9 interesting facts about India's people

India's inhabitants are as diverse as its geography and history, with a population of about 1.4 billion.

1. Assassination of India's only female prime minister

Indira Gandhi, India's first and only female prime minister, was the country's first and only female leader. She was the daughter of India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and not the daughter of Mahatma Gandhi, as her surname suggests. She ruled from 1966 to 1977, was re-elected in 1980, and was slain while still in office in 1984.

2. The sari worn by Mother Teresa is still a symbol.

Mother Teresa first wore her iconic sari in 1948, and nuns in her order, the Missionaries of Charity, today wear it as well. Mother Teresa, widely known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta, was a Roman Catholic nun and missionary who was born in Macedonia in 1910. She dedicated her life to assisting the needy in Calcutta, despite the fact that her methods were criticized by some.

3. Indian weddings are a vibrant affair.

While the bridal mendhi (henna) is on her hands, a woman may be barred from doing chores. Indian weddings are frequently colorful, multi-day affairs that might last anywhere from three days to a week. The Ganesh puja, which is usually a private ceremony held with the couple and their close family members to honor good fortune, is followed by the mendhi ceremony the next day, in which henna patterns are painted on the bride and her female friends and family members. The sangeet, a musical night to greet all the wedding guests, is usually held that evening, with the main ceremony and reception taking place on the third day.

4. The country has the third highest number of billionaires in the world.

India presently has 6,884 ultra-high-net-worth individuals with assets exceeding $30 million and claims 140 billionaires, placing it third in the world behind the United States and China in terms of billionaires.

5. Hinduism is the majority religion.

Nearly 80% of the population of India is Hindu, 15% is Muslim, and millions more are Sikh, Jain, or Christian.

6. There is more than one national language

There is no single national language in India; the constitution lists 23 official languages. While Hindi is the most widely spoken language in India and the official language of the government, no language is more official than the others. Each of the 22 local languages (plus English) is given equal weight in the constitution.

7. The sari dates back over 5000 years.

The sari has been around since at least 3000 BCE. Sari wearers frequently choose their garment's color dependent on the occasion. Brides frequently wear red to symbolize fertility and prosperity.

8. Literacy improvement

India has a literacy rate of about 75% among adults. Despite substantial progress over the years, the country still falls short of the global average literacy rate of 86.5 percent.

9. Chess's beginnings

Chess may be traced back over 1500 years to its earliest known ancestor, chaturanga, in India; its origins are unknown. It spread from India to Persia. Chess was adopted by the Muslim world after the Arab invasion and conquest of Persia, and it eventually extended to southern Europe. By 1500 CE, the game had approximately evolved into its modern form.
From the late 18th century to the 1880s, "Romantic chess" was the most popular game.During this time period, chess games stressed fast tactical movements over long-term strategic preparation.The Scientific, Hypermodern, and New Dynamism eras followed the Romantic age of play.
Modern chess tournament play began in the second part of the nineteenth century, with the first formal World Chess Championship held in 1886. Chess theory advanced dramatically over the twentieth century, culminating in the formation of the World Chess Federation.