For historical and other uses of India, see India (disambiguation).

India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. India has a coastline of over seven thousand kilometres, and borders PakistanThe Government of India considers the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir to be a part of India including the portion bordering Afghanistan. A ceasefire sponsored by the United Nations in 1948 freezes the positions of Indian and Pakistani held territory. As a consequence, the region bordering Afghanistan is in Pakistani-administered territory. to the west, Nepal, the People's Republic of China and Bhutan to the north-east, and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east. In the Indian Ocean, it is adjacent to the island nations of Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia.

Home to the Indus Valley Civilization, a centre of important trade routes and vast empires, India has long played a major role in human history. Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism all have their origins in India, while Islam and Christianity enjoy a strong cultural heritage. Colonised as part of the British Empire in the nineteenth century, India gained independence in 1947 as a unified nation after an intense struggle for independence. The country's population, wildlife, geographical terrain and climate system are among the most diverse in the world.

Etymology

---

The name India // is derived from Indus, which is derived from the Old Persian word Hindu, from Sanskrit Sindhu, the historic local appellation for the Indus River. The Constitution of India and common usage also recognise Bharat (), as an official name of equal status. A third name, Hindustan () (Persian: Land of the Hindus < Old Persian Hindu, India / land of the Indus < Sanskrit Sindhu, any river/the Indus) has been used since the twelfth century, though its contemporary use is unevenly applied.

More on [ India ]

Sify.com News

EU settles dispute with Microsoft over web browsers
The European Commission said Wednesday it has resolved its long-running dispute with Microsoft after the US software giant agreed to allow customers a choice of Web browsers.
Climate talks deadlocked as clashes erupt outside
Danish police fired pepper spray and beat protesters with batons outside the U.N. climate conference on Wednesday, as disputes inside left major issues unresolved just two days before world
Arizona governor calls special legislative session
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has called the Legislature into special session beginning Thursday to act on the state's budget crisis.
EU drops Microsoft browser charges
The European Union said Wednesday it is dropping antitrust charges against Microsoft Corp. after the company agreed to give Windows users a choice of up to 12 other Web browsers.
Romania marks 20 years since anti-communist revolt
To the strains of strings playing Christmas carols, Romanians paid homage Wednesday to the fighters who took to the streets of this Transylvanian city 20 years ago, sparking the revolution that
Romania marks 20 years since anti-communist revolt
To the strains of strings playing Christmas carols, Romanians paid homage Wednesday to the fighters who took to the streets of this Transylvanian city 20 years ago, sparking the revolution that

India News, Latest News in India, Live News India, India Breaking News - Times of India

15 sentenced in multi-crore fodder scam case
Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:30:11 -0000
Fifteen people have been sentenced to jail term ranging from five to ten years and slapped fines of Rs five lakh to ten lakh by a special CBI court in the fodder scam case.



BJP demands putting ISI under 'global watch'
Slamming Pakistan for failing to check terror groups operating from its soil against India, the BJP on Wednesday demanded organisations like ISI be put under "international watch" and US Government be asked to stop extending financial aid to it as it was being misused.
15 more convicts sentenced RI in a fodder scam case
A Special CBI court on Wednesday awarded rigorous imprisonment (RI) to 15 convicts, including nine government officers and six suppliers, in fodder scam case no- RC44 (A)/ 96, related to fraudulent withdrawal of over Rs 8.60 crore from a government treasury at Ranchi, reports Madan Kumar.
Rahul Bhatt quizzed by NIA officials; more rounds to go
Rahul Bhatt, son of ace film director Mahesh Bhatt, was questioned by investigators to probe his association with David Headley during the Pakistani-American terror suspect's stay in Mumbai.
Headley visa paper missing from Chicago consulate: Govt
India has sought a factual report from its consulate in Chicago on reports about visa papers of David Headley and Tahawwur Rana going missing, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said today. Rahul Bhatt quizzed by NIA officials
ICG plans 42 coast guard stations:Chopra
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG)on Wednesday said it is planning to have 42 stations across the 7,500-km-long coastline for effective monitoring of maritime borderline.
India is actively participating in Copenhagen summit: govt
Climate change negotiations are in full swing at the UN summit at Copenhagen where India is actively participating along with other like-minded nations to press developed countries to take deeper emissions commitment, the government told the Lok Sabha.

Subscribe to India RSS feed

INDIA-1 of the best rated videos on YouTube : India's amazing diversityoffers you everything you could ever want in a holiday. From the moment that you set foot in India to be greeted by a graceful namaste, a gesturethat denotes both welcome and respect, you are on the way to one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.