it... Ha-ha-ha...


I know I still have to put the last giveaway prize in the post yet, but there's good news too... Kiddo is doing great and all the packages are packed and ready to go tomorrow!!! YAY!!!


Oh! BTW, I still do not have a new cell phone, but hubby dear just told me to go and get one today!!! Another reason to celebrate...


Wait for a lot of snaps by tomorrow!!!


Winners will be announced on Sunday 22nd August...


Update : 19 Aug : I'm also including a surprise gift with the FQ bundle... The bundle is solid colors. And the hint about the surprise : Its totally traditional Indian and its about 6 yards long!!! It comes with a few accessories and I'm sure all you ladies will love it...




14 comments :

  1. Shruti, I am embarrassed to say I know nothing about India and out of everything I just read from you I will probably only retain a small part of, but I would LOVE to visit, and meet you! Maybe someday :-) Thanks for sharing all that info with us. And thanks for the chance at winning FQs!

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  2. I remember reading Gandhi's autobiography when I was 12-- such strength in such simple ideas to make a country free!

    One of my two favorite books is Indian as well-- the Bhagavad Gita-- happy independence day!

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  3. Happy Independence Day Shruti.

    Interesting facts about India. Thanks for posting! Our next door neighbours are from southern India and they kill me with delicious smells everytime they cook.

    Hope you're enjoying your new mobile phone.

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  4. You have educated me on India - fascinating!! Unfortunately, I do not know very much about India but I do love the food and the people are beautiful. Thanks!

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  5. I am a follower - joined today and look forward to your posts. Thanks for an awesome giveaway!

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  6. Entry #1
    Hello New Blog Hop Friend! I loved this post! While some of my favorite writers are Indian...I confess I don't know very much about India. I DO Love Indian food! Had soome very good Indian food when I lived in the Bay area of SF, and when I lived in Seattle.

    Hope you will stop by my blog & follow back.
    Namaste,
    Maura

    The Moxie Bee
    http://www.themoxiebee.com

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  7. Entry #2

    I'm following you via GFC!



    ~Maura
    The Moxie Bee
    http://www.themoxiebee.com

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  8. Hi Shruti, I've just found your blog and I have really enjoyed reading it. I had no idea India was such an amazing place. Very different from the images we receive here. I have become a follower. Ros

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  9. I totally love Indian food!!! I always look for an authentic Indian restaurant whenever I travel. I have even started finding ingredients and cooking some myself!!!
    Thank you for the chance to win!!!

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  10. I just became a follower....love to see and hear about what people in other countries are doing...especially quilting!

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  11. I didn't know any of the facts you shared with us. And I feel as if I should since some of my best friends in college were from India. Thanks for sharing.

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  12. I had a pen pal from India when I was a teenager. She ended up somewhere in the US and married. I lost contact with her :(. Her name was Nimisha; such a pretty sounding name. I didn't realize India was so rich in history!
    freeindeed at myfairpoint dot net

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Thank you for your comments... I try to reply to all of them personally, but sometimes life is just too fast to do that... But I love hearing from you...