Diwali – The Festival of Light
There is a wonderful celebration in India that takes place over several days. It is with joy in the heart that people, from all walks of life, exchange sweets with their relatives, friends, neighbors, colleagues, to anchor the values associated with this celebration of light, Diwali. Let’s find out how this celebration unfolds in this blog from masteringindia.org
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Why celebrate light?
The light symbolizes victory over ignorance, hatred and lethargy. It is with this in mind that everyone, everywhere, illuminates their homes, workplaces and businesses. Traditionally lit with earthen lamps filled with oil, and nowadays with electric garlands, the night of Diwali, said to be the darkest of the year according to the lunar calendar, turns into the most sparkling one. There are many stories linked to this story. The most popular ones are that of Rama, an incarnation of God Vishnu, who returned to his Kingdom of Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, in Southern India. The other story is that of Krishna, still an avatar of God Vishnu, having been instrumental in the release of a thousand damsels taken captive by the demon Narkasura. If you want to know more about these stories, leave us a comment ☺
The celebration of Diwali is unique. Everyone partakes in it. Shops and houses are lit up. Shopping for new clothes and decorative items begins a few weeks earlier, as does maintenance and painting. Everything must shine to welcome good luck into ones home.
Who says celebration says… sweets!
This is one of the great specialties of Diwali, sweets of all kinds! India is vast, and it is also a mix of traditions unique to each ethnicity spread across the states of India. The exchange of cakes is done for the pleasure of everyone. Do you have Hindus around you who offer you sweets on Diwali? Wish them “Happy Divali,” they will certainly appreciate it very much.
Discover these famous dessert ideas that will be all the rage if you serve them to end a dinner with loved ones!
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Our website dedicated to online learning about India
The unfolding of Diwali
Diwali is celebrated over five days.
Day One: The Dhanteras marks the start of the festivities. The houses are cleaned again from top to bottom, decorated with electric bulbs, rangolis (multicolored designs in mandala style on the floor), flowers and earthen lamps. The God of Ayurveda and Health, Dhanwantari, is celebrated to obtain his blessing. Before nightfall, a lamp made of flour is lit with sesame oil at the back of the house in the southern corner, out of respect for Yama, the God of death, asking for his protection from any premature death.
Day Two: The monkey-headed God, Hanuman, is celebrated, asking for his help in obtaining divine grace. Some traditions also celebrate Kali and Krishna and their victories over demons and their benevolence in liberating souls in torment. The second day is also the day where delicious cakes are made or purchased.
The most important day is the third, which coincides with the darkest night of the lunar calendar. On this day, Goddess Lakshmi is celebrated, thanking her for her benevolence and asking her to maintain it perpetually. At sunset, the oil lamps are lit, often by the children, and fireworks and firecrackers are detonated.
The fourth day: The Govardhan Puja is celebrated. Sweets are offered to the God Krishna, another avatar of Vishnu, to commemorate the story about him protecting his childhood village from torrential rains by lifting Govardhan Hill on his finger. It is also customary for men to give gifts to their wives on that day.
On the fifth day, it is Bhai Duj, which anchors the bond between siblings. Usually the brother will visit his sister, unlike Raksha Bandhan, another festival celebrating brotherhood.
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Time for a prayer
A popular mantra from Vedic times demonstrating the importance of enlightenment in this part of the world is as follows: “Om Asatoma Sat Gamaya, Tamasoma Jyotir Gamaya, Mrityorma Amritam Gamaya. This prayer translates as follows:
Take me from ignorance to knowledge, from darkness to enlightenment, from mortality to immortality.
Diwali propagates this message of Vedic times so well, this fundamental wish to be transported to the light. These small earthen lamps which sparkle all night long, encourage cohesion, to join them for the dissipation of darkness. What kind of darkness do we want to free ourselves from? Discontent, stress, dissatisfaction, misery, anger, lack of enthusiasm, … To get out of the many evils that surround us, let us light the lamp of joy in our hearts, thus bringing internal illumination. May we attain internal enlightenment, may the supreme light awaken your mind. May we attain the spiritual wealth of the Eternal. May we prosper gloriously in material as well as spiritual reality.
The importance placed on knowledge and working tools for Diwali
One thing that stands out for a foreigner like me is the importance placed on working tools during Diwali. Books, charge books, computers,… are blessed with prayers on the eve of Diwali, also known as the Choti (Small) Diwali, or Dhanteras. The avatar of Vishnu, Dhanwanteri, who is the God of Health and Ayurveda, is also celebrated on this day.
Diwali Gifts
Diwali is a time for gifting loved ones and friends. While there are many suggestions always doing rounds on what would be the best gift to give, our recommendation as a learning platform, would be, to gift a book! Here are some suggestions on Indian authors who write in English.
Must Watch: Indian writers following the English era
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The effigy of grace in its simplest form
Laxmi, the Goddess of abundance, unconditional love and refinement, is celebrated by the Hindu people for Diwali, asking her for her perpetual grace in order to support their lives and those around them. Many don’t know this, but the grace of abundance doesn’t just mean financial wealth. Eight aspects are related to Ashta (eight) Laxmi:
Adi Lakshmi – The Primordial Mother Goddess
Dhana Lakshmi – The Mother Goddess of material wealth
Dhanya Lakshmi – The Mother Goddess of the harvest and grain
Gaja Lakshmi – The Mother Goddess of power and strength
Santana Lakshmi – The Mother Goddess of children and offspring
Veera Lakshmi – The Mother Goddess of courage and perseverance
Vijaya Lakshmi – The Mother Goddess of success
Aishwarya Lakshmi – The Mother Goddess of comfort
Are these eight attributes important to the successful development of an individual? Share your opinion in the comments.
Diwali is a universal celebration symbolizing sharing, acceptance, respect, refinement and volunteerism. It’s easy to lose the sense of the importance of the most important things in life. Taking time by participating in this kind of event helps to refocus and value the relationships that we share with others.
Do you want to position yourself in a strategic region to grow your business? hub.masteringindia.org lets you learn online how to start or expand your business in India. From understanding this industry to cultural adaptation, you’ve got you covered.
What are the 28 States of India?
The States of India
The world knows a very famous federation: The United States of America. However, it is lesser known that, India too, is a federation of states, called the “Republic of India”.
Working with Indians – a cultural tip to start a conversation
When two Indians meet for the first time, it is a common practice to enquire after their regional identity. The common question “Where in India do you come from?” is usually asked in the beginning of the conversation.
So, if you’re meeting an Indian, ask them about their hometown. It can be a good ice-breaker and you could be treated to a dozen stories about their hometown. It’s even better if you know a bit about that part of India.
Here are five interesting facts about Indian States, which are nice to add to your repertoire.
1. There are 28 Indian States and 8 Union Territories*
Below is the list of Indian States and their capital cities*
1 | Andhra Pradesh | Hyderabad (Proposed Capital Amaravati) |
2 | Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar |
3 | Assam | Dispur |
4 | Bihar | Patna |
5 | Chhattisgarh | Raipur |
6 | Goa | Panaji |
7 | Gujarat | Gandhinagar |
8 | Haryana | Chandigarh |
9 | Himachal Pradesh | Shimla |
10 | Jharkhand | Ranchi |
11 | Karnataka | Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore) |
12 | Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram |
13 | Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal |
14 | Maharashtra | Mumbai |
15 | Manipur | Imphal |
16 | Meghalaya | Shillong |
17 | Mizoram | Aizawl |
18 | Nagaland | Kohima |
19 | Odisha | Bhubaneswar |
20 | Punjab | Chandigarh |
21 | Rajasthan | Jaipur |
22 | Sikkim | Gangtok |
23 | Tamil Nadu | Chennai |
24 | Telangana | Hyderabad |
25 | Tripura | Agartala |
26 | Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow |
27 | Uttarakhand | Dehradun (Winter) Gairsain (Summer) |
28 | West Bengal | Kolkata |
*as at the time of writing this blog
Indian states have a wonderful biodiversity which you can discover in this brilliant video by The Indian Government’s public diplomacy, showcasing different States of India visually.
2. India’s various states contribute to India’s diversity
Each State is well known for distinct cuisines, musical styles, textiles and architecture. On Mastering India learning hub, you can get introduced to Indian Art through a short online course.
Below is an overview of the mouth-watering cuisines, unique to each region, which can be relished to the fullest by visiting that state. Watch this video to relish famous dishes of India visually.
Below are some famous cuisines from across India:
Region | Cuisines |
Uttar Pradesh | Awadhi Cuisine |
Tamil Nadu | Chettinaad Cuisine |
Gujarat | Gujarati Cuisine |
Kerala | Malabari Cuisine |
Orissa | Odia Cuisine |
Each of these cuisines have their own distinctive and famous dishes. Our series on the vastness of India shall cover in greater detail this exquisite subject. Stay tuned for our upcoming course on Indian cuisine.
3. Indian States celebration of State Formation Day
The Indian States of Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Punjab, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu were officially formed on November 1st of the years 1956, 1966 and 2000. Delhi, Chandigarh, Puducherry, Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar were given the status of union territories on November 1st too.
4. British History and Indian State Formation
It is well known that before being annexed by the British, India was comprised of various princely States. Many books have been written and movies released on Indian Maharajas and Queens. Indian history is full of wars fought between Indian kings.
Before colonisation, the British offered their services to fight many of these wars for the Indians kings against one another. However, an interesting piece of history that is often forgotten, is that there were many wars Indian Kings (and Indian Queens) fought against the British East India Company. Eventually, the British colonized India. Here are three videos by Swiss Learning Exchange on the economic history of India. Watching will help you understand how India transitioned from an era of princely states to the current Republic of India. Head to SLX Learning elearning platform for interesting courses on various topics.
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5. What is common amongst States of India ?
Why it is important to know these facts about India’s various States? Knowing that India is made of different states helps one understand India’s diversity. It also brings the comprehension of India’s complexities. as despite this diversity, there are some aspects that are common to all States in India. This blog does not focus on the political aspects.
Culturally, many festivals are celebrated all across India, from North to South and from East to West. For instance, Dussehra is celebrated across several parts India like Tamil Nadu in the South, Uttar Pradesh in the North, Gujarat in the West and in West Bengal in East of India. If you consider that the expanse of India is 2933 kms from East to West and 3214 kms from north to south.
Go to hub.masteringindia.org now to explore the numerous online courses on various aspects of Indian society, which can effectively facilitate your transition to this market; whether to expand your reach or to benefit from Indian expertise and smoothen the operations of your primary market. The efforts of LinkedIn, Nokia, Thales, among others, demonstrate this so well. What are you waiting for?
Hub.masteringindia.org, a multilingual site covering all your learning needs about the business world in India, online, from the comfort of home.
- Published in Blogs, Uncategorized
If the North Pole Melts, Do We Have A Third Pole?
The Third Pole is the largest freshwater reserve in the world outside the Antarctic and Arctic polar regions. It is located to the north of India, encompassing the Tibetan Plateau, and the Himalayas, Hindu Kush, and Karakoram mountain ranges.
Also, it is home to the Siachen glacier, the second-largest glacier in the world, and to the Mount Everest. This vital powerhouse is in danger. Do you know why?
Third Pole of Earth on the Tibetan Plateau
It is the source of 10 major river systems that supply water to 1.5 billion people in Asia – nearly 20% of the world population. These water systems support people in India, Nepal, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
Thus, the Third Pole directly or indirectly supports the lives of a fifth of the world population! It supplies water for agriculture, drinking and sanitation, livelihoods, and hydropower.
Watch this short video to understand the importance of the Third Pole for countries like India, China, and Pakistan.
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The Third Pole consists of 100,000 square kilometers of ice and 46,000 glaciers. However, 509 glaciers have disappeared in the last 50 years, according to the research of Qin Xiang, a glaciologist.
Climate Change and Rising Sea Levels
The rate of melting of glaciers in the Third Pole has doubled since 2005. One of the reasons being, the Tibetan Plateau is experiencing more heating than the global average.
First, it is sensitive given its high elevation. So, it absorbs moisture from warm, moisture-laden air.
By the end of 2030, the world is expected to see an increase in the global average temperature of 1.5oC. However, even if the global temperature rise is below 1.5oC, the Tibetan Plateau will experience a temperature rise above 2oC.
The Third Pole is not just in danger because of global warming. Also, because of emissions from vehicles and coal burners, and industrial pollution.
Besides, carbon particles settle on the glaciers causing increased absorption of sun rays, thus, accelerating the melting process.
Impact of Climate Change on Water
Research suggests that the initial melting of the glaciers would lead to flooding of rivers that originate from the Third Pole. In fact, some of the largest rivers like the Ganga (India), Irrawaddy (Myanmar), Indus (Pakistan), Yellow, and Yangstze (China) face the fear of flooding. While initially the rivers are feared to flood. Flooding will eventually be followed up by drying up of these rivers, and desertification, and a water crisis unleashed across countries.
There are deeper concerns about the changes in the Third Pole on the global climatic patterns. For instance, monsoons and El Nino could be affected. Water scarcity could also lead to further conflicts in regions already having a history of disputes.
Do you see how global warming and climate change lead to a domino effect on human lives, livelihoods, global climates, and relations among countries?
United Nations has held 25 global climate change conferences since 1995. However, global CO2 emissions have been increasing at an alarming rate since then. Also, countries have not been able to tackle climate change. To know why such climate change conferences yielded any efforts, watch this short video.
Climate Action Begins With Us
This is the time to wake up and sense the danger. And to work together to reduce our ecological footprint on the environment.
Keen to learn about global warming, climate change, and the need for sustainable living? Sign up for our courses on sustainable development here!
Greenhouse gases and carbon emissions need to be contained to save the Third Pole from melting. Not only to protect the Third Pole but to prevent all global environmental catastrophes.
Did you know that more than 200 environmental disasters were recorded this year globally, as per Global Catastrophe Recap: First Half of 2020. This was a 27% increase from the number of disasters that occurred in the same period in 2019.
These 207 disasters cost 2200 human lives. Moreover, $57 billion in losses. And, rampant destruction of natural resources. Together we can work towards a better, sustainable future.
Courses on India: Let us Work Together
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Private firms and corporate companies can come together to mitigate such economic losses. And, to protect the planet and to give back to the society that builds them. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is one such way.
In India, CSR became law back in 2014. Consequently, private companies were able to spend a staggering amount of $6.8 billion on CSR activities in the next five years.
Watch this short video to know how CSR can help achieve sustainable development goals faster.
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Working towards a sustainable future for all living beings can happen with your contribution.
Wondering how to take the first step?
Learning about sustainable development and how about one’s role in fueling sustainable growth could be a good start. Sign up for our courses on CSR. This will help you learn about CSR and the opportunities it opens in India for a sustainable future.
References:
Sustainable Financing And The Economics of Sustainability
National Nutrition Week
Health And Nutrition
Since 1982, the National Nutrition Week in India is celebrated from September 1 to September 7. It aims to create awareness on the importance of nutrition and a well-balanced diet for the human body.
Mental and physical well-being, including the consumption of nutrition-rich food, is key for a happy life.
Various cultures of India and their rich diversity is reflected in Indian culinary delicacies. The 72-course Wazwan platter of Kashmir, to Irumba of Manipur, to the famous Hyderabadi dum biryani, to vada paav in Mumbai, to thepla in Gujarat, to avial in Kerala, to pongal in Tamil Nadu – there are delicacies galore across every village, town, and city of India.
Rich cultural traditions, concepts of food science, and interstate migration have enriched India’s food diversity over the years. Such food leaves one’s tummy and the taste buds happy.
India has 36 entities (28 states and 8 federally administered territories), and each one has a different food culture. That is the richness of India! However, outside of India, this fact is not well known. Lack of this knowledge results in an incomplete understanding of not just India’s diversity, but also of the immense treasure trove on information on nutrition and well-being. To understand how Indian food is much more beyond lentils, rice, and spices, you should watch this video which is short and will take less than 2 minutes of your time:
We aim to bring you such nutrition filled nuggets of info on our channel. If you liked this video, don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more videos on Indian culture and economy. And do click on the bell icon.
Indian Culture And The Importance of Food
In India, food is key to the overall development of the mind and body. Food is an integral part of Indian culture. As per Ayurveda philosophy, you are what you eat.
Best practices for eating food –one’s posture while sitting for a meal, using hands to eat, cooking in clay pots, eating in moderation, the tableware one eats in, to the combination of food items being consumed – are important to Indians. In some areas, brass or silver tableware is used for serving and consuming food. In Kerala, for example, on social occasions, food is eaten on plantain leaves.
India is beyond the stereotypes used to define it. Test your knowledge of India here.
Cooking food involves a proper blend of various grains, lentils, spices, and condiments. Indians also use nuts, wild plants, herbs, seeds and fruits in their cuisines. Besides the main meal, curd, pickle, chutney, and Indian desserts also play an important role in our diet.
For you to improve your knowledge on India, it is important to get a holistic understanding of this diverse land. We bring to you e-learning courses on Indian business, culture, policies and on Hinduism. To learn about the diverse and vibrant Indian culture, and India’s economy, enroll for our courses here.
COVID-19: Nutrition And Well Being
In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, nutrition and well-being are more important now. With restricted access to outdoor and physical activities, it is difficult to manage one’s mental and physical well-being. However, it is also essential to take small steps towards good health and well-being. We elaborate 5 simple steps to improve health and nutrition.
1. Set A Routine
Routines help manage time well. Chalk out time for work, sleep, eating, preparing meals, and activities like reading and exercising.
2. Have Healthy Meals
With most buying activity happening online now, one may be tempted to have meals delivered at their doorstep. But, eating healthy has two-fold advantages. One can cut out junk and unhealthy food – unhealthy sugars, fats, and carbs. Cooking meals helps one take time off work and online activities and spend some time cooking what they prefer.
3. Choose Slow Food Instead of Fast Food
Slow-cooked food retains the nutrients and is more flavourful than fast-cooked food. It is good for the development of the mind and the body and is healthy. A leading NGO provides slow-cooked mid-day meals to students in Indian public schools. They are doing this to ensure that the students continue with their schooling. Yes, lack of access to food affects education and vice versa. Watch how they are ensuring education for 1.7 million students every day.
Liked the video? Make sure you check out our interesting courses across subject areas. SLX Learning is an online learning hub based in Switzerland educating learners around the world. We are rooted in the concept of sustainability. You can sign up for our courses here.
4. Maintain Hygiene
Nutrition and hygiene go together for health and wellness. Ensure you clean your hands with a sanitizer or soap frequently and avoid touching your face repeatedly. Sanitize your house and workstation frequently. Given how zoonotic diseases like COVID-19 are on a rise, it is essential to be wary of unclean surroundings and practice personal hygiene.
While touchless greetings are in place in most of the world only after the pandemic hit us globally, it has been the norm in India since forever. This video tells you that.
If you liked the video above, we are certain that you will love our blended learning courses that are tailored for different types of learners. Enroll for our courses on India today!
5. Don’t Waste Food
The discussion on food is incomplete without a discussion on food wastage. The UN estimates that globally, 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted every year. On the other hand, globally, 1.9 billion people fail to find access to regular and healthy meals thus are undernourished or malnourished.
Even across India, tonnes of excess food gets wasted or are lost in harvesting, transport, processing, or storage. This happens while 194 million people in Indian go hungry every year.
To know how food insecurity goes beyond food production, watch this video.
Food insecurity is linked to poverty, and in turn to undernourishment, wasting, and stunting in children. In the 2019 Global Hunger Index, India ranked fell to 102 out of 117 countries – the lowest in South Asian countries.
While the number of undernourished people has fallen across the millennium in India, there is a need to reduce food wastage and produce food sustainably.
70% of the world’s freshwater is spent on agriculture. Besides, by 2050, we will have to feed 9 billion people, which will need more water and more land. This calls for reducing food wastage on a personal front, and to grow food sustainably.
References:
Theories and Principles of Sustainability: Looking Back in Time
Collaborative India – Your Next Expansion Destination!
The advancements in technology over the recent decades have vehemently contributed to creating a globally interconnected hub. Thanks to the internet, propagation of news and information happens blazingly fast. Is this interconnectedness the precursor to a global nation, currency, and workforce? Well, the global workforce potential has been leveraged for decades now and many multi-nationals expand internationally to make the most of the talent and expertise of humans from across the globe. And India is one such hub!
Companies like Google, Thales, Amazon, Microsoft, HP, Rolls Royce, Airbus, Nokia, among others (it’s a huge list!) have established themselves in India to overcome the challenges of finding the right talents for propelling advancement and innovation. Every day, millions of Indians actively contribute to the betterment of the world: IT, R&D, finance and support functions are all catered for at global scale in locations like Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, among others.
Watch: Doing Business in Modern India
What are businesses and organizations missing out on by not collaborating with India?
Expertise
With the tech talent gap widening each year, as testified by ardent endeavors from education ministries of western countries to encourage youths into the scientific stream, investing in India helps respond to the growing need of technological experts.
Costs
The lower costs of running a business in India translates into more capital available to enhance processes beneficial to the success of the organization in the long run.
Economic Stability
The exponential economic growth seen in India over the last few years has been largely facilitated by a strong democracy, key structural reforms, an increase in government investment and private consumption.
Business Reforms
To attract foreign investments, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) restrictions have been considerably relaxed in the country. This results in India being ranked to the 63rd position on the World’s Bank Doing Business 2020 study. World Bank’s Country Director in India, Junaid Ahmad, praised India’s leadership and decisive actions to facilitate foreign investments despite being a large and complex economy.
Consumer Market
India’s large and healthy middle class makes it an interesting consumer market and ranks 3rd out of 141 economies for market size according to the WEF’s Global Competitiveness Index.
The right atmosphere for conducting business is available in India. Welcoming of foreigners and acceptance of a diversified culture can be traced back to its roots and is very much a part of Indian ethos even today. This trait of openness and acceptance of global culture is what makes India hospitable to international business ventures.
Language
English is widely spoken and is mostly the medium for business in India. A great majority of professionals are educated in English medium which sets the rhythm for seamless communication.
Accessibility
With thirty-four international airports and thirteen major ports, India is within easy reach globally.
Technology
As of 2018, twenty submarine internet cables link India digitally to the rest of the world, which effectively connect offices scattered across the globe in real-time.
With all the right elements already in place, businesses stand to benefit hugely from the offerings available in India. To facilitate their transition to Indian soil, foreign companies can build up on the resources available on masteringindia.org
- Published in Blogs
Demystifying India
Written by Divya Badri, with inputs from Shruti Rao
If you want to do business in India, then you need to understand India. Knowing India becomes important because it is a complex nation. It is therefore vital to develop your culture quotient when approaching India.
Indian culture is possibly around 10,000 years old and it is incredibly diverse and well known for this diversity. This incredible diversity could come as a surprise to many. The culture becomes a part of everyday interaction, whether it is for personal communication or building businesses. The diversity of Indian food, language, lifestyle, all changes not only from state to state but also from different regions within the states. All these make India seem mysterious for those coming from conformist and homogenised societies. Doing business in India means being able to understand not only the urban and globalized citizens of the country, but also the many others who live on the subcontinent outside the urban cities. All of these myriad Indians together carry forward ancient traditions and culture of the land.
Watch: Doing Business in India
An Emerging India
India is an important emerging market and this ancient civilization has fast become a global IT hub. The country’s economy is rapidly developing. This growth has propelled many multi-national companies to invest and establish themselves in the Indian market. At the core of their success or failure has been their ability to connect with the Indian market. On the other hand, Indian companies are reaching out to global markets and whether you are in India or not, chances are you must have engaged with Indians abroad for work. Being armed with information on Indian culture, Indian business practices and just being able to understand India, in general, will go a long way in nurturing strong relationships.
Read: Culture Quotient
Experiencing India
Alan Rosling, Author of ‘Boom Country: The New Wave of Indian Enterprise’ once advised a forum, “Go to somewhere, where there is going to change. And, what more change could there be than the biggest, fastest-growing emerging market in the world (India)”. He could not be more right! If you are planning on doing business in India, then pick up an online course to understand India. Courses on India should be able to give you information about not only the culture of India but also how multi-national companies customize their products for the Indian market.
It is important that you not only pick up courses in India but also find experiences or events which will enable you to understand India deeply. Shekhar Gupta, Editor-in-chief, The Print once said, “If you want to know more about diversity, democracy and have a few healthy arguments with of course great food and great places to see, come to India”. His advice was spot on! You also need to be able to live experiences or attend events to get a more holistic view of what it means to work in India.
Read: What it means to understand a country like India?
Mastering India’s Culture
Understanding the culture of India should be one of the key elements while deciding business strategies for foreign and domestic companies in India. Whether you are a foreign organization trying to do business in this country or a domestic organization trying to start a business in another region, India should not be a mystery to you. Mastering India – a blended learning hub for all things India is here to simplify the process. We will arm you with the knowledge on how to approach India for business not only through online courses but also through events and experiences! Events and experiences will help you gain a more holistic understanding of the subject matter at hand. So, what are you waiting for? Hurry and sign up with Mastering India today!
Watch: Emerging Markets
- Published in Blogs
What It Means to Understand a Country Like India
Written by Divya Badri with inputs from Shruti Rao
You are trying to understand a country like India, but you do not know where to begin. There is no one way to understand India. The two popular options that come to mind is either travel in India or do business in India or take up a job in India. Are these effective to improve an understanding of India, the subcontinent? Yes. Are these your only option? No! India is an intricate web of societies and cultures. Every aspect of the country is unique and requires a niche understanding.
Watch: Business In India
Here are some of my suggestions on how to begin learning about India
Learn an Indian language
India is famously known to be the home to one of the oldest languages in the world – Sanskrit. However, another fascinating feature of India is that it is home to more than 800 languages. Anyone who travels to India realizes that knowledge of any one Indian language is seldom sufficient. Only 60% of the Indian population speaks Hindi. The rest 40% speak different languages which have their own historical and cultural significance. If you decide to do business in India or simply travel in India, learning a couple of Indian languages is a very good idea. Quite similar to , if you decide to do business in Europe or work in Europe, learning a few European languages always helps. You could either learn an India language by immersion or online. A good blended learning platform will help you gain knowledge using both techniques.
Learn about Indian culture
Indian culture is one of the oldest cultures which is in practice today. Understanding Indian culture will help you understand the shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviours, and artefacts that the Indian people use to communicate with each other and the world. It is important to learn about Indian culture as it is present in every interaction you will have when you travel to India or look for opportunities in India. Usually, when people talk about the Indian culture, it involves a lot of preconceived notions. When travelling to India or doing business in India you will realize that Indian culture is not static, but dynamic. You will need to understand that Indian culture is much larger than the more visible features like music, food, etc.
Learn the country’s business practices
India is a diverse and populous and thus, it becomes difficult to generalize Indian culture and practices. Doing business in India will require you to learn about the nitty-gritties, starting from greetings and business communications, to business relationships and business culture. Like anywhere in the world, businesses are also influenced by the policy decisions by the government and it is important to understand the Indian policy landscape. India has had a stable policy landscape and has worked a lot on policy reform and has improved its ranking in the World Bank ease of doing business.
Watch: Indo-Swiss Innovation and Investment Forum
Learn about the local cuisine
When one thinks about Indian food the first two things that come to mind are – curry, cumin and chickpeas. This is because this is the prevailing Indian food that is available in western nations, adapted to western audiences. This assumption will restrict you from enjoying the whole palette of sophisticated flavours of Indian cuisine, because real Indian food is quite different. Whether you intend to travel to India, look for opportunities in India or simply want to try your hand at something new, you will find Indian cuisine to be easy and healthy to indulge. Learning about Indian cuisine will enrich you in more ways than one.
Watch: India Bootcamp
There are many Indias within India, however, you only need one platform to learn about all of them. The platform for all things India is Mastering India. You could enrol in a college class or look up videos on YouTube to understand the above topics. However, if you choose to enrol yourself on Mastering India, then you can access all these courses and a lot more in just a click. Mastering India is a platform to learn about India, seen through new eyes. Learning various aspects of India on Mastering India will make working or doing business in India more fruitful.
Mastering India is a platform where you will learn about an emerging market like India from Indians and people who are closely acquainted with Indian practices. Mastering India is a blended learning platform on which you can take assessments to test your knowledge. You can even connect and collaborate with likeminded people on Mastering India. The platform helps you learn different topics through micro-learning courses, but also through events and experiences. Experiences enable enhanced learning by immersing you into the culture and you gain a more holistic understanding of the topic. So sign up today and start – Mastering India!
- Published in Blogs
The Two Big Elections
Both lands are democratic and the people of the land chose who will represent them. Which two lands are we talking about here?
European Union and India
We have compared the two on similarities and differences on eight different points
- Periodicity
- Voter turnout
- Number of voters
- Number of seats being fought over for votes
- What is the term given to the elected representatives
- Number of geographies covered during the elections
- Duration of Polling
- Methods of voting
Get all this information in less than a minute in our video that is rich with visuals on the two biggest democratic elections that took place recently.
- Published in fäctli