What I learned today: "Unity and Diversity"

As my first full day in India draws to a close (yes it is only 9pm but I am exhausted) I think it is good to reflect on what I have learned and how I am feeling.
We had a full day today of meetings learning about the history of India (glad to see I am teaching the correct info), a meeting with the Consulate General, and an overview of the India Educational System.  Tomorrow seems even busier with a 7am historical walking tour of Bangalore, stay tuned for pictures.
Some of the facts we learned:

• India is a large country with an even larger population, currently 1.2 billion.  At the current rate of growth it is set to be the most populous contry in the world by 2028.
• India's states are created based on linguistic division
• 28 States and 7 Union territories
• These are more like different countries in Europe (in language, culture etc...) than in States in the U.S.
• Each state has its own official language.  English and Hindi are the officials languages of India
• There are 22 modern languages and hundreds of other languages so of which are not written down but passed down orally. 
• 3592 newspapers printed in 35 different languages
• There are many different religions including Budhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism, Janism etc...

There is also diversity in ideas; modern, western, traditional, tribal, lifestyle, class etc.. With all this diversity the one commonality that brings Indians together is the idea of dharma.  While this is difficult to explain the general idea is that there is an inate nature of things, of what people/things are supposed to do and with this idea running through the different cultures, religions etc... it is serves as something that binds people together.  So therefore India is a land of both diversity and unity. 

*Today I also learned that blackouts are common due to overusage of electricity.  This happened twice while we were in the elevator. 

Our group (12) after our presentation by Mr Singh