India

by Steph Ortiz | published on Dec 21, 2014

The Republic of India is bordered on two sides by the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. It’s northern boundary is formed by the Himalaya Mountains. The topography of India varies from the barren dunes of the Thar Desert to the tropical forests of the state of Assam. India is approximately 1/3 the size of the U.S. and has the second largest population of any nation in the world. It is home to people of many different cultures who speak a great variety of languages. Mission Personnel Anil Henry Acting Medical Superintendent and surgeon, Mungeli, Christian Hospital. Support for missionary Ani lHenry is supplied by One Great Hour of Sharing. Thandiwe Gobledale Global Mission Intern with the Family Village Farm located in Katpadi, Vellore, India. Partners All India Association for Christian Higher Education – AIACHE Center for Interfaith Relations, Study and Joint Action – Peace Trust, Kanyakamuri Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action – CASA Church of North India (CNI) The Church of South India (CSI) Comprehensive Rural Health Project, Jamkhed, India CREATE (Center for Research Education Action Training and Evaluation)Empowerment and Economic Development Projects Darjeerling Tibetan Refugee Center and Tibetan Children’s Village Deenabandu Fellowship Deep Griha Society, Pune Family Village Farm and King’s Matriculation School Henry Martyn Institute for Research, Interfaith Relations and Reconciliation Hindi Theological Literature Committee Jiwana Jyoti Interchurch Service Agency Lady Doak College Nagpada Neighborhood House Nasrapur Spiritual Life Center Pankajam Carolyn Clark Health Center, Madurai and Pasumalai Raipur Christian Retreat and Study Center Ruth Home – A Family Help Project of the Good Will Trust Tamilnadu Theological Seminary (TTS) United Theological College, Bangalore Voluntary Health Association of India Women’s Christian College (WCC) Child Sponsorship FAMILY VILLAGE FARM (KATPADI) This center near Vellore, India, provides food, clothing and shelter in a home-like setting for poor, orphaned children. The children live in family groups of up to ten children with a surrogate mother and grandparents. Following their early education, the children also learn vocational skills. SERMEY THOESAM SCHOOL This Tibetan refugee school in Southern India provides comprehensive education for resident boys at the Sea Mey Monastic College. The school offers classes in modern and traditional Tibetan subjects. The boys also receive three meals a day. SONADA REFUGEE CAMP This co-op farming society in Sonada, Darjeeling, W. Bengal, India, is home to more that 500 Tibetan refugees, including children. The program provides the children with basic necessities. TIBETAN CHILDREN’S VILLAGE This center assists over 13,000 needy Tibetan children in four main villages and five residential schools in Dharamsala, India. The hope is to enable the children to grow and develop as naturally as possible while maintaining their culture. The village operates a day school, technical schools, handicraft programs and a dairy farm. TIBETAN REFUGEE SELF-HELP CENTRE This center aids more than 1,000 refugees in Darjeeling. It takes in families and helps the children receive an education and vocational training. The program also provides basic food and housing in a cohesive and productive community. Sponsorship level: $25 per month

Population (2014 est) – 1,236,344,631

Area – 2,042,000mi

Capital – New Delhi

Ethnic Background

Indo-Aryan – 72%

Dravidian – 25%

Mongoloid and other – 3%

Exports – petroleum products, precious stones, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, vehicles, apparel

Imports – crude oil, precious stones, machinery, fertilizer, iron and steel, chemicals

Life Expectancy (2014 est) – M 67 years F 69 years

Infant Mortality (2014 est) – 43.19 deaths/1,000 live births

Adult Illiteracy Rate – 37.2%